German 1301: Elementary German I
Spring Semester 2009
9:30 am - 10:45 am, TR
Martin Building, Room 230
Instructor: Dr. Joshua Davis
Office: Martin Building 236N
Email:
Telephone: (660) 543-4826
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00; TR 1:00-3:00
Textbooks:
Di Donato, R., Clyde, M. Vansant, J., Deutsch: Na klar! Fifth Edition, 2007. McGraw Hill Publishers. (Introduction though Chapter 4)
Daves-Schneider et al., Laboratory Manual to Accompany Deutsch: Na Klar! Fifth Edition. McGraw Hill Publishers.
Briggs, Jeanine. Workbook to Accompany Deutsch: Na Klar! Fifth Edition. McGraw Hill Publishers.
Notes on Course Credit
This course is aimed at students who have never studied German. Students who have taken less than two years of German in high school or one semester in college may stay in the course for credit. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN THE EQUIVALENT OF TWO YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL GERMAN, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS CLASS. Questions regarding this policy should be addressed to your instructor or the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages.
Validated Credit Program—an alternative for students with previous study of German: If you have received college credit in German, enroll directly in German 1302 (second semester level), and if you receive a “C” or higher, you will earn six credits rather than three. If you enroll directly in German 2301 (third semester) and receive a “C” or higher, you will nine credits. You will receive a separate sheet with the details about this program.
Guten Tag und Herzlich Willkommen!
Welcome to our German program! German 1301 is a four skills course that teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing with a focus on communication. You will learn how to talk about your friends and family, your courses, your living situation, and your leisure-time activities in German. This goes hand-in-hand with learning about the rich diversity of culture in German-speaking countries. Since this class only meets twice a week, we will try to immerse ourselves in the language as much as possible by only speaking German. You will not understand each word, and, at this stage, you are not supposed to. Try to follow by focusing on the context, not each individual word. Pick out words you may recognize to be able to find the meaning. Your instructor will use gestures, pantomime, pictures, and other clues to get the message across. You will find your comprehension increasing as the course progresses. New structures and vocabulary will be presented as they fit into the chapter themes. We will also work on your ability to make educated guesses in German given known context, cognates and vocabulary. Students who take four semesters in German should be able to interact and communicate with native speakers of German and negotiate day-to-day activities in a German-speaking country. As your teacher, I am available to help you on an individual basis, either during my office hours or by email.
Participation
Your German class is a small community in which you will get to know each other on a first name basis. It is a big mistake to refrain from speaking until you can produce full sentences, or avoid making errors. You can only learn by going out on a limb, using the limited resources you have—Ja, nein, a few words, or gestures, etc., to express yourself. Successful language learners are willing to take risks, to negotiate meaning. Don’t always wait to be called on. Initiate. Ask questions. Follow up on the comments of others. Say the unexpected. Listen to your classmates to that you can ask questions and respond. Silently answer all questions, including those not directed towards you. Expect to speak and interact with others every class period.
Communication: I can most reliably be reached by email and I always endeavor to respond promptly. As a student here, you must check your UCMO email regularly. Failure to check your UCMO email may result in your missing important messages, for which you are nonetheless responsible.
Requirements
1. ATTENDANCE: This class will move at a brisk pace. Therefore, it is important that you attend regularly in order not to fall behind. Absences will affect your class grade. You may miss three classes without lowering your grade. For every absence in excess of three, you will lose 5 points on your final grade. Excused absences will be considered only if documentation is presented. This documentation must show the dates that were advised not to attend class or reasons why you could not attend. If you MUST miss a class, let your instructor know either before class or via e-mail. Take down the phone number and e-mail of several classmates so that you can inquire about homework.
2. PARTICIPATION is a crucial element in learning a language. This grade is calculated according to the following: Does the student volunteer in class? Is s/he paying attention? Does s/he speak in German during pair work and milling activities? Does s/he complete the exercise? Does s/he work with a variety of students? I will often ask you in the Wochenplan to prepare interactivities in advance: look for the words "Bereiten Sie vor…" to know what you should prepare.
