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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: GER3026 Module Title: GERMAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: GER3026
Level: HE3 Module Co-ordinator: DIPPOLD D Dr (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 1
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment (SITS MAB)
Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
In-class presentation
40%
Essay (2500 words)
60%
Qualifying Condition(s) 
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This is a Level 3 module for (language). It is taught in the target language, over one semester, three contact hour per teaching week. Attendance is compulsory.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Successful completion of HE 2 or equivalent
Module Aims
The module will provide students with: 
  • the vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary to read and write about and debate aspects of economy and business in Germany.
  • Knowledge and understanding of economic aspects of Germany and the context of Business in contemporary Germany
  • Appreciation of the differences between the UK economy and the German economy. 
Skills to work in or collaborate with industries and businesses in Germany.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, students will:
  • be able to critically evaluate business documents
  • be able to critically engage in debates on the economy and business in Germany
  • be able to extract linguistic structures from the texts under examination and apply them in speaking and writing
  • be able to appreciate the impact of the economy in German society and how the German economy interacts with other economies
Module Content
The following areas are indicative of topics to be covered:

Economy of Germany
Germany in the economic world
Sectors of the German economy
Foreign trade
Role of the State

Case studies
Types of companies
Company structures
Marketing
German workplace culture
German management styles
Women and men in business
Organisational behaviour
Labour law and labour relations
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Teaching will be in small groups. The module is taught in the target language and the stimulus material used will be drawn from a variety of sources, including audio and video media, newspapers and magazines, books and reference works. Students are expected to take part in negotiations, to give presentations and to submit pieces of writing and to evaluate their own and their peers’ work. Students are also required to work collaboratively in class and in the preparation for class.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential Reading
Mussel, G. & Pätzold, J. (2008). Grundfragen der Wirtschaftspolitik. Vahlen Verlag.
Pocket Wirtschaft: Ökonomische Grundbetriffe (2006). Bonn: Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung
Reuvid, J. (2002). Doing Business with Germany. Kogan Page.
Wirtschaft Heute (2009). Bonn: Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung.
 
Background Reading
Becker (2010).Sozialstaat Deutschland: Geschichte und Gegenwart. Dietz.
Collin, P. (2001). The Business German Dictionary. Peter Collin Publishing.
Empter, S. (2007). Soziale Gerechtigkeit – eine Bestandsaufnahme. Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Krafft, D. (2005). Markt Lexikon Wirtschaft. Bertelsmann Verlag.
Das Lexikon der Wirtschaft. Grundlegendes Wissen von A bis Z (2009). Bonn: Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung.
Pocket Politik (2005). Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung.
Siebert, H. (2005). The German Economy: Beyond the Social Market. Princeton University Press, 2005
 
Selected websites
Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung: www.bpb.de
Working with the Germans: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/forwork/beingthere/
Last Updated
14.4.11