Englisches Seminar

Your Courses for the First Semester

Which courses should I take in the first semester? Where is the course catalogue? What is the deadline for course registration? And how to register? ...


... These are probably your most pressing questions at the moment. You will find all necessary information and deadlines on this special page of the Starter Kit.
Please note that there is no entry-level test/  placement test (Einstufungstest) or the like in the B.Ed. English.

Quick Links

What types of courses are there? | Which courses should I take? | How and when to register for courses?

Course registration: Monday, 30.09.24 to Sunday, 13.10.24; automatic place allocation by: 14./ 15.10.24; You don't need to register for courses before our info meeting!


Lecture, Seminar, Tutorial

What Is the Difference?

In lectures, communication is mainly one-directional, i.e. the lecturer (usually a professor) shares input with a large number of students. This does, however, not mean that lecturers do not encourage students to be involved, for instance through shorter discussion phases, Q&A parts or polls. Lectures are open to all students who want to register.

Seminars live off interaction, communication and discussion among a smaller number of students and, of course, the instructor. The number of places in seminars (and tutorials) is limited, so please try to be as flexicble as possible about the time slots for your courses in the first semester. Please use the priorities during the registration process on alma; select your first choice and up to 3 alternatives for a course type.

Tutorials usually take place in the context of another course, either a seminar (as with the Basic Module Liteary Studies) or a larger lecture. In a tutorial, you meet with a smaller group of students and a tutor, who is usually a more experienced student, in order to talk about what you learned in the course or ask questions. In the Basic Module Literary Studies tutorials, the tutors will also, and most importantly, instruct you on general skills that you need in order to study successfully, such as writing, giving presentations, or using the library. These skills are basic academic skills that you will need in your futher course of studies.


Which Courses Should I Take?

Basic Module Academic English

"Academic Writing I"

 

The Basic Module Academic English consists of two courses, namely "Academic Writing I" and "Oral Communication I." The course "Academic Writing I" is recommended for the first semester. Please do not register for any other course than "Academic Writing I" at this point!

In "Academic Writing I," students will be introduced to resources, techniques, and strategies for independent language learning. They will review key areas of English grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary necessary for University-level speaking, listening, reading and writing, and learn and practice basic conventions of academic reading and essay-writing: basic textual organization, close and critical reading skills, response to a text, quotation and citation from a text in MLA style.

The course goals are to improve students' listening, reading and writing in preparation for academic study, to review and improve key areas of grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure, and to begin thinking about language learning styles and strategies for improving language skills.

Basic Module Literary Studies

"Introduction to Literary Studies"

 

The Basic Module Literary Studies consists of two courses course: a lecture and a seminar titled "Introduction to Literary Studies." The seminar comes with a joint tutorial. The module is recommended for the first semester. All courses of the module need to be taken in the same, normally the first, semester. There is no possibility to 'split' the module.

In this module, students will be introduced to theories, methods and models of literary studies and will be familiarized with the development of literatures from English-speaking countries. They will interpret and classify texts from a range of literary genres (poetry, prose and drama) and periods. They are introduced to secondary literature as well as theoretical texts. Furthermore, students will be acquainted with the methods of film analysis.

The course goals are to familiarize students with key concepts and theories of Literary Studies. Students get a basic understanding of the terminology and methodology necessary to analyse literary textsand to place them in their historical context. They can critically discuss primary texts and they are able to constructively use secondary texts in context as they raise questions regarding primary sources.

You can find a list of all "Academic Writing I" courses offered in the winter semester on the course management platform alma.

Please do not be concerned because it states "Academic Writing I/ Language & Use." All courses in this section are the right ones for you.

 

Information about the teaching format of each course and the course description can be found on alma.

Please note: Until the beginning of October, the dates/ rooms may be subject to change.

 

You can find the lecture "Introduction to Literary Studies"  on the course management platform alma. In addition, you can find a list of all "Introduction to Literary Studies" seminars offered in the winter semester. The tutorials are connected to the seminars, they are not listed separately. Attendance of a seminar "Introduction to Literary Studies" automatically means that you also have to take part in the joint tutorial. Attendance of the tutorial is obligatory!

 

Information about the teaching format of each course and course descriptions can be found on alma.

Please note: Until the beginning of October, the dates and rooms may be subject to change.

Are the Recommended Courses the Only Ones I Should Take?

The suggested coursework is a general recommendation. Your individual circumstances might call for a different schedule. If, for example, you need to fulfill special requirements for your second subject, learning Latin or another language, your course of studies will change.

Taking the Basic Modules Academic English and Literary Studies is the absolute minimum for your first semester. Please try to not take fewer courses unless you have very good reasons to do so. In case you have to choose, please take the Basic Module Academic English, i.e. the course "Academic Writing I," instead of the Basic Module Literary Studies because the latter comes in a module consisting of a lecture and a seminar with a joint tutorial. It is not possible to split the Basic Module Literary Studies and take individual courses of the module in different semesters.

You want to take more courses than recommended because you have more time on your hands? The lecture in the Basic Module Linguistics titled "Introduction to English Linguistics" is normally recommended for the second semester and should only be taken in the first semester if, for whatever reason, you want or need to take further courses in English.


alma

Campus Management System of Tübingen University

 

alma

The Campus Management System of Tübingen University is called alma. It provides an overview of all courses offered at our university, including the courses at the English Department. In addition, course registration is also handled exclusively via the alma portal. Apart from hosting the course catalogues of all departments, alma also manages the student grades in all study programmes.

Course Registration Period

Course registration for new students at the English Department starts on September 30 and ends on October 13, 2024. The results of the registration will be available on alma on October 14 to October 15, 2024.

 

Lectures are usually open to all students who want to register. The number of places in seminars is limited, but we offer more than enough seminars of the same type at several time slots. When registering, please try to be as flexible as possible about the time slots for your courses and use all the priorities offered during the registration process.

Need Help?

  How to work with alma? Here is our alma guide.

The ZDV has also launched a special website with additional information, manuals, video tutorials, etc. about alma for students.

 

DURING
THE REGISTRATION PERIOD

 

Technical difficulties during the registration process? This is how to get help!

If you have problems registering for courses during the registration phase, please contact the alma support team.

 

Open Office Hours of the English Department Helpdesk

The Helpdesk offers open office hours to help you with course registration:

  • October 09 12:15-13:45 h in the entrance hall of the Brechtbau
  • October 10 14:15-15:45 h in the entrance hall of the Brechtbau
  • during the regular office hours of the Helpdesk in room 555

If you have any further questions, please contact the English Department Helpdesk.

 

AFTER
THE REGISTRATION PERIOD

 

  Registration unsuccessful? Admission to a course you cannot attend? This is how to proceed to enrol in courses past the registration deadline!

If you do not get a seat in any seminar you have registered for or have been admitted to a course you cannot attend, please do not panic! We will assist you to get a seat in the seminars “Academic Writing I” and "Introduction to Literary Studies."

In this case, please contact the main office of the English Department via e-mail indicating your name, your student ID ("Matrikelnummer") and the the title and time slot of the course you want to register for. Please mention at least two alternatives of the same type so that your chance of getting a spot inscreases.
Last updated: August 10, 2024