The course will increase knowledge of and give deeper insight to a limited selection of topics within German language/linguistics and/or foreign language learning. Each topic should be studied from two, or more, different angles to train the ability to assess material independently.

TYS251 or TYS252 is a compulsory part of the specialization in German.

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate

• has obtained broad, general knowledge of central theories, terms and methodologies in the field of German studies.
• has obtained basic knowledge of central problems and methodologies in the selected discipline(s) and in-depth knowledge of a limited subfield.
• is familiar with and able to use relevant communicative genres.

SKILLS

The candidate

• is capable of carrying out and presenting a project in German (in writing and orally).
• is capable of identifying linguistic nuances between Norwegian and German and utilising such differences in both written and oral German.
• is capable of applying precise linguistic and literary terminology to various types of text and various types of problem in his/her own academic work.
• is capable of precisely discussing problems, analyses, interpretations and conclusions within his/her own field.
• is capable of working independently and in the long term on solving problems based on acquired knowledge of the field
• is capable of understanding and critically assessing use of theories, methodologies and interpretations within his/her own field.
• is capable of acquiring and using knowledge of new areas of the field.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

The candidate

• is capable of expressing herself/himself at an advanced level in German, both orally and in writing, and can read advanced texts in German.
• is capable of finding relevant sources and bibliographies both online and offline and of using them critically in his/her own work.
• is capable of carrying out a small-scale supervised research/development project in accordance with current research-ethical norms.
• is capable of using the methodological and analytical tools necessary for carrying out independent research within his/her field.
• is able to continue developing his/her competence and specialisation
• is capable of contributing to discourse in the public arena in areas relevant to the discipline.

It is recommended that students have completed TYS111, TYS112, TYS113 and TYS114 prior to TYS251, or equivalent.

The teaching consists of lectures/seminars.

4 sessions per week.

12 weeks (i.e. 12 double sessions per topic)

If few students register for the course, instruction can be tailored to the number of students. If this is the case, students will be informed of alternate instruction arrangements at the beginning of the semester prior to the registration deadline of Feb 1/Sept 1.

Two appointments for guidance and revisions related to the assignment.

During the semester the students will also give two oral presentations each ca. 10 minutes.

The students choose the topic with their course teacher. The presentations must be approved by the course teacher before it is possible to take the exam.

Coursework is valid for one semester following the semester of instruction.

The exam is a supervised bachelor's thesis and an oral exam that can adjust the final grade. The bachelor's thesis will be written in German with two compulsory appointments for guidance and revisions during the semester, be of about 5000 words, not including Table of Contents, problem statement and bibliography, and be handed in on the 15th of May in the spring semester. The work on the paper will commence after about eight weeks of teaching, and the appointments for guidance and revisions will be settled with the course teacher.

The oral exam (about 30 minutes) is held after the written evaluation, is tied to both the bachelor's thesis and the course curriculum and can raise or lower the result by one grade.

The Bachelor's thesis fulfills the requirements for independent work that is a necessary part of a Bachelor¿s degree.