About German Literature with Language Pedagogy, MPhil, Graduate Diploma - at Trinity College Dublin
AimsThis course is designed to train well-qualified graduates of German Studies in literary critical methodology and to equip them for further research in German literature. As a preparation for a career in third level teaching, it also aims to enrich students' literary knowledge and provides an introduction to language pedagogy (Didaktik Deutsch als Fremdsprache). Taught mainly in German, the course lasts one year for full-time students, two for part-time students, and has five major elements (see below).
DurationThe course starts in the first week of Michaelmas Term at the beginning of October and lasts for one calendar year (full-time students) or two calendar years (part-time students).
ApplicationsThe requirement for admission to the course is a degree or joint degree in German Studies (II.1/ 60%) or equivalent qualification.
Applications for admission must normally reach the Dean of Graduate Studies by 1st April of the year in which admission is sought. (Forms available from Graduate Studies Admissions Office).
Course outlinesThe programme comprises two courses on literary theory and methodology, two seminars in major subjects of study, an introductory course in the teaching of German language proficiency(Didaktik Deutsch als Fremdsprache), and a supervised dissertation.
Students take five modules and must attend and perform satisfactorily in all course components. All but one module are conducted essentially in German. Contact hours per course vary. Praktikum Textarbeit and Didaktik Deutsch als Fremdsprache take the form of fortnightly block sittings over three terms (22 hours each course). Two seminars each take up two hours per week over one term (18 hours each). To facilitate as wide a choice as possible, and to enable students to develop potential specialist research interests, seminars may be replaced by an indivudally tailored guided reading programme or by a Senior Sophister (Final Year undergraduate) option. In the latter case, the class contact is 44 hours and the assessment is based on an additional programme agreed with the relevant tutor, to ensure comparability with the MPhil seminars themselves.
Critical and Cultural Theory entails four hours per week over one term (36 hours).
Depending on the model chosen, class contact is therefore between ca. 110 and ca. 140 hours overall.