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Maynooth University

German Literature

The programmes aims to: provide students with an opportunity to specialise in the area of German literature through the study of a broad range of German-language literary texts from the Enlightenment to the present day; to equip students who have little experience of dealing with literary texts with academic, analytical, creative, aesthetic, reflective and presentation skills in order to foster interest and involvement in the study of literature and to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of important concepts of European languages, literatures, cultures and societies, in particular with regard to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The Higher Certificate in German Literature has been developed by the Department of German, Maynooth University to address the needs of those working as teachers of German, graduates of German exploring other career options as well adults with a very good competence in German language who are interested in learning more about the literature and culture of the German-speaking countries.

The Higher Certificate in German Literature aims to

• provide students with an opportunity to specialise in the area of German literature through the study of a broad range of German-language literary texts from the Enlightenment to the present day;

• equip students who have little experience of dealing with literary texts with the necessary academic, analytical, creative, aesthetic, reflective and presentation skills to enable them to engage with literature in a productive way;

• enhance students' knowledge and understanding of important concepts of European languages, literatures, cultures and societies, in particular with regard to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have obtained an honours degree (extending over at least three years) in which German was a major subject amounting to 30% of the credit value of the course as a whole. Applicants who do not possess this type of qualification may also be admitted under certain circumstances, provided that they have German language competence of at least level B2 (European Framework of Reference for Languages). Prospective candidates should contact the Programme Director for advice on their eligibility for the programme.

Minimum English language requirements:
• IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
• TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
• TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
• PTE (Pearson): 62

National University of Ireland Maynooth's TOEFL code is 8850

Duration

1 year

Careers or further progression

The Certificate in German Literature enables graduates working as Post-Primary language teachers to engage with a substantial body of literature through the medium of the foreign language. The course would furthermore constitute an ideal starting point for further study in literary and cultural studies, including the NUI Maynooth MA in German or the MA in Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures: Narratives of Conflict.

Further enquiries

Programme Director Dr Valerie Heffernan
Tel +353 (0)1 7083708
Fax +353 (0)1 7083400
Email German.Department@mu.ie
Website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/german
Address School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Subjects taught

The Higher Certificate in German Literature is a part-time programme that will be delivered in an open learning format incorporating distance learning and intensive workshops. It comprises a set of four 5-credit modules on which students will be examined by continuous assessment.

9 x 4-hour workshops 36 hours

Planned home-based learning activities 88 hours

Independent student activities 144

Total 268 hours

There will be a 4-hour introductory workshop at the start of the course. Each 5-credit module will also involve two 4-hour module workshops as well as ongoing scheduled activities and independent study. The nine workshops, normally organised on Saturdays, will provide an opportunity for participants to familiarise themselves with a variety of approaches to the course texts, to present and discuss their ideas about the texts they have read at home and to critically reflect on the way in which literature both reflects and feeds into issues of relevance to the societies in which the authors are writing.

There are two options for completing the Higher Certificate in German Literature:
• a 1-year part-time option, where students complete two 5-credit modules each semester and
• a 2-year part-time option, where students complete one 5-credit module each semester.

Before registration for the 1-year part-time programme, students should agree a study plan with the Programme Director.

Modules
Semester 1
GN211D LITERATURE & SOCIETY 1 (Distance)
GN311D LITERATURE & SOCIETY 3 (Distance)

Semester 2
GN221D LITERATURE & SOCIETY 2 (Distance)
GN321D LITERATURE & SOCIETY 4 (Distance)

Comment

Maynooth University is one of the main centres of research in the study of modern languages, literatures and cultures in Ireland, offering MA programmes and MLitt and structured PhD studies in each of the constituent disciplines. In addition to French, Spanish, German and Chinese; Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan and Breton are taught in the School. The SMLLC offers personal supervision and teaching by renowned experts in a wide variety of fields, innovative areas of research and a lively intellectual environment.

The Department of German has a very vibrant research culture and offers postgraduate students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the main concepts of German language, literature and culture, based on the fundamental intellectual skills of analysis, reflection, conceptual and critical thinking.

Assessment method

Assessment Procedure

Participants will be expected to attend all course workshops, to prepare for those workshops by reading prescribed material, and to participate fully in the group process and learning. All four modules involved in the Higher Certificate in German Literature will be assessed by continuous assessment, which may involve a combination of methods such as essays, presentations at module workshops, reaction papers and/or critical analysis of short excerpts from text. Participants will be advised on how to prepare for these and will receive feedback on their progress throughout the course.

Application date

All applications should be made through the PAC system.

Closing Date : 30 June 2020

Course fee

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.