BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
German 10A: Beginning German
Fall 2014
Section 01: MTWR 10:00 am – 10:50 am
Section 02: MTWR 11:00 am – 11:50 am
Shiffman 202
Section 03: MWRF12 am - 12:50 pm | F 12:30 pm - 1:20pm
Shiffman 002
Kathrin Seidl, Ph.D.
Shiffman 210
Phone: (781) 736-3299
Email:
Office hours: Tue / Thu, noon - 1:30pm
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.
Taking advantage of opportunities for interaction in and continuous practice and review of German.
Tipp: Expose yourself to as much German as possible, including “Konversationsstunden,” German films (with subtitles), and online radio. Use German at sharedtalk.com, or for social networks.
Become a successful, skilled and strategic language learner.
Required text:
Connect PLUS / Kontakte by McGrawHill
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!
We aim at speaking exclusively German in 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!
Your writing will be the place where mistakes can be completely eradicated, but 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 with Disabilities 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:
http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/srcs/corevalues.html
Top 10 Ways to Promote Academic Integrity:
http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/srcs/ai/top10students.html
Academic Integrity:
http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/srcs/ai/index.html
In addition, please see Brandeis' Rights & Responsibilities edition (which applies not only to this course, but 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. If you need help with German homework, see our wonderful BUGS tutor, Johanna Doren, who can assist you as in with the code of academic integrity (http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/bugs/index.html). Again, do not rely on online translations or copy paragraphs from the web and/or use translation software!
Civility Statement
Since this class is a participatory community in which students aim to realize their potential for learning, people who disrupt the community by their words or actions (rude, sarcastic, discriminatory, obscene or disrespectful speech or behavior) will be removed from class. In order to achieve our educational goals and to encourage the understanding and expression of a variety of ideas and opinions, respect must be shown to protect the dignity of everyone.
Cell phones, notebooks, iPads
Since we are using an electronic textbook, laptops & tablets and in rare instances the use of smart phones to look up vocabulary* is permitted in class. However, you must use any technical devices in class exclusively for accessing course relevant materials (i.e. your homework, textbook etc.)
* Using electronic appliance to look up vocabulary has to be authorized by your instructor. This is reserved for a few exercises during the term, it is not allowed on a day by day basis as you are responsible to study and memorize new vocabulary.
Absences and tardiness policy
All absences have a negative effect on your own advancement and the class as a whole. The policy governing absences and tardiness will therefore be strictly enforced. You can miss the equivalent of one week of classes (i.e. 4 class meetings) without penalty. All other absences – for whatever reason – will result in a 1.5% deduction from your final grade each. The only exceptions to this rule are religious holidays for which you need to inform me at least one week in advance. If you miss a test, you have to inform me ahead of time (by email). If you fail to do so, you will not be allowed to take a make-up quiz and you will receive 0 points. 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. Since late arrivals are highly disruptive – particularly in a course that relies on the active participation of all course members, these late arrivals will incur penalties. If you arrive 10 minutes or more past the scheduled beginning of the class, it counts as an absence. (Nevertheless, it is probably in your best interest to attend the class meeting.)
Useful and fun stuff
Typing international characters on your keyboard
PC:
ß CTRL+SHIFT+&, s
ä/Ä, ö/Ö, ü/Ü CTRL+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, news Chat in German!
http://www.fritz.de/ http://chat.icq.com/icqchat/chatroom.php?c_id=1171
http://www.radioeins.de/ http://www.sharedtalk.com/
http://www.spiegel.de/
http://www.dw-world.de/ Curious about history & culture?
http://www.dhm.de/lemo/home.html
http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/paschons/CULTHIST.HTML
www.gedaechtsnis-der-nation.de
Online dictionaries
www.dict.cc (use their pronunciation
www.leo.org (use their overview of verb conjugations)
guide)
http://www.leo.org Another wonderful resource: Die Deutsche Welle
http://www.dw.de/dw/0,,2547,00.html/
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.).
A mid-term and final exam that would test within one or two hours “everything” you know about the German language seems inadequate for providing a good picture of your overall progress and the consistency of your work throughout the semester, which is why we will have two group projects and three chapter tests instead. A chapter test of our last chapter, chapter 6, will be included in the final exam (which will be 1/3 on chapter six, 1/3 on chapter 1 – 5, and 1/3 essay writing). Moreover, your proper pronunciation and ability to speak will be evaluated as part of your participation grade. Finally, you will demonstrate your ongoing engagement with the target culture (another indispensable component for learning a foreign language) by preparing a “Kulturprojekt,” a team project that you will present in class using both English and German (i.e. introduce key terms and phrases in German, but deliver your talk otherwise in English > focus on well-researched content). Acceptable topics are related to German politics, government, business, economy, culture, environment, or social issues.
Attendance, Participation 1 10 %
Homework 2 15 %
3 Chapter Tests 30 %
2 Group Projects 20 %
Final Exam 20 %
Kulturprojekt / German Comedy 3 5 %
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!
3 To be presented in class during the last two class meetings of the semester. Each course will select 2 favorite performances. The selected groups will perform their act during the Nikolausfeier – Dec. 9, noon - 2 pm in the International Lounge in USDAN. – Mark your calendars to either perform that day and/or to root for your classmates, all while German Santa will come and share lots of fun Christmassy stuff with you
Time commitment
Reserve a minimum of about six hours a week for studying German outside class; i.e. you will need about an hour to prepare for each of our four weekly class meetings, and you will need extra time for additional reviews, completion of projects, and studying for tests. Ideally, you engage with German on a daily basis, and if your schedule allows, participate in the “Kaffeestunden” (no extra credit, but highly recommended for practicing your speaking/listening skills) and/or meet with our BUGs tutor Johanna Doren. (She will intruduce herself to you in class; her email address is .
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 advice during office hours as 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 like
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 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 studies;
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!
Undergraduate research and travel fellowships such as the Max Kade fellowship 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 – while most recommended after two or more years of studying.
Regularly check the Center for German and European Studies at Brandeis (http://www.brandeis.edu/cges/), the Goethe Institute Boston (www.goethe.de/boston-soundinSPACE), and the DAAD (https://www.daad.de/en/) for both events and scholarships.
Keep in mind: 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.
Semesterplan | Dates
Aug. 28 Introduction
Sept. 1 Labor Day; No Class
Sept. 2 Einfuhrung A
Sept. 2 GRALL Open House:
Join us & Get to know our language programs.
International Desserts will be served!
Shiffman Humanities Ctr Lawn (Rain location: DuBois Lounge, Rabb 119)