German Grammar and Usage 331-001, Fall 2017
D. Schaefer
Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics
German Grammar and Usage 331-001
Fall 2017
Monday/Wednesday 11:00am – 12:15pm, Curtin 319
Course Instructor: Dr. Derek Schaefer;
Office: CRT 895; phone: 229-4548
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:00-1:00pm /Friday 11:00am-12:00pm and/or by appointment
Herzlich Willkommen zu “German Grammar and Usage!“
CONTENT:
An essential aspect of effective communication is the correct use of words and grammatical structures. This course seeks to promote just that by providing you with an intensive review of the grammar to which you have already been exposed in German 101-204 or the equivalent. Using various approaches, the course will provide meaningful, relevant and communicative practice of those topics. We will begin with a short review and the explanation of important grammatical terms and usage, both in German and English. The body of the course is divided in two parts: 1. a thorough explanation and exercise of the grammar, 2. the application of these grammar skills. Please note that, if you have been placed into German 331, you are expected to be acquainted with the grammar topics we cover. If you have not been, it is your responsibility to catch up.
Once you are a student in the German program you can join the German Club and if your academic achievement in our program is outstanding, you are eligible for awards, study abroad travel grants and other honors. You can also become a member of the German Honor Society Delta Phi Alpha which may provide you with higher scholarship opportunities.
The German program offers the following degrees: German major, minor, minor in business German and teaching major and minor. For more detailed information please contact Dr. Jonathan Wipplinger at and/or visit the following program website: https://uwm.edu/foreign-languages-literature/undergraduate/german/
Excellent study abroad opportunities in Germany are also available to our students. Options include full year, one-semester or multi-week experiences. Students can also participate in non-UWM programs for which transfer credit may be available. Contact the UWM Center for International Education for more information:
https://uwm.edu/cie/study-abroad/
LEARNING TARGETS:
• to reflect on and solidify your already existing knowledge of German grammar
• to deepen and strengthen your knowledge of German grammar structures
• to practice the grammar topics in selected exercises and situations
• to link and apply the learned grammar structures to other language skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)
MEETING TIMES:
As a 3 credit course students are required to be in class on Monday and Wednesday. Materials posted on D2L will be available for students to access according to their own schedules, but the work must be completed on the day indicated in the weekly schedule. In the event that students are unable to complete course materials on the intended day.
SOME IMPORTATNT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR GERMAN COURSES:
Cellphones: All cell phones and other technological devices must be turned off during class out of respect to the instructor and fellow students. Inappropriate laptop/cell phone use (e.g. texting, chatting, checking facebook or sports scores, answering the phone) will lower your attendance/participation grade significantly.
Skills: We will work on the “4 skills”: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Participation: Active participation in class is important!
Homework: The homework you prepare before class will help you in class.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory (e-mail if you can’t come to class! This doesn’t excuse you, but it helps your teacher plan class).
Organization of work: We ask that you keep your worksheets/handouts & quizzes from class neat and organized as a separate section in your binder. As you get closer to quizzes or tests, finding everything you need will be stress free.
LEARNING STRATEGIES:
1. Daily preparation is the key to your success. No one can master the grammar of a language overnight. Read the weekly schedule carefully so that you will know what to prepare for prior to and after each day’s lesson.
2. The PowerPoint presentations used in class are also made available on D2L. You can read (and listen) to them as many times as possible. As you listen and read, please participate actively and practice your skills and listening and speaking ability when indicated. Partner work is an extremely important part of language learning.
3. Enjoy your learning and study hard. If you are not doing as well as you expected, don't get frustrated.
4. Communication is key. If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions during the term, let your instructor know as soon as possible. We are here to help you improve your language proficiency and make your learning more enjoyable.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM:
DON’T BE AFRAID TO PARTICIPATE! We all make mistakes and mistakes are a natural part of learning a foreign language!
ASK QUESTIONS!For every question you ask, there are likely to be several people in the class who will be grateful you asked it.
READING STRATEGIES: 1. Skim texts once before you read them thoroughly. This will save you a lot of time. 2.Fightthe urge to look up every unfamiliar word. Use your knowledge and common sense to help you fill in the gaps. Don’t look up a word if you know what the word probably means.
AVOID TRANSLATING FROM ENGLISH TO GERMAN! Look at your written work as a way to try out words and constructions you have learned in class but can apply on your own terms [such practice will most definitely improve your overall skills and grade].
FIND A STUDY PARTNER in your section or in another section of the course. You'll have more fun, and you learn much better when you try to explain something to someone else.
THINK IN GERMAN ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING at a certain time every day. ("Ich stehe auf. Ich putze mir die Zähne. Ich mache Frühstück..."). This requires no extra time investment and isgreat practice for the oral exams. Focus on situations about which you care or which are currently a topic in class.
WATCHDeutsche Welle TVat http://www.dw.com/de/programm/s-9093-9798 .T
TELENOVELLA – JOJO SUCHT DAS GLÜCK (Staffel 1, 2, 3) at http://www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/telenovela/s-13121
TUTOR: contact the German tutor as soon as you are feeling you are falling behind. Contact PASS tutoring at https://www4.uwm.edu/pass/
UMLAUTE & ß: Many interfaces include buttons for ä, ö, ü, and ß, but entering text is much easier if you can learn a keyboard shortcut for typing these characters. The easiest option is probably to activate the US International Keyboard: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/306560
Here are instructions for installing the US International Keyboard in Windows 10:
Go to Settings from the windows icon at bottom left. Click on Time and Language, the Region and Language.
You should see English (United States). Click on it and a button labeled OPTIONS will appear.
