Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme who have passed German 1 Beginners and German 2 Pre-Intermediate, or German 1 Intermediate and German 2 Upper-Intermediate. If students have not yet passed German 3 Intermediate or German 3 Advanced, they are expected to follow that course alongside the Language and Culture in Practice: German course.
Description
What happens when you bring your German skills into contact with real-world debates?
In this course, you will apply your linguistic and cultural knowledge to investigate pressing global issues from the perspective of the German-speaking world. Topics include climate change, migration, memory politics, and foreign policy. Using a wide range of authentic materials — including news media, essays, interviews, and academic articles — you'll learn to identify and work with sources that are relevant to International Studies research.
In the first half of the course, you’ll explore case studies through structured activities that develop your ability to read and evaluate German texts in English. In the second half, you’ll carry out a small, independent research project on a topic of your choice. In a collaborative workshop format, you'll present and refine your ideas through peer feedback and guided discussion.
By the end of the course, you will not only deepen your intercultural understanding of the German-speaking world, but also gain the skills to locate, interpret, and use German-language sources as meaningful data or reference in your academic work.
Course objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Identify and critically engage with written and spoken German-language materials — including news media, essays, interviews, and academic articles — relevant to International Studies.
Select and use authentic German sources as data or reference for independent research projects.
Analyze, interpret, and contextualize German texts (both academic and non-academic) within broader cultural, political, and social debates.
Summarize, paraphrase, and evaluate complex German-language materials in clear, accurate English.
Apply their German language skills to real-world issues such as climate change, migration, and global justice, developing greater intercultural literacy and research autonomy.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Seminars are held every week. Attending all seminar sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your lecturer in advance. Being absent at more than two of the sessions will result in a lowering of your participation grade (20% of the end grade) with 0,5 point for each session missed after the first three sessions. Please note that being absent at any session may have a negative impact on the grade of the assignment due for that particular tutorial session. This is at the discretion of the lecturer.
Assessment method
Assessment
Class assignments
Presentation (midterm assignment)
Research report
Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Class assignments | 20% |
| Presentation (midterm assignment) | 30% |
| Research report | 50% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of all assessment components.
Resit
If you fail this course, you can resubmit an improved version of your research report (50% of the final grade). In case of resubmission of the research report (insufficient final grade only) the final grade for the research report will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion. The deadline for resubmission is 10 working days after receiving the grade for the research report.
The exact arrangements with regards to the format and timing of the Midterm assignment (Presentation) can be found in the course syllabus on Brightspace.
Retaking a passing grade
Retaking a passing grade is not possible for this course.
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2025 – 2026.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organised.
Reading list
Reading materials will be made available on Brightspace.
Registration
- Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
All other information.