BrandeisUniversityProfessor Sabine von Mering
Fall 2016Office: Shiffman 209
Deutsch 10Office Hours: M 2:30-5:30pm,
and by appointment
Office Phone: (781) 736-3227
e-mail:
WILLKOMMEN!
In this beginning German course, you will acquire basic vocabulary and grammatical knowledge, and you will practice the four core skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking in the foreign language. Moreover, the course is designed to impart considerable cultural knowledge for you not only to become fluent in speaking German, but also to gain cross-cultural competency.
Learning goals
Your instructor will discuss each of these goals in class:
- Being in command of key German grammar points to complete basic communicative tasks.
- Acquiring vocabulary necessary to talk about everyday topics, and to minimize the need for English in class.
- Tipp: Use appropriate strategies to memorize vocabulary not by means of vocabulary lists, but by creating narratives, using associations, groupings (e.g., synonyms and antonyms), chains, sample sentences and visualization, i.e. remember vocabulary in context and recall it eventually at random. Check out Quizlet.com as a study tool!
- Learning about cultural issues and cultural differences between US culture and target culture; completion of a “Kulturprojekt.”
- Practicing all four language skills: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Become a successful, skilled and strategic language learner.
- Taking advantage of opportunities for interaction in and continuous practice and review of German.
Tipp: Expose yourself to as much German as possible, including attending our biweekly “Kaffeestunde,” listen to online German radio. Use German at sharedtalk.com, or for social networks, and attend the events of the Center for German and European Studies (Brandeis.edu/cges). Make sure you receive invitations from Deutschinteressenten and CGES Lists!
Required text:
Connect PLUS/ Kontakte by McGrawHill 8th Edition
Required Texts:
Either KontakteConnect Access and loose leaf, color book packaged together This is the loose leaf, color book and Connect bundled together. [available at the Brandeis Bookstore]
OR
KontakteConnect Access and traditional, hard copy book packaged together [available at the Brandeis Bookstore]
You will need a section-specific URL for your Connect registration (keep in mind, once registered, you cannot change sections! You can find directions how to register with Connect PLUS / Kontakte, i.e. gain access to our online textbook and workbook, on LATTE.
Please note: We will continue working with the same texts in German 20
Recommended text:
English Grammar for Students of German by Melin Zorach
Wir sprechen Deutsch!
My goal is to speak almost exclusively German in class, and to ensure that every student speaks German during every single class. Make sure to keep up with studying new and regularly reviewing already known vocabulary. Remember: Binge-studying does never pay off, the least when it comes to acquiring proficiency in a foreign language… consistency is the key to success!
The need for speed in speaking is highly demanding and, as such, mistakes will creep in until you have reached a very high level of proficiency. Your willingness to speak German even when it means to stretch yourself makes you a successful course participant.
University policies and regulations
I respect and uphold all university policies and regulations pertaining to the observation of religious holidays; assistance available to students with mobility, visual, hearing, medical, psychological and learning disabilities; plagiarism; sexual harassment; and racial or ethnic discrimination.
Please raise any issues early and contact me immediately if you wish for academic accommodations due to a documented disability. In case of the latter, you need to register withDisabilities Services and Support to verify your eligibility for appropriate accommodations as soon as possible.
A note about academic integrity:
Don’t use translation software, don’t copy assignments or test results from your classmates, don’t use “study drugs” – that’s the basics. However, beyond that, keep in mind why you are pursuing your education at Brandeis. You have the opportunity to receive an outstanding education in your chosen subjects and to become a professional and responsible member of our community and society at large. Civil conduct, honesty, and academic integrity are key.
Please take a moment to read through some of the material posted by the Department of Students Rights and Community Standards:
Core Values:
Academic Integrity:
In addition, please see Brandeis'Rights & Responsibilities edition (which applies not only to this course, but to your general conduct as a Brandeis student).Lack of knowledge of the code of Academic Integrity will not excuse a failure to comply with its protocols.
Tutoring
If you need help with German homework, see our wonderful BUGS tutor, who can assist you ( Again, do not rely on online translations or copy paragraphs from the web and/or use translation software!
Useful and fun stuff
Typing international characters on your keyboard
PC:
ßCTRL+SHIFT+&, s
ä/Ä, ö/Ö, ü/ÜCTRL+SHIFT+: (COLON), the letter
Mac:
Use the OPTION key. Hold down OPTION and push ‘s’ to get ß. For the umlauted characters, hold down OPTION and push ‘u’. Release OPTION, then type the desired base letter (a, o, u, A, O, or U). The umlaut will appear over the letter you typed.
Check it out!
Music, radio, newsChat in German!
Curious about history & culture?
Online dictionaries
(use their pronunciation
(use their overview of verb conjugations)
guide)
Another wonderful resource: Die Deutsche Welle
Grading
Your final grade is composed of a number of grades that assess your proficiency in the four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as well as your ability to use vocabulary and grammatical structures that you will study during the course of the semester.
