GERMAN 65 SYLLABUS

INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I: Contemporary Germany

(Sample Syllabus)

Required Texts:        Crowner & Lill, Impulse, 2^nd ed., Houghton Mifflin, 1999

Larry Wells, Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik, 2^nd ed., Houghton Mifflin, 1997.

Jamie Rankin, E.P. Hubbell, Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik, Arbeitsheft

Christine Nöstlinger, Die Ilse ist weg, Langenscheidt 1991

Handouts

Recommended Text: German - English Dictionary (e.g. Harper Collins)

Course Content: The Intermediate German course (65-66) is a two-semester sequence designed to build upon the knowledge and skills you have already gained through the successful completion of two semesters of college level German, two years of high-school level German, or the equivalent. Emphasis will be placed upon further development of the four skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), as well as on expanding your insights into the cultural aspects of the German-speaking world. You will also receive a comprehensive review of German grammar in the Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik. The textbook Impulse will provide the thematic framework of the course, which will integrate a number of other texts from a variety of genres and media.

In German 65 you will also be reading a short novel, written by Christine Nöstlinger, a leading Austrian writer of stories for children and young people. "Die Ilse ist Weg" is the story of a 15-year old girl who runs away from home, told from the perspective of her little sister. Reading a longer, sustained work such as this will increase your vocabulary and hasten your acquisition of the German language in a fun, pleasurable way.

Class Participation: The class meets three hours per week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Because acquiring a second language requires constant, regular practice, attendance is mandatory and will count for a significant portion of your grade. Your instructor will record a daily grade for class participation. This will be based on the quality and quantity of your contribution to the class. Attendance alone will not guarantee a good grade. You are expected to come PREPARED for class, and to be INVOLVED in class activities. In other words, your class participation should have a positive and productive influence on class dynamics. Should you have to miss a class or exam due to illness or any other legitimate reason, please inform your instructor via phone or email before class. Make-up tests and exams are possible only in the case of an excused absence. More than three unexcused absences will result in a lower grade.

Homework: Making significant gains in your language proficiency will require that you put in a good deal of time outside of class. You should expect to spend approximately 2 to 3 hours on homework assignments for each hour of class. Homework assignments will consist of reading and listening texts, preparing grammar, watching videos/films, as well as regular written assignments, including communication through email. Since we only meet three hours per week, preparation before class is essential to ensure that no time is wasted in the instructional hour. Therefore, homework assignments must be completed on time.

You may be assigned extra video and audio assignments, which can be completed in the Language Labs on East or West Campus. Please inform yourself of the operating hours of the Language Labs.

Also in the Language Lab are computers equipped with several programs for reviewing German grammar (see icons under "Language Applications"). You are encouraged to avail yourself of these, especially if you require extra practice.

Course Syllabus: Periodically, you will receive a "Stundenplan" -- a detailed outline of what will be done in class, as well as your homework assignments, for each class day of the semester. You are expected to keep up with assignments, unless otherwise instructed by your teacher.

Essays and Exams: There will be periodic written tests (approximately one test every two to three weeks). There will also be periodic major essays (1 to 2 pages) throughout the semester (marked AUFSATZ on your syllabus). These will be graded on terms of content (integration of vocabulary; organisation and presentation of topic) and grammatical accuracy. That is, you should see each essay as an opportunity to review the content/grammar material, and to use it in effective written communication. You will be given an opportunity to rewrite your essays to improve the grade.

You are expected to strictly adhere to the Duke Undergraduate Honor Code. Specifically, you may neither give nor receive aid in the completion of exams, quizzes, or any work prepared

outside of class that is to be submitted for a grade. It is especially important that you not get help from someone else when writing compositions. Your instructor cannot help you if the work you submit is not your own.

Oral Presentations: You will be assigned periodic oral reports/presentations throughout the semester. These will be graded on pronunciation, grammar, amd fluency as well as overall coherence and comprehensibility. Topics will be assigned by your instructor.

Final Grade: Your final grade for the course will be determined as follows:

Tests and Essays: 40%

Class Participation (attendance, quizzes, degree of preparation, activity in class, email): 20%

Homework: 15%

Oral Presentations: 10%

Final Exam 15 %

Please note that class participation and homework accounts for 35% of your grade. That means that if you attend class regularly, participate actively, and complete all homework assignments on time, you are virtually assured a good grade in this class! You will also perform better on essays and tests.

Please feel free to ask your instructor for extra help or for materials for extra practice! It is absolutely essential that you let your instructor know if you are having problems, feel overwhelmed, or underchallenged. It is better to deal with these situations early in the semester, rather than waiting until it may be too late.

Remember, the more you immerse yourself in the language, the more you will be able to just "pick it up": naturally. There are a number of opportunities to do this -- browse through Germany and things German via the Internet (Click on "German Links" from the German Language Program Website at http://aaswebsv.aas.duke.edu/languages/german/index.html), watch German news on Scola in the Language Lab, read the German magazines and newspapers in the Current Periodicals section of Perkins Library (Focus, Stern, Spiegel, FAZ, taz, etc.), or visit the "Stammtisch" and speak German with other students over dinner (times to be announced). Think about joining the German Club and Delta Phi Alpha (German Honors Society), and/or participating in the many events they sponsor.

This kind of extra-curricular activity is sure to improve your German, not to mention your grade!

Viel Spaß, viel Glück und viel Erfolg in Deutsch 65!

Kursüberblick (Course Overview)

German 65