BA (Honours) Humanities: German pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin your studies with the compulsory 60-credit module The arts past and present (AA100)The arts past and present::This broadly-focused course introduces you to university-level study in the arts across a range of subject areas - art history, classical studies, English, history, philosophy, music and religious studies. It is structured around four themes, in order to guide you through some of the basic concerns of arts subjects: Reputations; Tradition and Dissent; Cultural Encounters; and Place and Leisure. Your studies will range from poetry to string quartets, and from sculpture to short stories – across a wide variety of cultures and historical periods. This key introductory Level 1 course is also a useful means of acquiring the key skills required for further study of arts and humanities subjects.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q03-7,module,AA100,,1, an absorbing and broad-based grounding in the arts and humanities, including:

• history    
• philosophy
• music
• literature
• art history
• classical studies
• religious studies.

You’ll develop essential study skills while engaging with a wide range of topics, periods and approaches and enhancing your enjoyment and understanding of fascinating and diverse aspects of human culture.

As a beginner in German, you’ll start with Rundblick: beginners' German (L193)Rundblick: beginners' German::This key introductory Level 1 course – Rundblick: beginners' German – is designed to develop the skills you need to speak and understand simple German in everyday contexts. It explores life in German-speaking countries and communities worldwide through topics relevant to adult learners – such as impressions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland; travelling; lifestyles; cultural events; and technology. Study resources include printed books, a dedicated website with online activities and resources and audio recordings – which support independent learning. Together, they’ll give you not just language skills but a real feel for German-speaking countries and communities too.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q03-7,module,L193,,1, a carefully designed beginners’ module that helps you speak and understand German in a wide range of practical situations, while exploring life in German-speaking communities. You’ll build on this study in Auftakt: intermediate German (L130)Auftakt: intermediate German::Auftakt: intermediate German follows on from Rundblick: beginners’ German (L193). It revises and consolidates the knowledge of German you already have and teaches more advanced language in the context of German-speaking countries and communities. Study resources – including printed course books and online interactive activities – are carefully designed to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide clear learning objectives, guidance and model answers. This key introductory Level 1 course also teaches good study skills and language-learning strategies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q03-7,module,L130,,1. It further develops your proficiency and confidence in understanding, writing and speaking German. You’ll also continue your study of German-speaking culture and gain insights into many aspects of life in Germany and Austria and the issues that concern German-speaking people. 

Stage 2

You’ll progress in your specialist study with the 60-credit module Motive: upper intermediate German (L203)Motive: upper intermediate German::This course builds on Auftakt: intermediate German (L130), or equivalent knowledge. It will extend your language skills, enhance your cultural knowledge and develop the skills needed to study at a higher level. You’ll learn to communicate in a wide range of situations; express your opinions; report what other people have said; explain processes and trends; communicate by email, letter and telephone; make structured notes; and write different types of text. You’ll also improve your command of grammar and vocabulary. A compulsory residential school takes place in Germany (or you can study an online alternative).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q03-7,module,L203,,1 which blends interactive online audio-visual with print resources to give you a structured overview of key aspects of life in the German-speaking world today. Topics include: the world of work, art and the media, faith and belief, and contemporary social history.

You could decide to complete Stage 2 by continuing your study of interdisciplinary humanities. Alternatively, you can choose from a wide range of modules covering art history, classical studies, classical languages, creative writing, heritage studies, literature, music, English language, philosophy, religious studies, history, French and Spanish. Before you decide, you should think ahead to Stage 3, because most modules recommend you should study a particular Level 2 module first.

These modules can be studied in any order and throughout this stage, you’ll continue to develop your critical thinking, writing and analysis skills. You’ll also begin to work and think more independently in relation to a range of problems and questions posed by your course of study.

Stage 3

Your specialist study concludes with the 60-credit module Variationen: advanced German (L313)Variationen: advanced German::This course follows on from Motive: upper intermediate German (L203). It continues to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of contemporary Germany and German-speaking countries, and to extend the practical skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The study resources include online authentic audio and video, comprising interviews, documentaries and reportages, and illustrated printed materials. You will also develop your academic writing, critical and analytical skills, and intercultural competence. The course has six themes that give both broad and focused coverage of different aspects of historical and contemporary Germany and German-speaking countries.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q03-7,module,L313,,1. You’ll use authentic print, audio, video and online resources to familiarise yourself with everyday genres such as interviews and discussions.  You’ll develop intercultural awareness and critical and analytical skills and learn how to write for an academic audience. Topics include: regionalism, migration, key events in German and Austrian history, film and literature.

You can also choose from a wide range of modules covering art history, classical studies, creative writing, literature, music, English language, philosophy, religious studies, history, French and Spanish. You should bear in mind that most of these modules recommend that you have studied a particular Level 2 module first.

(If you live in England and intend to apply for a student loan, please note that some of the Level 3 history options are produced in collaboration with other universities and are therefore not eligible for student loan funding.)

These modules can be studied in any order and being at Level 3, you’ll work more independently than you did at Levels 1 and 2, devoting some of your study time to exploring topics and issues in greater detail.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.