Since learning a foreign language is a cumulative progress (you will always have to draw from all your knowledge to understand and communicate well), it is critical to your success to study consistently with the goal of internalizing vocabulary, grammatical structures, and the sounds of the language (expose yourself to as much German as possible, e.g., by listening to online radio, watching German movies with English subtitles, use the Deutsche Welle material appropriate for you current language level etc.).
Attendance, Participation 120 %
Homework 215 %
5 Chapter Tests35 %
1 Group Project 10 %
Final Exam20 %
1 Please be aware of the attendance policy in this course as stated in this syllabus.
2 One of the advantages of the Connect electronic textbook & workbook set is, that I can monitor your homework. I.e. I can check how much time you have spent on any given exercise, and I can see whether you completed it, or not. This will allow me to grade your homework – this is not only about getting points for homework completed without any errors, this is also about acknowledging the time and effort you dedicate to studying German outside class!
Time commitment
Success in this 4 credit hour course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 8 hours of study time per week in preparation for class; i.e. you will need about an hour to prepare for each of our four weekly class meetings, and you will need another hour for review, completion of projects, and studying for tests. To succeed, you need to engage with German on a daily basis, and if your schedule allows, participate in the “Kaffeestunde” (no extra credit, but highly recommended for practicing your speaking/listening skills) and/or meet with our BUGs tutor.
What will you be able to “do” in German after completing German 10A?
Learning a new language requires serious commitment. Keep in mind that your individual success in learning German depends on your own discipline, on seeking exposure to the language and on enjoying to immerse yourself in all matters German (be curious, it’s exciting to discover a new culture), on developing adequate study habits and structures, including the repeated review of texts, vocabulary, and grammar throughout the semester (i.e. pulling overnighters before a test does not turn you into a competent language user).
If you complete all assignments, attend all class meetings, participate in all activities, ask questions, seek help when needed, study new material and regularly review “old” vocabulary and grammar, you will be able to complete the following key tasks in German with relative ease:
Introducing yourself and talking about your university & basic personal information
“Pleasure and possessions”: Talking about clothes and gifts, also about leisure activities you enjoy
Speaking about your talents, your daily plans and duties
Having basic conversations about daily life, vacations/leisure time, anniversaries and birthdays
“Money & Work”: First steps towards discussing professions and working places
Describing how you live (both: your apartment/home & the part of town you are living in)
So, When Can I Go To Germany/Austria?
Taking German 30 in Berlin (combined with taking another course in a subject of your interest taught in English at a university & receiving transfer credits for both!) is possible after only two semesters of dedicated study.
Study abroad opportunities are available for your 5th or 6th semester (Junior Year / Semester Abroad). Personalized internships that allow you to achieve greater language proficiency while working towards your professional goals in a field different from German Studies (e.g., journalism, medicine, education etc.) are available too!
If you are interested, make an appointment with Study Abroad a couple of semesters prior to your desired travel time!! Just to be on track with all deadlines, and to get to choose the program that fits best your personal interests.
Undergraduate research and travel fellowships such as the Max Kade travel grant and many others, e.g., via the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) are available for research and study in Germany and Austria at nearly any level of proficiency.
Regularly check the Center for German and European Studies at Brandeis ( the Goethe Institute Boston ( and the DAAD ( for events and scholarships.
Course Requirements:
The minimum requirements for this course include regular attendance, active class participation, written homework, and workbook exercises, as well as successful completion of quizzes, tests, and final exam.
1. Attendance and daily preparation
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken at the beginning of each class. Thus, please be on time. If you are absent more than three times per term (barring verified illness), it will have an impact on your grade, if you are absent more than six times, you will not pass the course. If you have to miss a class for any serious reason, please inform your professor in advance. If you are unable to attend a class meeting, you are responsible to inquire from a fellow student about assignments and to fully prepare for the next class meeting.
Students are responsible for learning all new vocabulary, for studying the assigned materials, for writing out exercises as indicated, and for turning in assignments (also online) as scheduled.
2. Class Participation
Language learning is interactive. You will only learn to understand and speak German through repeated exposure and your constant attempt to express yourself and to communicate with others in German. TRY TO SPEAK REGARDLESS OF ANY POSSIBLE MISTAKES you could/might make in the process. Errors are TO BE EXPECTED and their being corrected is a natural part of language learning. Class participation is defined as speaking German in class. Class time usually provides your only opportunity to speak German and is therefore crucial for your developing your interactive competence in German.
3. Homework
Your homework is designed to consolidate and reinforce what you learn in class. It consists of vocabulary and grammar practice, and short reading and writing assignments. Written homework in Kontakte Connect relating to the chapter you have studied will be assigned each week. I can see how much time you spent on completing your online exercises, which will help me help you master the material. Incomplete homework exercises or failures to hand in assignments on time will affect your grade negatively.
4. Tests and Quizzes
In irregular intervals there will be a short vocabulary quiz (Vokabeltest) on old and new vocabulary, which will be graded. There will also be five tests (=Klausuren) throughout the fall term; each chapter will be followed by a 45-minute Klausur. Please Note: Attendance at all Klausuren and the Final Exam is absolutely mandatory. Do not buy airplane tickets to go home for winter vacation until you know for sure when your final exams will be held!
6. Midterm
There will be no midterm exam.
