Learning outcomes

The course aims to enable the student to understand a scientific text written in German in the field of competence for which he/she is destined (philosophy, history, history of art, computer science, law), etc.) The student will be able to identify the basic structures and grammatical notions that enable him/her to understand the overall meaning of a text and the author's intention. The course is open to everyone: students with no previous knowledge of German as well as students who have already studied German. The course aims at acquiring a basic vocabulary common to all disciplines (connectors, conjunctions, expression of time and place, organisation of discourse, etc.) which will enable students to understand with greater ease texts written in German in their respective fields. Important: The course does not focus on oral or written skills.

Goals

Learn to read a scientific text written in German. To reach a level of text comprehension B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Content

The course introduces the student to various reading techniques that enable him/her to understand a scientific text written in a foreign language. The student will learn the basics of German syntax and morphology necessary to read a scientific text. A few hours of theoretical presentation are offered to the student who then exercises the different theoretical points through a series of sentence analysis exercises and finally through the translation of extracts from scientific articles in the different fields of competence of the target audience, i.e. history, history of art, philosophy, etc. All the texts submitted to the students' expertise are authentic documents and therefore guarantee them a sufficient level to read a scientific text.

Assessment method

Continuous assessment 20%. The assessment will be based on a partial test organised in the course at the end of the first term, the modalities of which will be defined according to the material covered in the course sessions. IMPORTANT: Continuous assessment does not lead to an examination during the session. A second session is therefore not possible for this part of the grade. In the second session, the examination is therefore assessed for 100% of the overall mark. Final examination: 80%. 80% of the overall grade will be allocated to an examination in June. Students must demonstrate their ability to read and understand the message of a scientific text.

Sources, references and any support material

The course is based on notes posted online as the course progresses and on face-to-face and/or distance learning question and answer sessions. There is no syllabus: the texts are chosen each time according to the target audience and the students' proposals. A bibliography of useful resources for students will be proposed during the course sessions and developed with the help of the students.

Language of instruction

Français