School of Languages & Linguistics German, Russian & Swedish

German Honours

Do you still have questions about the German-speaking world? Are you interested in German literature, film, or linguistics beyond what you were able to cover in your major? Do you have an average of at least 70% in your 2nd and 3rd year German subjects? Then consider Honours!

This extra year of study gives you the unique opportunity to deepen your expertise and to broaden your understanding of the German-speaking world. Besides coursework you will undertake your own research at one of Australia’s leading research universities. Under the supervision of a staff member you will develop a research subject question and write a thesis on a topic of interest to you. You will profit from the rich intellectual resources available to you. Honours can also be a path to a research higher degree or specialised employment.

Check out some previous thesis topics here.

If you have already have an idea or you feel you need a bit of help to think about a good Honours thesis or if you have any other academic questions concerning German Honours - ask your Honours Co-ordinator:

Linked on this page:

Eligibility

To qualify students must have:
An average of at least 70% (H2B) in 2nd & 3rd year German subjects;
Completed a major in German (112,5 points); or 125 points if started before 2007.
Completed a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent in the last 5 years.
Completion of all Arts subjects at undergraduate level.
Note: Students are able to take a final BA subject in the first semester of Honours, in order to complete BA requirements.

Course Structure

The Honours degree consists of 100 points of study in subjects at 4th year level. Normally it is done over 2 consecutive semesters (an exception is when Honours is combined with an approved study abroad program: see below). Students who wish to study part time must indicate this preference on the application form.

Pure Honours

Pure Honours usually consists of a thesis of 37.5 points and 62.5 points of coursework done in the Department (equivalent to 5 x 12.5 points subjects at 4th year level).

Combined Honours

Honours may be combined with most other Arts subjects as well as with many other subjects within the University, subject to approval by the Honours Co-ordinator and/or the German Convener. For this to be considered students must then qualify for Honours in both subject areas.

Combined Honours consists of a minimum of 37.5 points completed at 4th year level in German Studies. It usually consists of either

What steps do I take to enrol?

1) Students need to apply through the Arts Faculty webpage to formally be admitted to do Honours or an PGDip equivalent program
https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/course-application.pl

2) They will then receive the selection decisions signed by the Director of Academic Programs in the form of an offer letter and the "Fourth Year Thesis Proposal Form". Offers, and the accompanying "Fourth Year Thesis Proposal Form", will start to be sent for these courses from 26 October

3) Only then students will need to fill out the "Fourth Year Thesis Proposal Form", which will be made available to you in the process of form that states your thesis topic etc. They will need to return the filled in form to the school no later than the 14th of December 2009

Obviously it makes sense to talk to the Honours Coordinators and/or relevant staff members before that. Often students develop a topic with the Honours coordinator. However, the formal process now is to apply to Faculty first.

Action Points - Planning

All Honours applicants are asked to submit the following (in addition to the application form, citizenship details and academic transcripts):

Students must then formally enrol online through the Student Information system. Students can phone/email the office to arrange an appointment with a course advisor if they have any difficulties regarding enrolment. Contact the Arts and Music Centre 03 8344 6395 or email arts-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au.

What must the study plan consist of?

1. A potential topic for the thesis or areas of research interest.
2. Plan of coursework subjects and thesis including any study abroad components.

When must I submit the study plan to the Department?

For normal entry at the beginning of the academic year by 31st October in the year prior to commencement of Honours;
For mid-year entry, applications are due by 31st May in the semester prior to commencement of Honours.
However, late applications may be considered at the discretion of the Selection Committee. For more information contact the Faculty of Arts - Student Support Centre.
For more information regarding applications, please refer to the website - http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/programs/Honours.html.

When do I start research on my thesis?

Ideally students should start with a bibliographical search after approval has been given for Honours and before the academic year begins. Students spending the 1st semester at an overseas institution should also use the opportunity to research their topic and to collect primary and secondary material in overseas libraries.

What does the Honours thesis consist of?

A 10,000 word research thesis written in German or a 12,000 word research thesis written in English

When is the thesis submission date?

May 30 for normal entry
October 30 for mid-year entry

If you require a specific date, or an extension, please contact the Faculty Honours Coordinator.

Thesis schedule

This is a compulsory schedule for normal entry full-time Honours (a different schedule applies for mid-year entry and for part-time Honours!)

Honours & Exchanges

If you wish to combine your Honours program with an approved overseas exchange program, you have two options: a one-year Honours program or an 18-month program:

The One Year Honours Program

1st Semester
Exchange (the European summer (March-July) or winter (October-February) semester). Students will be enrolled in:
A maximum of 37.5 points of coursework, usually the equivalent of 3 x 12.5 subjects;
18.75 points towards the Honours thesis subject (equivalent of half the Honours thesis subject 126-507);

2nd Semester
at Melbourne University
18.75 points of Honours thesis subject (remaining half of 126-507);
12.5 points of an Honours subject;
12.5 points of an Honours subject

NB This option places candidates under additional pressure. You will need to allow time for re-adjusting back to life in Australia and for dealing with culture shock. The Department generally recommends the 18-month model.

The 18-month Honours Program

1st semester
Exchange (summer or winter semester)
a maximum of 37.5 points (equivalent to 3 x 12.5 subjects)

2nd Semester
18.75 points of Honours thesis (mid-year entry to Honours thesis)
12.5 points of Honours subjects

3rd Semester
18.75 points of Honours thesis
12.5 points of Honours subjects

Note:
Honours may be taken over two years in part-time mode but only if there is no exchange involved.

All programs of study undertaken overseas must have Departmental and Faculty approval BEFORE travelling overseas. Credit will not normally be issued retrospectively for subjects that have not been approved prior to going overseas. It is possible to study abroad under another scholarship exchange scheme (such as the DAAD-Semesterstipendium) and NOT have your work accredited towards Honours. Time spent abroad can then be used to collect data and research materials for the Honours thesis that are not available in Australia.

German Honours

 

More information

The Faculty website for the BA (Hons) programme is located at:
http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/programs/Honours.htm

Previous Thesis Topics

Contemporary literature and film

20th century literature and film

18th and 19th century literature

Cultural Studies and linguistics

 

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