3. TESTS are given at the end of each chapter. They can only be made up with advance notice unless a sufficient and, if possible, documented excuse is provided.
4. Written HOMEWORK will be due and collected on the day on which the test for the relevant chapter is given. LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The homework will consist mostly of exercises from the workbook, though I may assign some from the textbook as well. Look in the Wochenplan for the words: "Schreiben Sie…" to know what to write. Please staple pages together before class, and turn in neat homework. Honest disclosure: I will not be able to correct every single assignment, but I will check for completeness and I will spot check certain assignments at my discretion. Do your best, and be sensitive to assignments you are not certain about. We can discuss them in class, or you can bring them to me during my office hours. Waiting until the end of the chapter to complete homework will inhibit your learning throughout the chapter and, indeed, the semester. It is very important to keep up with homework as it is assigned.
5. LANGUAGE LAB. This part of the course is very important. All of the chapters in the Language Manual should be completed before an examination, and turned in on the day of the test. You will need to purchase the Laboratory Manual, and follow the instructions, filling in the information requested. It is highly suggested to use the language lab. It will offer discipline of sitting down and completing the tasks.
6. The FINAL EXAM will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 8:00 to 10:00 in Martin 230.
7. YOUR FINAL GRADE: Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Final Examination: 20%
Chapter Tests: 30%
Homework: 20%
Lab Manual: 15%
Class Participation: 15%
Grading Scale:
90 – 100% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79% C
60 - 69% D
Please use Blackboard to keep up with your grades. I will also use it to distribute information to the entire class.
Nota bene
Beverages are acceptable, but no food is permitted in class. Tobacco and alcohol use during class is forbidden.
Every student possesses an equal right to learn and be treated with respect in this classroom. I hope to further such an environment by teaching and grading fairly. Please let me know if you have special needs or something impedes your performance during the semester. Feel free to visit me with any concerns during my office hours. It is part of my job to help you.
Academic Integrity:
Please refer to the Honesty Policy on pages 141-142 of the UCM Student Planner/Handbook regarding University policy on cheating. Any violation of that policy will result in an “F” in the course and, possibly, suspension.
Academic Honesty Policy Statement
Honesty- Honesty in all endeavors is essential to the function of society. Honesty in the classroom among students and between students and faculty is one of the most important qualities influencing the character and image of an educational institution. As higher education is challenged to improve the quality of its programs, there is great value in emphasizing academic standards and integrity.
Plagiarism – Plagiarism is defined as the borrowing of ideas, opinions, examples, key words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or even structure from another person’s work, including work written or produced by others without proper acknowledgement. “Work” is defined as theses, drafts, completed essays, examinations, quizzes, projects, assignments, presentations, or any other form of communication, be it on the Internet or in any other medium or media. “Proper acknowledgement” is defined as the use of quotation marks or indenting plus documentation for directly quoted work and specific, clearly articulated citation for paraphrased or otherwise borrowed material (paraphrased from the Student Handbook, 2002).
Cheating – includes but is not limited to those activities where a student:
Obtains or attempts to obtain preknowledge of content of an examination;
Copies someone else’s work, including lesson plans straight from the Internet or other source
Works in a group when student has been told to work individually;
Uses unauthorized reference material in an examination;
Has someone else take an examination;
Uses own work from one class for requirements for another class
It is the University’s responsibility to provide an educational process that informs both students and faculty of their rights and responsibilities regarding such important matters as cheating, plagiarism, and professional ethics. Most of what is considered unethical or dishonest behavior can be avoided if faculty and student clearly understand both what constitutes these practices and their consequences. The University community should also be aware of the procedures to be followed should a breach of academic honesty occur.
Students with Disabilities:
Office of Accessibility Statement
This course works in concert with the Office of accessibility Services and the Office of Equity in meeting ADA requirements. The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) provides accommodations to Central students with disabilities as defined by the ADA. Students must provide appropriate verification of their disabilities. Call 660-543-4730 or visit OAS in 220 of Union. This instructor will make reasonable accommodations based on recommendations from OAS.
Early Alert: As part of the CoE commitment to building a positive, student-centered learning community that supports the success of every student, this faculty member participates in the UCMO Early Alert Program.
