Undergraduate Teaching 2017-18

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4M2: German, 2017-18

Engineering Tripos Part IIB, 4M2: German, 2017-18

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Leader

Mr A Bleistein

Timing and Structure

Lent term. Course given at Intermediate and Advanced Levels; Assessment: 100% coursework

Prerequisites

German at Middle Intermediate Level or higher

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • Be confident in communicating in the target language, especially in a work-related situation, as well as explaining and defending their opinion about specific issues and problems
  • Use the language as a tool to improve their understanding of technology and culture
  • Analyse a topic/an issue presented in German language, compare all the elements at play, synthesise the major points and make a balanced judgement

Content

This module will significantly enhance students’ receptive language skills so that, at the end of this course, students will be able to follow lectures and presentations in their subject area held in German as well as participate actively in question-and-answer sessions on engineering-related topics. By regular training and application of specific productive/expressive language skills, they will further improve their ability to take part in discussions of both general and engineering-related issues. Students will especially receive instruction/training in the delivery of presentations in German to prepare them for participation in international symposiums in German-speaking countries.

Particular emphasis will be put on:

  • the creation of an understanding of the framework of German Engineering
  • following and summarizing, as well as preparing and delivering, presentations in a foreign language

7 Lectures (various speakers) + 7 seminars (Alexander Bleistein)

  • Engineering/Research-Presentations in German (5-6 Lectures)
  • Presentations on cultural/social topics (1-2 Lectures)

 

Seminars

Associated with each lecture will be a one-hour seminar. This may be held before the lecture for preparation, or following the lecture for discussion purposes.

Support will be given with the following language related competences if necessary:

  • How to follow, take notes and summarize a lecture in German
  • How to give an oral presentation in German
  • Engineering related language

Further notes

A list of this year's module talks will be available on Moodle.

Coursework

The students will prepare 3 major pieces of coursework:

  • Two written reports (30% each)
  • Oral presentation (40%)
  • The assignments will be marked for both language and content (50% language, 50% content)

Coursework

Format

Due date

& marks

Coursework activity #1 Report

A structured report of 700 words in German

Learning objective:

  • Analyse, synthesise and/or critically evaluate a topic presented and discussed in class (topic related to science, technology or the culture of the German-speaking world)
     
  • Express ideas in a logical and articulate manner using a range of structures and expressions appropriate to the task and expected at the level of proficiency in German

Individual report (700 words)

Non-anonymously marked

End of week 3

[30%]

Coursework activity #2 Report

A structured report of 700 words in German

Learning objective:

  • Analyse, synthesise and/or critically evaluate a topic presented and discussed in class (topic related to science, technology or the culture of the German-speaking world)
     
  • Express ideas in a logical and articulate manner using a range of structures and expressions appropriate to the task and expected at the level of proficiency in German

Individual report (700 words)

Non-anonymously marked

End of week 5

[30%]

Coursework activity #3 Oral presentation

A structured oral presentation in German (10-15 minutes followed by questions)

Learning objective:

  • Analyse, synthesise and/or critically evaluate a topic presented and discussed in class (topic related to science, technology or the culture of the German-speaking world)
     
  • Express ideas in a logical and articulate manner using a range of structures and expressions appropriate to the task and expected at the level of proficiency in German

Individual oral presentation (10-15 minutes followed by questions)

Non-anonymously marked

Last session (week 8)

[40%]

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

GT1

Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

IA2

Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

P4

Understanding use of technical literature and other information sources.

 
Last modified: 18/12/2017 20:36