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LAC3001 Language and the Contemporary World

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
LAC 3001 87553 1, 2009 ONC Language and the Contemporary World 1.00 Toowoomba
Academic group: FOART
Academic org: FOA003
Student contribution band: 1
ASCED code: 091503

Contents


STAFFING

Examiner: Gabriela Pohl
Moderator: Brian Musgrove


REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: LAC2002 or for German strand GER2102 or for Chinese strand CHI2022


SYNOPSIS

This course raises students' language skills to beginning intermediate level, equipping them to comprehend set texts in their original language. Students will be expected to read accounts of important contemporary issues occurring in Germany or China published in German or Mandarin. Culturally, the course focuses upon vital contemporary issues and the processes of social change occurring in Germany and China at the present and relates these changes to national histories previously studied. The course demonstrates how contemporary changes appear in German and Chinese popular culture, and examines the evolving regional role of both nations: Germany in the Europen Union and China in rapidly developing East Asia. LAC3001 builds on the skills and concepts acquired in LAC1001 to LAC2002. Emphasis in class activities (3 hrs per week) is on the application of language and cultural concepts introduced in course materials and prepared by studetns in independant study and practice prior to attending class. Important: Students in this course must elect to enrol in either the German or Mandarin Chinese stream.



OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.
Language: a. demonstrate intermediate levels of speaking and listening skills in German/Chinese b. demonstrate intermediate levels of reading and writing skills in German/Chinese c. show refined pronunciation skills in German/chinese d. competent application of all relevant rules of phonology, morphology, syntax, orthography and grammatical structures to express elaborate or specific meaning e. for German: demonstarte knowledge anbd application of up to 2250 words and phrases. for Chinese: demonstrate knowledge and application of up to 1700 characters and phrases equivalent to Elementary/Intermediate level required for HSK(Chinese Standard Test)
2.
Culture: 1. knowledge of important contemprary issues in the relevant county 2. appreciation of divergent views on selected political, social, environmental, and/or economic issues 3. appreciation of how contemporary issues are reflected in the relevant country's popular culture 4. the ability to critically discuss and state a personal position on selected contemporary issues
3.
USQ Graduate Skills: 1. Ethical Research and Inquiry completely apply academic norms and practices underpinning academic integrity 2. Problem Solving draw on a broad range of language patterns to assemble for application in a wider range of new contexts 3. Academic and Professional Literacy (refer to Language and Culture Objectives above) 4. Written and Oral Communication a. effectively engage with target audiences in oral and written communication b. demonstrate refined presentation skills 5. Interpersonal Skills: adjust their dominant communication style to achieve better interpersonal outcomes in multicultural or multilingual settings 6. Teamwork make regular, timely and quality contirbutions to th eaccomplishment of group tasks and objectives 7. Cultural Literacy a. appropriately interact in a borad range of social and formalcontexts of the relevant culture(s) b. demonstrate awaareness of and the capacity to accommodate cultural differencesin interpersonal encounters 8. Management, Planning and Organisational Skills a. act on performance feedback in an effective, profesisonal and timely manner b. complete more complex and high stake tasks largely independently, using well developed planning, organisational and time-management skills 9. Creativity, Inititative and Enterprise demonstrate regular use of quality an current resourses to stay informed on issues of social, political and cultural interest in the relevant culture


TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. Language component of this course
 70.00
2. Culture component of this course
 30.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

2002, New Practical Chinese Reader, Textbook 3, Liu Xun, Beijing Language and Culture University Press.
(FOR CHINESE)

New Practical Chinese Reader, Audio 4 CD Textbook 3, Beijing Language and Culture University Electronic.
(FOR CHINESE)

Airlie, M & Littlejohn, J 2006, Collins German Dictionary, 6th edn, Harper Collins, Glasgow/New York.
(FOR GERMAN)

Motyl-Mudretzkyj, I & Sp'inghaus, M 2005, Anders gedacht: text and context in the German-speaking world, Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
(FOR GERMAN)

Spainghaus, M 2005, Ubungsbuch - Anders gedacht (Available: ).
(FOR GERMAN)

Wu Jingrong 1999, Chinese-English Dictionary, Commercial Press.
(FOR CHINESE)



REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Angle, SC 2002, Human rights and Chinese thought a cross-cultural inquiry, Cambridge University Press (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10019056).
(FOR CHINESE Online References http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10019056)

Barron, A 2003, Acquisition in interlanguage pragmatics learning how to do things with words in a study abroad context, J. Benjamins Pub. Co., Amsterdam, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10032036).
(FOR GERMAN Online References)