7. Final Exam
The three hour written final exam will cover the entire semester’s work, with an emphasis on the last chapter. We will do an extensive review of the material before the exam and you will be provided with the exam structure ahead of time.
8. Office Hours
My office hours are listed above (Mondays 2:30-5:30pm, and by appointment). You will be asked to sign up for special meetings with me at least twice a semester. During these meetings we will spend some time on pronunciation practice. This is also a good time to bring up any questions or concerns. Feel free to stop by my office at any time during the semester for more practice sessions, or if you have any questions. You can also write me a note via e-mail if you need a quick answer to something.
Semesterplan | Dates – See the detailed, day-by-day plan on LATTE
This is a tentative plan for the semester.
It will be adjusted as necessary, depending on student progress
Donnerstag, den 25.August‘Einführung A’. Welcome.Introduction to the
course. Explanation of the syllabus. Introducing yourself in German: Wie heiβt du? Wie heiβen Sie? Das Alphabet.
Hausaufgabe für Montag:Purchase textbook. Read pages xxiii-23 (Einführung A) carefully to fully understand the book’s concept and design. Start working on the online assignments for this chapter. Bring any questions to class!
Montag, den 29.August:Einführung A
Dienstag, den 30.AugustEinführung A
Mittwoch, den 31.AugustEinführung B
Donnerstag, den 1. SeptemberEinführung B
Montag, den 5. SeptemberTag der Arbeit; Labor Day
Dienstag, den 6.SeptemberEinführung B
Mittwoch, den 7. SeptemberKapitel 1
Donnerstag, den 8.September[Brandeis Montag] Kapitel 1
Montag, den 12. SeptemberKapitel 1
Dienstag, den 13.September:Kapitel 1
Mittwoch, den 14.September:Kapitel 1
Donnerstag, den 15. September:Kapitel 1
Montag, den 19. September:Kapitel 1
Dienstag, den 20.SeptemberKlausur Kapitel 1
Mittwoch, den 21.SeptemberKapitel 2
Donnerstag, den 22.SeptemberKapitel 2
Montag, den 26.SeptemberKapitel 2
Dienstag, den 27.September:Kapitel 2
Mittwoch, den 38. September:Kapitel 2
Donnerstag, den 1.Oktober:No Class due to conference travel
Montag, den 3.OktoberROSH HASHANAHJewish New Year
Dienstag, den 4.Oktober ROSH HASHANAHJewish New Year
Mittwoch, den 5.Oktober:Kapitel 2
Donnerstag, den 6. Oktober:Klausur Kapitel 2
Montag, den 10.Oktober Kapitel 3
Dienstag, den 11. Oktober:Kapitel 3
Mittwoch, den 12.OktoberYom Kippur
Donnerstag, den 13. Oktober:Kapitel 3
Montag, den 17.Oktober:Sukkot
Dienstag, den 18. OktoberKapitel 3
Mittwoch, den 19. OktoberKlausur Kapitel 3
Donnerstag, den 20. Oktober:Gruppenprojekte
Montag, den 24. OktoberShimini Atzeret
Don’t forget to pre-register for German 20!!!!
Dienstag, den 25. OktoberKapitel 4
Mittwoch, den 26.OktoberKapitel 4
Donnerstag, den 27.Oktober Kapitel 4
Montag, den 31.OktoberKapitel 4
Dienstag, den 1.November:Kapitel 4
Mittwoch, den 2.NovemberKapitel 4
November 2: Last chance to pre-register for German 20!
Donnerstag, den 3.NovemberKlausur Kapitel 4
Montag, den 7.NovemberKapitel 5
Dienstag, den 8.November:Kapitel 5
Mittwoch, den 9.NovemberKapitel 5
Donnerstag, den 10.NovemberKapitel 5
Montag, den 14.NovemberKapitel 5
Dienstag, den 15. NovemberKapitel 5
Mittwoch, den 16.NovemberWiederholung Kapitel 5
Donnerstag, den 17. NovemberKlausur Kapitel 5
Montag, den 21.NovemberKapitel 6
Dienstag, den 22. NovemberKapitel 6
Mittwoch, den 23. November:THANKSGIVING
Donnerstag, den 24.November:THANKSGIVING
Montag, den 28. NovemberKapitel 6
Dienstag, den 29.NovemberKapitel 6
Mittwoch, den 30.November:Kapitel 6
Donnerstag, den 1.DezemberKapitel 6
Montag, den 5.DezemberKapitel 1-6 Wiederholung; Probe f. Nikolausfest
Dienstag, 6.DezemberKapitel 1-6 Wiederholung; Probe f. Nikolausfest
Mittwoch, 7.DezemerKapitel 1-6 Wiederholung; Probe f. Nikolausfest
Donnerstag, 8. DezemberNIKOLAUSFEST
12.-19. DezemberFinal Exam
*****************************************
Please take advantage of tutorials and office hours if you have questions about any of the material covered in German 10.
*Please do not book any airplane tickets to go home for winter vacation until the exact date and time of the final exam is confirmed!
SCHÖNE WINTERFERIEN!!!! Vergessen Sie nicht alle Vokabeln!!!
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