History of the German Language

Subject 673-388 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2.5 hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

126015 German Language and Culture 2A and 126016 German Language and Culture 2B.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

Leo Kretzenbacher

heinz@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject offers an historical explanation for aspects of German grammar. The science of historical linguistics is based on a hypothesis, that all languages in a language family have derived from a common ancestor and, a proven fact, that languages change over time. This subject will deal with both the concept of language change and issues of historical linguistics. Students who complete this subject should have an understanding of the processes that lead to language change; have an understanding of the many 'exceptions' to the grammatical rules of German; have an understanding of the differences that exist between English and German and how these evolved historically; have learnt to consult etymological dictionaries and to interpret the data given; and have gained an appreciation for, and interest in, etymology and historical grammar.

Objectives: .
Assessment:

A 1200 word class paper 30% (due during the semester), and a 2 hour written exam (during the examination period)

Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have acquired skills in research, critical thinking and contextualising information;

  • have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly through oral presentations and essays in German.

Notes:

This subject is taught in German. Formerly available as 126-023. Students who have completed 126-023 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject will only be run if there is a minimum of six participants.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: German
German
German Major

Download PDF version.