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Semester 2

Migration in German-Language Discourse (ELCG08011)

Subject

European Languages and Cultures - German

College

CAHSS

Credits

10

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting Students should have German language skills at CEFR level B1 or above; entry to this course may be subject to a language test on arrival and is at the discretion of the course organiser. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

Language matters. It does not simply reflect an existing reality but rather shapes reality in a way that makes certain actions possible and prohibits (or at least inhibits) others, in the context of given power structures. Discourse analysis is a set of theories and methodologies to trace these social phenomena. In this course, you will learn about discourse analysis and how to apply it to contemporary discourses on migration in the German-speaking countries. Sitting at the intersection between linguistics, social sciences and German studies, this course is ideally suited for students who want to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary German and Austrian society and are interested in the power of language.

Course Description

Migration is globally discussed as one of the major issues of our time, and it is one of the key words in public debate in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For centuries, people have migrated into and out of German-speaking countries; 'Gastarbeiter' and the migrants arriving in Germany in the wake of the recent civil war in Syria are two well-known quite recent examples. It is equally well-known that these migration movements were and still are contested in public debates: reactions cover a broad ground, from the celebration of a climate of welcome ('Willkommenskultur') and attempts to integrate the incoming people into society, to expressions of open hostility, xenophobia and violence. So what is exactly is (and what is not) discussed when we talk about migration? How are migrants or migration movements portrayed in newspaper articles and commentaries, on social media, in political speeches, in law, in literature? And how does this portrayal contribute to a public climate that permits actions as diverse as inviting migrants to live with your family to the burning down of refugee hostels? The course will start with a brief overview of discourse studies as method of academic enquiry, and we will gather a number of different perspectives on migration into and out of the German-speaking countries. Using suitable examples from current or recent debates on migration, we will model the tools of critical discourse analysis in a step-by-step approach, providing you with the opportunity to learn about and practice some key methods in preparation for your own projects. The second half of the course will be dedicated to work on your project. You will work with a small group of other students in an Autonomous Learning Group (ALGs). These groups will be formed in week 1 already and will be responsible to schedule their own meetings and interactions as necessary throughout the semester. Each group will identify an event and a body of texts from the wider migration discourse for closer analysis, and you will apply the knowledge and tools you have acquired to describe and evaluate the discourses as presented in these texts. You will gather your findings in both independent and group work outside the classroom. Each group will produce a group poster to communicate the results of their project. All learning material will be available online, via Learn. You will engage with this material through a range of activities as outlined in the weekly course schedule posted on Learn. These will include contributions to online discussion threads, individual text analyses, comments on other students' posts and reflections on your learning. You will receive regular feedback on your activities from both other students and teaching staff via Learn. Our weekly contact hours will provide you with opportunity to report on the progress of your individual and group work as well as to ask questions and receive further feedback. The course is assessed through coursework only; there is no exam. The summative assessment consists of two components: 1) an academic poster presenting the findings of your group project, to be submitted in week 10; this will be submitted by one student on behalf of the whole group (ALG) and all group members will receive the same mark. 2) an individual reflection on your learning from the course, to be submitted in week 12.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Visiting Students should also take as a co-requisite German 2 Language (ELCG08008).

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