Course code ValoP034

Credit points 3

Professional German in Agriculture I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation01.11.2011

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developers

author lect.

Aija Pētersone

Mg. paed.

author lect.

Oksana Mališeva

Mg. philol.

Course abstract

TThe study course is aimed at the development of students’ foreign language (German) knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending, interpreting and evaluating professional information, explaining and comparing processes, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environments as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology related to agriculture. The German language proficiency level corresponds at least to level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding terminology of field.
Students know terms from the field of:
- university education, soil: structure of the soil, soil formation, processes of soil degradation, soil preservation, soil tillage (Test No 1);
- plant, its parts and their functions; fertilizer, plant protection, weed control (Test No 2);
- branches of agriculture: plant cultivation, field-crop cultivation, cereal cultivation, horticulture, crops (Test No 3).
Skills:
students are able to define terms, select professional information, think critically, participate in discussions applying professional terminology and communication skills: in written form - writing descriptions, summaries, business letters; orally - in discussions, dialogues, giving a presentation.
Competence of professional and academic German language in order to apply it creatively in spoken and written communication for student mobility, professional and academic activities in international environment.

The assessment according to the 10 point scale.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction in speciality. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Development of terminology vocabulary on every theme.2h
2. University studies. Faculty of Agriculture.2h
3. Terminology dictionaries, glossaries of the sector. The main branches of agriculture.2h
4. Soil. Structure of the soil.2h
5. Processes of soil degradation. Soil tillage.2h
6. Test 1. Soil. Plant, its parts and their functions. Defining terms.2h
7. Plant nutrition elements. Fertilizer. 2h
8. Plant diseases and pests. Plant protection.2h
9. Weeds. Weed control. Herbicides.2h
10. Test 2. Plants and plant protection. Plant cultivation. The main branches of plant cultivation. Field-crop cultivation.2h
11. Cereal cultivation. Processes, tendencies, directions.2h
12. Horticulture. Fruit-tree growing. Growing fruits and berries. Floriculture.2h
13. Vegetable gardening. Growing vegetables. Description of the cultivation process of a crop.2h
14. Test 3. Plant cultivation. Basic principles of a successful presentation.2h
15. Farmer`s activities on a farm during all seasons.2h
16. Students` presentation of individual work.2h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Formal test.
It is made up of cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 3 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Individual assignment. The amount of the independently chosen professional text – 20,000 printed marks. A written summary, translation of 30 terms, definitions of 20 terms; an oral translation of some parts of the text, a presentation (8 – 10 minutes` long) about the professional literature.
2. Pair or group work presentation (5 -7 minutes) on a topic related to the study course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment (pass / fail) is composed of the grades in tests, home assignments, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work.The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1.Then Chr. Handbuch Agro-Gentechnik. Die Folgen für Landwirtschaft, Mensch und Umwelt. 1. Aufl. Verlag Oekom, 2015. 200 S. ISBN:978-3-86581-716-7.
2.Danzinger J. Landwirtschaftliche Betriebe – ein Zukunftsmarkts für die Mediation. Konflikte am Bauernhof mit Respekt und Achtung lösen. 1. Aufl. Verlag VDM, 2013. 168 S. ISBN:978-3-639-08980-6.
3.Lochner H. Landwirtschaft. Grundstufe. 5. Aufl. BLV Buchverlag, 2015. 688 S. ISBN:978-3-8354-1277-4.
4.Hümpfner D. Konzeptionsüberlegungen für eine landwirtschaftliche Einrichtung. Kann durch inklusive Bildungsangebote Begegnung ermöglicht werden? 1. Aufl. AV Akademikerverlag, 2015. 64 S. ISBN:978-3-639-86652-0.

Further reading

1.Maurer H. Landwirtschaftliche Erfolgsbetriebe. Von Top-Betrieben Lernen – Fehler vermeiden. 1. Aufl. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, 2011. 80 S. ISBN:978-3-8001-5722-8.
2.Bühler-Rasom M. Landwirtschaft Schweiz. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Schweizer Bauernverband und dem Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft. 1. Aufl. As Verlag, 2014. 288 S. ISBN:978-3-906055-27-5.
3.Kornmeier M. Wissenschaftlich schreiben leicht gemacht: fuer Bachelor, Master und Dissertation. 4. Auflage. Stuttgart: Verlag Utb GmbH, 2010. 322 S. ISBN-10:3-8252-3154-2.

Periodicals and other sources

1.Lebendige Erde [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 01.03.2016.]. Pieejams: http://www.lebendigeerde.de
2.Agrarzeitung [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 01.03.2016.]. Pieejams: http://www.agrarzeitung.de
3.Profi [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 01.03.2016.]. Pieejams: http://www.profi.de

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the professional Bachelor’s degree programme Agriculture.