Click on the OPTIONS button. Now you will see an option to ADD a KEYBOARD.
Click on that and then scroll down the list until you see United States International.
Click to add it to your language bar (should be in system tray)
Works just like previous versions after you add it.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik 4th or 5th edition. This is an excellent grammar book that you will use in the coming semesters as it is the best reference book for German grammar you can find in the USA. There is also the option to rent the book from the Cengage bookstore. Try to find a used book. I do not recommend to rent it, because it is such a great reference book and you will probably find used one for less money than the rental will cost you. All other details can be found below.
1. Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik, 5th Edition as a bundle, new: $ 125.00 at the Cengage online bookstore
Jamie Rankin; Larry D. Wells (Late)
Textbook ISBN-10: 1-4390-8278-2
Textbook ISBN-13: 978-1-4390-8278-2
2. Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik: Wiederholen und Anwenden, 4th Edition (this should be available at very low prices in online bookstores, I saw it at Amazon for less than $10)
Jamie Rankin; Larry D. Wells (Late)
Textbook ISBN-10: 0-618-33812-8
Textbook ISBN-13: 978-0-618-33812-2
Available online. Try one of the following websites for good deals:
Or
http://www.directtextbook.com/isbn/9781439082782
OR
http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/search/9781439082782
Tip: you may also try to get the textbook used from any other online bookstore. Sometimes they are available at a fraction of the original price.
- 3-ring binder (required to keep all your material together)
- German – English Dictionary (recommended)
TECHNOLOGY:
Headphones and Microphone for creating your own audio on D2L
D2L: D2L is the main site for the presentation of course materials, keeping track of submitting assignment. Please monitor the D2L course site daily to access important information such as weekly schedules, links to daily video materials, and assignments.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS:
Quizzes: On many days you will have to do a short online quiz. They are typically only a few minutes long, but great fun and encourage you to come prepared to class. It is recommended to do them once you have done the homework and feel sufficiently comfortable with the materials that were covered in class. Only the quizzes that have a score of 80% or above will be counted. You can have as many attempts as you need to complete the test in order to get a score of 80% or above. These mini quizzes will be graded and will be part of the quiz grade. Of course, there other pop-quizzes in class in particular in respect to irregular verbs.
Take-Home Tests: There are two take-home tests, to mark the completion of several chapters. These tests will be available for several days but you have to hand them in on the morning of the next class. No exceptions!
Midterm Exam and Final Exam: There will be a Midterm exam and a Final exam.
Tests and exams cannot be made up unless arrangements are made BEFORE the
deadline. Make-up tests will not be given more than once per semester.
Homework & Assignments: It is essential that you keep up with the course work in this
class by completing and submitting assignments when they are due. Since what you are learning
builds upon your previous lessons, it is imperative that you finish assignments in the indicated order and on time. All homework and assignments must be turned in on the due date as indicated in the weekly schedule. Late homework and assignments will be downgraded by 10%.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
PARTICIPATION AND PREPARATION:
• Classroom participation is an integral part in this course, this includes coming on time with your homework done. It also includes meaningfully participating while in class, whether that be in discussion, group/partner work or solitary work.
The homework you prepare before the class will help you and the entire group.
• We will try to speak only German in class. All skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing will be practiced.
• Regular attendance is required. Two excused (excused= doctor’s note or death in the family) absences are allowed for the semester, though test attendance policy always applies. Religious days of obligation will be excused if the instructor is notified in advance. Absences affect your final grade. Your final grade will decrease by one percentage point per absence after three absences. Contact your instructor as soon as possible if you have a legitimate reason for missing class. Please call or email me if you cannot make it to class! Missing class hurts the whole class, not just you.
• Please note also that not coming to class does not excuse you from (a) turning in assignments due on the day of absence; (b) knowing about assignments given; (c) test dates set on the day of your absence. Please keep in mind, that it is your responsibility to stay informed about the course. A participation grade for you will be entered in my grade book after each class .
Class Participation Rubrics:
Exceeds expectations(100% - 90%) / Meets expectations
(89% - 80%) / Partially meets expectations
(79% -70%) / Below expectations
(69% - 65%)
Attentiveness / Student is always attentive. / Student is attentive most of the time. / Student is sometimes attentive. / Student is barely attentive.
Contribution / Student is always eager to contribute to class, pair and group work and asks questions. Student always volunteers answers and is prepared for participation. / Student is eager to contribute to class, pair and group work and occasionally asks questions. Student is mostly prepared and volunteers most of the time. / Student is occasionally eager to contribute to class, pair and group work and asks questions. some of the time, but does not always seem prepared for in-class discussions. / Student almost never contributes to class, pair or group work, rarely ever asking questions and volunteering answers or being prepared and volunteering answers.
Use of German / Student only speaks German during class. / Student tries to only speak German during class. / Student speaks German most of the time, but still switches to English. / Student speaks German some of the time, but prefers to speak English.
PROJECTS:
• Within the first two weeks you will start on the first of 3 projects that will ask you to use your knowledge in terms of listening, reading, writing and speaking. The four assignments will be spread out over the entire semester so you will have plenty of time to work on them while doing the daily homework assignments. All of the assignments are based on “real world” topics and is going to test your competence in writing grammatically correct. The assignment will help you to apply and incorporate the covered grammatical topics in a wider range of writing tasks. More details will be shared when we get closer to the first project.
HOMEWORK:
• You are expected to prepare all homework and be ready to hand it in and/or discuss it at the beginning of the class in which it is due. If you have problems with the homework, it is not acceptable to come to class with it incomplete, claiming you did not get it. No late homework will be accepted. For each day your work is late, 10% will be taken off.