DuFon, MA & Churchill, E 2006, Language learners in study abroad contexts, Multilingual Matters, Buffalo, NY, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10120619).
(FOR GERMAN)

Durrell, M Using German synonyms, Cambridge University Press, New York, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10014989).
(FOR GERMAN)

Fayndrich, C & Ulrike, T 2000, Klipp und klar: bungsgrammatik Grundstufe Deutsch, Klett, Stuttgart.
(FOR GERMAN Print Copy References)

Fewsmith, J China since Tiananmen the politics of transition, Cambridge University Press, New York, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10005724.).
(FOR CHINESE Online References http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10005724.)

Gamer, RE 2003, Understanding contemporary China, 2nd edn, Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder.
(FOR CHINESE Print Copy References)

Hachenburger, P & Jackson, P 2000, Topics, questions, keywords a handbook for students of German, Routledge, London (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10094979).

James, P 1998, Modern Germany politics, society and culture, Routledge, London, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10099147).

Ny ri, P, Breidenbach, J & NetLibrary Inc 2005, China inside out contemporary Chinese nationalism and transnationalism, Central European University Press (Available: http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=126839 An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information).
(FOR CHINESE Online References http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=126839 An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information)

Ross, C & Ma, J 2005, Modern mandarin chinese grammar : a practical guide, Routledge, London.
(FOR CHINESE Print Copy References)

Starkman, RA 2006, Transformations of the new Germany, 1st edn, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, ebrary Inc. (Available: http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10155130).
(FOR GERMAN)

Tubilewicz, C & NetLibrary Inc 2006, Critical issues in contemporary China, Routledge ; [In Association with] Open University of Hong Kong Press (Available: http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=126839 An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information).
(FOR CHINESE Online References http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=126839 An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information)

Wendt, HF 1992, Langenscheidts Grammatiktafel Deutsch, Langenscheidt, Berlin.

Yip, P, Rimmington, D, Zhang, X & Henson, R 1998, Intermediate Chinese a grammar and workbook, Routledge (Available: ).
(FOR CHINESE Online References http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisouthernqld/Doc?id=10017389 http://www1.chinaculture.org/)



STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY HOURS
Assessments 6.00
Private Study 120.00
Tutorials 39.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date Objectives assessed Graduate skill Level assessed Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1 100.00 10.00 24 Mar 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 1)
TEST 1 - SHORT WRITTEN 100.00 20.00 31 Mar 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT 2 100.00 15.00 28 Apr 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 3)
TEST 2 - Short Written 100.00 20.00 05 May 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 4)
ASSIGNMENT 3 100.00 15.00 28 May 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 5)
TEST 4 - SHORT WRITTEN 100.00 20.00 11 Jun 2009 All U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 (see note 6)
NOTES
1.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.
2.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.
3.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.
4.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.
5.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.
6.
All due dates are preliminary and willbe confirmed when the teaching timetable is finalised.

GRADUATE QUALITIES AND SKILLS

Elements of the following Graduate Skills are associated with the successful completion of this course.

Graduate skill assessed

Level assessed
Ethical Research & Enquiry (Skill U1) Advanced (Level 3)
Problem Solving (Skill U2) Advanced (Level 3)
Academic & Professional Literacy (Skill U3) Advanced (Level 3)
Written & Oral Communication (Skill U4) Advanced (Level 3)
Interpersonal Skills (Skill U5) Advanced (Level 3)
Teamwork (Skill U6) Advanced (Level 3)
Cultural Literacy (Skill U7) Advanced (Level 3)
Managmt, Planning & Org Skills (Skill U8) Advanced (Level 3)
Creatvty, Initiative & Entrprse (Skill U9) Advanced (Level 3)

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    In order to achieve course objectives, attendance at and participation in all learning activities are strongly advised. These are important factors in the development of oral and aural skills and as such will be monitored regularly and cumulatively. Students absent from classes are responsible for obtaining and completing all work and homework covered during their absence and for informing themselves of announcements regarding course-related activities and administrative matters.
  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
  6. Examination information:
    The exam for this course is a CLOSED examination, and candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Any makeup/outstanding assessment must be completed by a date set by the examiner.
  8. University Regulations:
    Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9. (a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must either submit online or despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Online submission must be made by 12 midnight on the due date. (b) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (c) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (d) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (e) Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
10. Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in the course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect to achieve the same grades as those students who do possess them.
11. Students will require access to email and have internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.
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