Undergraduate Study Programme (USP)
of the School of German Language and Literature
from academic year 2020-21
The Undergraduate Study Programme (USP) of the School of German Language and Literature aims to foster young scientists with an excellent, in-depth knowledge of the School’s subjects. Students are motivated to acquire a strong theoretical background and use suitable methodological tools in order to conduct research at a higher level of studies and in multidisciplinary contexts. Furthermore, students develop critical thinking skills and, by linking theory to practice, nurture the skills required for them to teach in a variety of educational settings, and carry out diverse professions related to their studies at the School.
More specifically, the USP offers students a range of scientific knowledge and skills that involve:
- the broad area of Linguistics, with a focus on theoretical and empirical research into linguistics,
- the broad field of Literature, with a focus on the study of texts from German literature, which are placed in their historical and cultural context, and also in the framework of the European history of ideas and literary theory in general,
- the subject of Comparative Literature, which allows them to make correlations between authors and movements beyond the boundaries of national literature, study various forms of intertextuality and the relation between texts, arts, new media and sciences,
- the teaching of German as a foreign language both in relation to conventional educational forms and through the use of digital technology, in various educational contexts and intercultural settings,
- the broad area of Translation Studies, with a focus on the theory and methodology of translation and interpretation, along with the diachronic and synchronous study of translation and interpretation practices and approaches. Furthermore, students can practice translating literary, general and specialized texts, along with both conference and community interpreting.
Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence (CPTC) ΠΠΔΕ
In the framework of the present Undergraduate Study Programme, the School of German Language and Literature provides students with a Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence (OGG 2281/05-07-2017). The Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence (CPTC) is a prerequisite for those taking part in ASEP competitions and for the preparation of educator ranking lists per sector and specialization, for the purpose of being appointed or recruited in both primary and secondary education (L. 3848/2010, article 2).
Students admitted in the academic year 2013/14 onwards are eligible to acquire a CPTC; however, this is not a requirement for them to enter an ASEP competition.
On the other hand, for students admitted in the academic year 2015/16 onwards, the CPTC is a requirement for entry in an ASEP competition (L. 4485/04.08.2017, Article 83, par. 13).
Diploma Supplement
The Department issues a Diploma Supplement to all graduates, which is an explanatory document with information on the nature, level and broader framework of their studies, their content and status, and a Ranking Table of the graduates’ grades based on the grades of those who graduated in the previous two academic years. Its purpose is to promote transparency and facilitate the academic and professional recognition of the graduates’ qualifications, particularly outside the borders of their country of origin. The Diploma Supplement does not replace the degree; it is attached to the latter and is automatically issued at no charge both in Greek and in English.
Examinations
Each subject is examined either through written or oral examinations, or through a written assignment, or a combination of the above methods, in Greek or in German. Courses are taught, and assignments and examinations written, mainly in the German language.
Please note that according to the Assembly of the School of German Language and Literature and L 4009/2011 article 33 par. 10, only students who have failed the same course three times taught by the same teacher have the right to a re-examination, upon their relevant request.
The request is submitted to the School’s Registrar (Monday to Friday, 12:00pm-13:00pm) during the following periods of each academic year: 1-15 October and 15-28 February.
First Cycle Studies - Programme
The Undergraduate Study Programme follows a four-year cycle (8 academic semesters). To acquire their degree, students must complete a minimum of 240 ECTS (ECTS: credits, whereby the ECTS-workload ratio has been estimated as being 1 ECTS = 25 hours of study). The Programme is divided into two Study Cycles. The First Cycle Studies consist of Basic Studies that include a cycle of compulsory core subjects, while the Specialization Cycle includes courses that specialize in the relevant subjects.
The 240 credits (ECTS) required in order to acquire the degree of the School of German Language and Literature are divided into Basic Studies and the Specialization Cycle, as presented in detail below.
To better monitor their course progress, students can use the course completion chart and update it with their grades, so that they are aware of how many subjects and ECTS are still required for them to obtain their degree.
