German Cultural History A (ÞÝS104F, ÞÝS702F)

Goal of the course is to provide an overview of German cultural history from Bach to present age. The history of ideas will be described through the prism of literature, music, art, and science, and the interdisciplinary nature of the relationship between these areas will be the basis of analysis. Certain thinkers, poets and artists are highlighted as representative of specific currents (such as Baroque and Romanticism). Students will write an academic paper on a subject of their choice, but students of Applied Studies in German in Tourism and Communication may choose an assignment concerning the presentation of Icelandic culture to German-speaking audiences.

Those students who have already finished the course ÞÝS702F German and Intercultural Communication do not need to take this course, but students in the programme MA in German and MA in German Tourism and Communitation can take it as an elective course.

German Cultural History B (ÞÝS104F, ÞÝS702F)

Goal of the course is to provide an overview of German cultural history from Bach to present age. The history of ideas will be described through the prism of literature, music, art, and science, and the interdisciplinary nature of the relationship between these areas will be the basis of analysis. Certain thinkers, poets and artists are highlighted as representative of specific currents (such as Baroque and Romanticism). Students will write an academic paper on a subject of their choice, but students of Applied Studies in German in Tourism and Communication may choose an assignment concerning the presentation of Icelandic culture to German-speaking audiences.

However, those students in the programme German Teaching, MA who have completed either ÞÝS702F German and Intercultural Communication or ÞÝS104F German Cultural History from Bach to Present Age do not take this course, whereas students in the programmes German, MA and Applied Studies in German in Tourism and Communication, MA can take this course as an elective course even if they have completed the above-mentioned courses.

Communication channels I, documentaries, texts, images (HMM122F)

In the courses Communication channels I and Communication channels II, the basics of methods for the dissemination of cultural material in the humanities and social sciences are presented. Communication channels I is in the fall semester, while Communication channels II is in the spring semester. 

In Communication channels I, the students are working with a) text and images in the first half of the semester and b) short documentaries in the second half of the course. Each subject weighs 50% in the course. Concerning a) Students will receive training in article writing and discourse analysis on the one hand and use of images and image analysis on the other.  Concerning b) Students work on making short documentaries. It includes basic training in screenwriting, shooting and editing, and students work in groups on a documentary, according to a specific theme. 

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Analysis of texts and images
2. An article with an image on a specific theme for publication, about 800 words.
3. A group project where students work on a short documentary that is shown at the end of the course. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course. The course is not taught remotely.

MA thesis in Applied Studies in German (ÞÝS431L)

MA thesis in applied studies in German.

German in Tourism (ÞÝS701F)

Analysis as to in which fields of tourism and in which way working with German in tourism is an important issue, e.g. with the aim of improving services for German-speaking tourists and suggesting innovative ideas for them as a specific target group. Students will obtain special training in the vocabulary and register of German for tourism and carry out practical projects.

Language Usage and Expression: German (ÞÝS703F)

Practical exercises in grammar, text analysis, writing and oral presentation for master students.

On the trail of Literature and Culture in Austria, Germany and Switzerland (ÞÝS701M)

In this course there will be discussions about culture and literature in German speaking countries, focusing on tourism and media.

MA-thesis in Applied Studies in German (ÞÝS431L)

MA-thesis in applied studies in German.

German in Tourism: Guidance and Itineraries (ÞÝS801F)

Students will be trained in presenting Icelandic subjects to German-speaking tourists. A strong emphasis is placed on the techniques and style of presentation. Students will be trained in the vocabulary used in itineraries and other presentation materials for German-speaking tourists.

Political System, History and Culture: German (ÞÝS804F)

The political system, history and culture of the German-speaking countries. It is assumed that students already have some basic knowledge of these fields.

Blitz aus heiterem Himmel: Practical Contrastive Analysis of Icelandic and German (ÞÝS808M)

The course deals with selected aspects of Icelandic and German on the basis of contrastive analysis and with a practical orientation.

Communication channels II. Oral presentations, exhibitions, digital communication (HMM242F)

In the course Communication channels II during the spring semester the students work with the following communication methods: a) oral presentation and b) exhibitions of cultural and historical material. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects.

The students will work with the basics of oral presentation and practice in smaller and larger groups. Basic issues regarding the organization of conferences and seminars and their management will also be reviewed and a conference is held where all students present their projects. Digital communication will also be integrated into this section. Following is a section about exhibitions with connection to digital communication. The basics of exhibitions and different ways of presentation will be discussed.  The basics of digital communication will be covered, what are the main channels, advantages and disadvantages, and what rules apply to the presentation of texts on the web.

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Lecture at a conference and other projects in that context
2. Exhibition analysis and a practical project in connection with exhibitions organized by the City History Museum (Borgarsögusafn)
3. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course.

The course is not taught remotely.

Language Usage and Expression II (ÞÝS808F)

This course is the continuation of ÞÝS703F Language Usage and Expression. It is based on practical exercises in grammar, text analysis, writing and oral presentation for master students.

Presentation of Material in Exhibitions (HMM201F)

Different approaches in show rooms will be examined. A variety of exhibitions will be viewed and the diverse underlying ideologies analysed. The main elements of museum operation will be discussed, listing different material and methods. Students will create an exhibition project.

Creative Documentary (HMM220F)

The basic types of documentaries will be discussed as well as methods of documentary making, editing and cinematography. Emphasis will be put on practical projects and students will be required to make at least one documentary during the course.

Radio programming and broadcasting (BLF201M)

The goal of this course is to give students an opportunity to present their theoretical knowledge and research to listeners of the Icelandic Public Broadcasting Service (Ríkisútvarpið). Students will be introduced to public radio as a medium and trained in radio programming and in presenting theoretical material in simple manners suitable for broadcasting in public radio.

A Summer Course in Germany (ÞÝS007F)

Students choose a summer course at a university or an approved language school in a German-speaking country on the advice of the German teachers. The course must be at level C1 or higher and, as a rule, cover at least 80 teaching units (of 45 minutes). The University of Iceland does not participate in the costs of attending the course.