Welcome to German 301 Conversation and Composition!

The main purpose of this course is to improve your ability to communicate effectively in German. An important "side-effect" will be the growing sense of accomplishment and enjoyment you'll derive from your ever-improving linguistic abilities in German, a challenging, but as you already know, fascinating language. At the end of this course you'll be ready to pursue more specialized studies in German whether the focus is on literature, history or other aspects of German culture.

Please purchase the following textbook from the College bookstore: Übergänge: Texte Verfassen. Genre-based Composition in German. Kathryn Corl, Barbara Jurasek and Richard Jurasek. I urge you to consider purchasing a German/English dictionary if you don't already own one.

Course Introduction

This course is structured around a set of German essays you'll write throughout the semester, based guidelines that will be discussed in class and that are laid out in the textbook. Before each essay we will discuss one or two short reading texts that illustrate different forms of written German. The analysis of the texts will give you ample opportunity to practice your spoken German. We will discuss the cultural background of the texts as well as pertinent points of grammar. We will also watch some German video material and at least one German movie.

Although the essays are important they should not be regarded as 'tests' for which you will simply receive a grade. Writing will be understood as a process, as a means to gaining a better understanding of your own linguistic strengths and weaknesses. An important component of the class will be the peer review, which gives you an opportunity to read and comment on other students work. (More on this when we go over the syllabus). Your ability to communicate effectively with your peers will be carefully monitored throughout the course and will be reflected in you final grade.