Library Services: Get help @ your library! You may access your library account, the online catalog, and electronic databases from James C. Kirkpatrick Library’s website at http://library.ucmo.edu. For research assistance, you may contact the Reference Desk:
Phone: (660) 543-4154 Email:
AIM: JCKLReference RefChat: http://library.ucmo.edu/chat
CQIP and General Education Goals (German)
A. Communicating
1. Students will develop their oral communication in both “everyday” and “idea-centered” conversational German. “Oral communication” does not mean perfection, but rather an increased ability to convey the speaker’s message in the foreign language.
2. Students will be able to understand and ask basic questions, and make simple
statements related to the topics covered in the textbook.
3. Students will expand their vocabulary on topics such as: meeting and greeting people,
giving personal information, describing themselves and other people; talking about their
routines, their families, their classes; expressing likes and dislikes, etc.
4. Students will develop their reading proficiency
5. Students will develop their writing skills by writing short paragraphs about themselves and their activities.
6. Students will develop their speaking abilities by participating in class activities.
B. Valuing
1. Students will demonstrate an awareness of the cultural values of other communities
by reading the cultural information provided in the textbook.
2. Students will be introduced to some of the ways those living in other societies fulfill
their needs, be they educational, social or cultural.
C. Humanities and Fine Arts
Students will understand the historical, linguistic and cultural contexts and expressions of the peoples where the target language is spoken, within the limits of the textbook and other materials introduced.
ACTFL/NCATE
This course will address the following standards:
Standard 1: Language, Linguistics and Comparisons
Standard 2: Cultures, Literatures, Cross-Disciplinary Concepts
Note:
The following standards are addressed in methods class:
Standard 3: Language Acquisition Theories and Instructional Practices
Standard 4: Integration of Standards into Curriculum and Instruction
Standard 5: Assessment of Language and Cultures
Standard 6: Professionalism
German 1301, Frühlingssemster 2009
Wochenplan
Key
· Schreiben Sie… = Write…
· Bereiten Sie…. vor. = Prepare…
· Lesen Sie… = Read…
· Lernen Sie… = Learn…
· S. (Seite) = page
· Übung (Üb.) = Exercise
· Aktivität (Akt.) = Activity
· WB = Workbook
· LM = Lab Manual
Prüfungen (tests)
Einführung: 27. Januar
Kapitel 1: 19. Februar
Kapitel 2: 19. März
Kapitel 3: 9. April
Schlussprüfung: 7. Mai, from 8:00 to 10:00 (Material from Kap. 4 will be on final)
Assignments are due on the day given, not on the subsequent day!
Einführung
13. Januar: Welcome and introduction. Discussion of syllabus.
15. Januar:
· Lesen Sie S. 1-8.
· Lernen Sie sentences and expressions in "Hallo! Guten Tag! Herzlich Willkommen!" (S. 2-3). Lesen Sie "Kulturtipp" (S. 3). Bereiten Sie Aktivitäten 1 und 2 vor.
· Lernen Sie das Alphabet (S. 4). Bereiten Sie Aktivitäten 5 und 6 vor.
· Lernen Sie "Hallo! – Mach's gut!" S. 5-6. Learn the different ways to say hello and goodbye. Lesen Sie die Comics auf S. 6. Schreiben Sie Aktivität 8.
· Lernen Sie "Na, wie geht's?" S. 7. Lesen Sie "Kulturtipp" S. 8. Bereiten Sie Aktivität 10 vor.
20. Januar:
· Schreiben Sie WB Aktivitäten 1-7.
· Lesen Sie S. 8-12.
· Lernen Sie "So zählt man auf Deutsch". Learn how to count from 1-100. Lesen Sie "Analyse" S. 10. Schreiben Sie "Kulturtipp" S. 11. Bereiten Sie Aktivitäten 13 und 14 vor.
· Visit to language lab. Bring your lab manuals.
22. Januar:
· Schreiben Sie WB Aktivitäten 9-13.
· Lernen Sie "nützliche Ausdrücke im Sprachkurs" (S. 13).