German Honours

Offered by: Faculty of Arts
Convener: Dr Roger Hillman
Administration: School of Language Studies

Admission requirements
For the degree with Honours in German Studies the program extends over four years and consists of:

(a) ten later-year German courses (i.e. later-year core language courses and thematic courses) to the value of at least 60 units;
(b) completion of BA pass degree requirements;
(c) a Fourth-Year Honours program as described below.

Candidates for Honours are expected to maintain at least a Credit average in their German courses, with results for three courses normally at Distinction level or better.

Exceptions to (a) above:
(i) Students entering core language courses at the Intermediate German 1 GERM2105 level may take up to two later-year courses outside German. These need to be approved by the Convener on the basis of their relevance and should come from one of the following areas: Applied Linguistics, Linguistics or Translation Studies. Courses from other areas (e.g. Contemporary Europe) maybe approved by the Convener if found suitable.

(ii) Students entering core language courses at the Advanced German 1 GERM3007 level may take up to three later-year courses outside German. These need to be approved by the Convener on the basis of their relevance and should come from one of the following areas: Applied Linguistics, Linguistics or Translation Studies. Courses from other areas (e.g. Contemporary Europe) may be approved by the Convener if found suitable.

(iii) To enter the Honours program from first-year level GERM1021 and GERM1022 will require special permission, which might only be granted after a special language proficiency test, or a period of studying overseas at a German-speaking university.

The Fourth-Year Honours Program

The Honours program consists of:

(a) two coursework components, each worth 20%;
(b) a thesis of 12,000 - 15,000 words, written in German unless a compelling case can be made for an exemption, worth 50%; and
(c) a thesis-related seminar, worth 10%.

Coursework
The coursework components can include courses in other discipline areas or Honours programs approved as suitable within the student's overall program. Where students' coursework is not specifically designed as an Honours course, students will need to do extra reading and longer essays.

Where a student's active command of German is seen as needing improvement, practical studies aimed at increasing proficiency may be prescribed as part of the Honours Year.

Combined Honours
The German component in the program of a student who wishes to do combined Honours in this discipline and another discipline is the following:

(a) a minimum of 48 units from later-year courses counting towards German Studies;
(b) half the normal coursework of the German Fourth-Year Honours program;
(c) a minor thesis, to be determined after consultation between the two disciplinary areas or Schools concerned.

Courses Offered in 2009

Fourth Year
GERM4005F German IV Honours (full time)
GERM4005P German IV Honours (part time)

Further Information

Prospective fourth-year students should discuss their plans with the Convener well in advance.

Such students are strongly encouraged to consider taking part of their German studies (for credit) at a German-speaking university, and should again consult the Convener well in advance. Overseas study, however, is not a requirement.

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