The advanced module ger231 provides a basic grounding in medieval studies and is compulsory for students whose degree programme leads to a teaching qualification for upper secondary schools, as well as for those specialising in Area 2: ‘Literature and Linguistics – with a focus on literary studies’.

The module consists of two courses, each comprising two hours per week over the semester: in the introductory seminar, which is offered each winter semester, you will acquire the fundamental skills required to read, understand and translate Middle High German texts. To ensure this is achieved, the module also covers key aspects of the history of the language. Furthermore, as part of the introductory seminar, you will learn research methods in medieval studies and, through the selection of sample texts, gain an initial insight into the diversity of genres in medieval German-language literature.

In the advanced seminar, which is attended in the following summer semester, you will engage in-depth with a literary topic from the field of medieval studies. The assessment consists either of a written exam covering the entire module or a 10–15-page seminar paper on a topic arising from the seminar. The assessment is marked by the lecturer of the advanced seminar, who need not be the same as the lecturer of the introductory seminar you attended (Exception: If the introductory seminar focuses on ‘Middle Low German’, the advanced seminar must also have this focus).

Middle Low German: From the 2020/21 winter semesteronwards , Prof. Dr Doreen Brandt will be offering introductory and advanced seminars with a focus on ‘Middle Low German’ as part of module ger231. These can normally be credited towards the Low German Certificate.

In summary, the following structure applies to module ger231:

Bonus system:

In the introductory seminar, you have the opportunity to voluntarily earn a grade bonus by successfully completing and submitting tests and homework assignments, which allows you to improve (but not lower!) your grade (written exam or seminar paper) by 0.7 or 0.6 respectively If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please sign the relevant form by the second session of the introductory seminar, thereby confirming that you are willing to do so and wish to earn the mark bonus. To earn this bonus, you must successfully complete a certain number of assignments.

At the end of the semester, you will receive a certificate from the lecturer of the introductory seminar confirming that you have successfully completed the relevant tasks. You must submit this certificate at the end of the following summer semester together with your written exam or seminar paper; the examiner will then factor this into your overall examination grade by awarding a bonus of 0.7 or 0.6. For example, you could turn a grade of 3.0 in your seminar paper into an overall examination grade of 2.3.