Course:	GE - 472 Modern German Short Story
Time:	 MWF10:40- 11:30	          Instructor: Catherine Grimm
Classroom:   DeBartolo 304	Instructor's Office: Decio 160
Office Hrs:	Mon & Wed. 3:00-4:00
(and by appointment) 	         Office Phone:631-3841
email: Catherine.C.Grimm.5@nd.edu

1) Introduction

The objective of this class is to introduce you to a wide range of postwar German fiction . We will work on improving your ability to read,comprehend and enjoy a wide variety of modern German texts. We will not only discuss literary aspects of these works, but also look at the main historical and cultural issues that are at their center. In addition to working on your reading skills, you will also have the opportunity to practise your spoken German in class discussion and your written German in the papers you will write for this class.

2) Objectives

After this class you will:
*have read a wide range of different short stories by some of the most prominent
German writers of the 20th century.
*feel more confident about your ability to read, write and speak in German.
*have become acquainted with some of the major themes and motifs of Modern German short fiction.
*be more knowledgeable about 20th century German culture and history.

3) Text
Our text is a reader that contains all the stories we will be analyzing, and a comprehensive list of vocabulary in the back. It is available at the copy center in O'Shaughnessy for $13.95. If additional texts are required, I will have them photocopied for you.

4) Requirements

*The first and most basic requirement is that you come to class having carefully read the material that is to be discussed that day. You will write a one page journal on each of the stories that you will hand in at the beginning of each class.
*You should be prepared to talk about what you have read, either in the form of questions about the text or comments and opinions. Your questions will range from more simple ones having to do with content to other more complex inquiries concerning literary aspects or the cultural context of the story. Class participation will be an important part of your grade.
*You will write 3 papers in German for the class on topics that I will assign about the stories you have read. These will be due:
September 14th, October 28th and November 30th.
First drafts of the papers will be accepted up until the last class before the deadline. You will get them back the day of the deadline and will have up to a week to revise them.
*There will also be a final exam for the class.
Your grade for the course will be based on the following components:
*Class participation including reading journals: 35%
* 3 5-7 page papers in German on assigned topics: 15% each = 45%
* A final 20%

5) Attendance Policy:

I will interpret any unexcused absences on your part as an indication that you did not complete the assigned reading and therefore did not fulfill the first basic requirement of the course. So even one unexcused absence will affect your overall grade for attendance and class participation.

6) Class participation:

Excellent, always prepared, always participates = A
(Very) good, is prepared and participates most of the time = B
Satisfactory, is prepared and participates sometimes = C
Barely satisfactory, is seldom prepared, rarely participates = D
Unsatisfactory, is almost never prepared and never participates = F