Intensive Intermediate German Language and Culture

(Sample Syllabus)

Required Texts: Impulse: Kommunikatives Deutsch für die Mittelstufe, 2^nd ed.
                                David Crowner, Klaus Lill. Houghton Mifflin, 1999

                           Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik, 2nd ed. Larry Wells,
                                Houghton Mifflin, 1997 (Textbook + Workbook)

                           Die Ilse ist weg. Christine Nöstlinger. Langenscheidt, 1991.

Course Content: This one-semester intermediate course provides a thorough review of the basic structures of the German language and further develops reading, listening, speaking, and writing abilities through a topic-oriented syllabus dealing with contemporary German culture and society. Authentic texts from a variety of media will provide the basis for discussion and cultural awareness. This course is worth two course credits and effectively combines the two-semester intermediate sequence (65 and 66) into one semester, thus preparing students more quickly for 100-level courses.

Class Participation: The class meets five times a week: M,W, F for 50 minutes each day and T, Th for 1 hr. 15 min. each day. Because acquiring a second language requires constant, regular practice, attendance is mandatory and will count for a significant portion of your grade. We will record a weekly grade for class participation. This will be based on the quality and quantity of your contribution to class. Regular attendance is essential for a good grade and more than 3 unexcused absences will result in a drop of at least one grade level on your final participation grade. However, attendance alone will not guarantee a good grade. You are expected to come prepared for class and to be attentive and responsive to your instructors and peers. In other words, your class participation should have a positive and productive influence on class dynamics. If you must miss a class due to illness or other viable reason, call or e-mail one of your instructors about this before class if possible. Make-up exams are possible only in the case of an excused absence.

Homework: Making significant gains in your language proficiency will require that you put in a good deal of time outside of class. Homework assignments will consist of reading and listening texts, grammar exercises, watching videos/films, as well as regular written assignments, including communication though e-mail. All homework is due the next time you meet with the instructor who assigned it unless otherwise noted/instructed. Since this is an intensive course, preparation before class is essential to ensure that no time is wasted in the instructional hour. Therefore, homework assignments must be completed on time. Only homework turned in late due to an excused absence will be accepted.

Course Syllabus: This syllabus is a basic outline of what will be done in class as well as your homework assignments. It may be altered or supplemented during the semester to allow us the flexibility to structure the course according to your needs and interests.

Essays and Exams: You will be given periodic written tests (approximately one every 2 weeks) as announced by the instructors. You are also required to write periodic formal essays (1-2 pages) throughout the semester (marked AUFSATZ on your syllabus). These will be graded on terms of content (integration of vocabulary, organization and presentation of topic) and grammatical accuracy. With this in mind, you should view each essay as an opportunity to review vocabulary and grammar material and use it in effective written communication.

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

Class Participation 20%

Tests 20%

Essays 20%

Homework 15%

Final Exam 15%

Please feel free to ask for extra help or practice materials. It is absolutely essential that you let me 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 the internet for information on Germany and things German (we will provide you with info on some websites, the German Dept. website can also lead you to some great links), 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 to speak German with other students in the evening (time to be announced). Think about joining the German Club and Delta Phi Alpha (German Honor Society) and/or participating in the many events they sponsor.

This kind of extra-curricular activity is sure to improve your German and will undoubtedly send your instructors a positive subconscious message that may surface at grade time.

Viel Spaß, viel Glück und viel Erfolg in Deutsch 69!

Deutsch 69

Kurs Überblick (Overview)