Basic studies (126 ECTS)
The Basic Study Cycle accounts for 126 ECTS. Students acquire a basic knowledge of all subjects offered by the School, and aim to develop their German language skills. To this aim, students attend three compulsory German language courses, namely ΓΕΡ Ι-ΙΙΙ (18 ECTS in total), during the first three semesters, which they must successfully complete in order to continue with the Specialization Cycle. In addition to the above-mentioned compulsory German language courses, students must successfully complete the Core Courses (CORE) in all subjects covered by the School, so as to obtain a total of 90 ECTS. Furthermore, the Basic Study Cycle also includes Electives (ELC), which correspond to 36 ECTS.
Core Courses
The compulsory core courses (CORE) (102 ECTS) introduce students to the subjects covered by the School, and have been designed to complement each other and have an increasing level of difficulty. For this reason, students are recommended to follow them in the prescribed order.
Elective Courses
The USP includes 36 ECTS for Elective (ΕLC) courses, at least 24 of which must be awarded by the School of German Language and Literature.
For students to cover the 36 ΕCTS that correspond to Elective (ΕLC) courses:
- They must choose two Elective (ΕLC) courses (6 ΕCTS in total) related to language training from the E ΓΕΡ category (from the 4th semester onwards, and after having successfully completed core courses ΓΕΡ Ι-ΙΙ).
- They must choose two Elective (ΕLC) courses (12 ΕCTS in total) from the “Readings” category, so that are familiarized with the subject of literature.
- With regard to the remaining 18 ΕCTS from the Electives category, students can obtain up to 12 ΕCTS from other Faculties of AUTH outside the School, namely: the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences. Courses that are awarded over 6 ΕCTS are not eligible.
- Students can also choose to attend foreign language courses from the Foreign Language Centre, along with courses offered by the Chair of Russian Language and Culture.
Electives can be taken throughout the 8 semesters of study.
Specialization Cycle (114 ECTS)
The Specialization Cycle comprises 114 ECTS and includes:
- Specialization Electives (SPE) (102 ECTS in total), that may also include the optional thesis (12 ECTS) module and optional teaching practice (12 ECTS).
- The 7th-semester Core Course Methodology of Teaching German as a Foreign Language ΙΙΙ: Lesson observation and planning – Practicum: Microteaching (12 ECTS). For students to attend the ΔΙΔ ΙΙΙ course, they must first have passed their examinations in courses ΔΙΔ Ι and ΔΙΔ ΙΙ.
Specialized Electives (SPE)
Specialized Elective (SPE) courses (102 ECTS) are related to the students’ specialization with regard to the subjects offered by the School. They are available in both scientific fields of the School (Linguistics-Didactics and Literature-Culture) and provide the opportunity of an in-depth study of the subjects offered by the two scientific fields. They are mainly run as seminars, which means they require a small number of students, regular attendance and an active participation. The courses cover a broad range of research interests and follow developments in the relevant scientific fields. As a result, their content and methodology are continuously updated. Moreover, in order to offer the broadest possible choice, efforts are made not to repeat courses over a minimum period of two years.
For some courses, students are also able to choose a relevant immersion course and, by undertaking an additional assignment (e.g. writing an individual paper in German or Greek), can be awarded an additional 3 ΕCTS. Students are obliged to choose four SPE courses plus the relevant immersion course (SPEs of 6+3 = 9 ΕCTS): a total of 36 ΕCTS. Please note: students cannot choose a relevant immersion course for more than four Ε SPE courses.
For students to be familiarized with the subject of literature, students must choose two Specialized Elective courses from the scientific field of Literature-Culture: a total of 12 ΕCTS.
The 102 ECTS awarded to SPE courses include the optional thesis (12 ECTS) module and optional teaching practice (12 ECTS).
Microteaching and Teaching Practice
The School of German Language and Literature completes the theoretical training of its students with a specialized Teaching Practice Programme that aims to bring together theory and practice in education under real teaching conditions. More specifically, students have the opportunity to practice teaching German as a Foreign Language, and are awarded 12 ECTS.
Of particular importance in the training of the School’s students is the simulation Teaching Practice offered in the framework of the core course Methodology of Teaching German as a Foreign Language ΙΙΙ: Lesson observation and planning – Practicum: Microteaching. Its main objective is the practical application of the students’ acquired knowledge through Microteaching, during which students enhance their knowledge of foreign language teaching and learning methods and techniques, so that they are able to plan a lesson on their own, teach it by practising Microteaching, and then reflect on the activity of teaching.
