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4. German

Course Fact File

Code	Subject available through multiple programmes
Subject Title	German
Duration	3 or 4 years
Qualifications	BA (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8

Course Outline

The BA (Hons) in German is a three-year degree course focusing on aspects of German literature, history, business, philosophy, theatre and film. German as a joint honours subject can also be combined with Music and with Drama and Theatre Studies. More detailed information about individual module content can be found in the Department on our department page., and in the University Book of Modules.

German can also be taken as a four-year BA International and BA World Languages course in which you will spend Year 3 at one of UCC’s partner universities in Germany or Austria. This degree also offers you the opportunity to study your second subject through German. More information can be found on the German Department website.

A BA International or BA World Languages qualifies you as a mediator between different cultures. Equipped with key analytic and communicative skills, a wide range of job prospects will be open to you in the various fields of cultural and commercial contact in international institutions and companies.

Year 1

Intensive language work in small groups will give you an opportunity to consolidate and deepen your knowledge of German grammar and vocabulary and to become more confident in speaking German.

The literature and culture course is designed to acquaint students with a series of literary, artistic and filmic examples of modern German culture, representing and fuelling cultural developments in Europe and worldwide. Modules include:

• Integrated Language Course
• Introduction to Literature. Theatre and Film.

Modules

All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

Beginner Level:

• GE1103 Integrated Written and Oral German Language Course for Beginners (10 credits) 
• GE1104 Introduction to German Culture and Literature for Beginners  

Non-Beginner Level:

• GE1101 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for German (10 credits)  
• GE1102 Introduction to Literature 

Years 2 and 3

Practical language work continues to play a major part in the form of translation, grammar, discussion and essay writing on topics that will focus your attention on life and society in German-speaking countries and on contrasts and similarities between your environment and the German, Austrian or German-Swiss environment.

Modules in Year 2 include:

• Integrated Language Course
• German Literature from the 18th to 21st centuries

Optional modules include:

• Political and Social Culture since 1945.
• German-Irish relations
• Preparation for the year abroad
• German Love Poetry
• German national identity
• Linguistics

Modules in Year 3 include:

• Advanced Integrated Language Course
• German Film
• Holocaust representations
• Teaching German as a Foreign Language
• Literature, Migration, and Multilingualism
• Literature and Topography
• Nietzsche
• Heinrich von Kleist

You will also develop advanced language skills, intercultural awareness, analytical and critical skills in the areas of literature, culture and society.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Note: In addition to the BA programme, the subject German is also available through the following programmes: CK104, CK105, CK108, CK109, CK110, CK112, CK113, CK118, CK124.

Course Practicalities

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, presentations, in-class tests, learner diaries, practical assignment,s and written and oral end-of-semester examinations.

Why Choose This Course

Key facts

• The German economy is among the strongest in the world, and German graduates are currently in particularly high demand in Ireland
• The department offers small teaching groups, individual attention and access to native speakers
• Students can live abroad for a full academic year, acquire language skills, gain experience, maturity, independence and adaptability
• The study of language, literature, history, culture and film develops critical thinking, analytical and intercultural communication skills

German is the most widely-spoken language in the European Union and was recently designated the most important language for business in the UK.

Studying German opens the gate to the intellectual, economic and cultural riches of Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). It is the language of international icons in, for example, the areas of:

• philosophy (Kant, Marx, Heidegger)
• literature (Goethe, Kafka)
• music (Mozart, Bach, Beethoven)
• film (Fassbinder)
• theatre (Brecht)
• psychology (Freud)
• science (Einstein) 
• religion (Luther)

While studying German with the aim of using it professionally later, you will become aware of how important it is to be knowledgeable about the language within the cultural and historical contexts of the German-speaking countries.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Study abroad

If you are studying through the BA International, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities abroad. The Department of German has a wide range of partner institutions in Germany, including the Universities of Cologne, Leipzig, Konstanz, Hanover, Munich, Potsdam, Bonn, Rostock, Marburg, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bochum) and Austria (Vienna, Klagenfurt).

Students spend Year 3 at one of these institutions. Your stay is organised by the International Education Office of UCC, academically supervised by the German Department, and supported by the EU’s Erasmus scheme. The year abroad is always perceived as an exciting and beneficial experience.

Work placement

The College of Arts offers a work-placement module. The final year module, PX3000, offers students the opportunity to gain recognition for work experience undertaken during the course of their studies.

Skills and Careers Information

Students develop a set of linguistic, intercultural, analytical and critical skills which equip them for professional fields, including:

• education/teaching
• translation/interpreting
• journalism
• film
• theatre
• media
• IT Sector
• international business/export industry
• public sector
• European institutions

Postgraduate Opportunities at UCC

One-year taught MA in German Studies, MPhil (Research), PhD (Research); HDip in Arts (German). German Department Staff also contribute to UCC’s Master’s courses in Translation Studies, Comparative Literature, Applied Linguistics, Drama and Theatre Studies, Film Studies. For further information visit the German Graduate studies page.

Requirements

Refer to CK101 and CK108.

Students selecting Beginners’ German must have obtained at least a grade H3 in another language in the Leaving Certificate examination or equivalent. Students selecting Non-Beginners’ German must have achieved at least a grade H4 in German. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Refer to CK101 and CK108.