Die Grenzen meiner Sprache sind die Grenzen meiner Welt

Die Grenzen meiner Sprache sind die Grenzen meiner Welt.

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

(Ludwig Wittgenstein)

German 201: Intermediate German

Fall 2003

Robinson 403

M W F 10:10-11:00 and 1 50 minute tutorial per week

(with a German native speaker).

Professor: Catherine Grimm

Office: Vulgamore 107

Phone(s): office: 629-0629

home: 629-2697 cell: 517-554-0003

Office hours: M W F 2:00-3:00 and by appointment.

Email: cgrimm@albion.edu

Homepage: http://people.albion.edu/cgrimm/

Required Texts:

Moeller, Adolph, Mabee, Berger, Kaleidoskop, Kultur,Literatur und Grammatik. Textbook and Übungsbuch. Houghton Mifflin. Sixth Edition (available at the Bookstore)

Wilkommen in Deutsch 201 (Intermediate German)!

In this course the main thing you will work on is the overall improvement of your of abilities to speak, read, write, and understand German. We will also work towards increasing your awareness regardingmany different aspects of German culture. In class we will explore different topics, which will generate lively discussions in German. The topics will deepen your understanding of both contemporary culture and the history of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We will also explore different literary genres such as poetry, prose and drama as well as different forms of media: television, radio, the internet and film. Some of the topics covered will be: how Germans use their leisure time, the social impact of mass-communication, as well as various topics dealing with politics, music and culture. This mix of genres will give you an idea of the many possibilities available to you as you pursue your studies of German. Our other important goal will be to review the main topics of German grammar.

General course outline

This course will cover Thema 1-5 of Kaleidoskop as well as five chapters of the grammar review section. After about 10 meetings there will be a comprehensive exam including a section on vocabulary, essay questons, grammar and a creative writing segment.

Requirements

The basic requirement is that you come to class having prepared the assigned material, and ready to participate actively (and enthusiastically!) in all the in-class activities. Regular attendance is mandatory and especially important in this class because we will be doing a lot of communicative exercises. If you skip even one class your absence will be noticed and you will be missed! Another important requirement for the class is the prompt and careful completion of all homework assignments. Make-up exams will only be given under extenuating circumstances – if you know in advance you must miss an exam please tell me. Your participation grade will be based on the percentage of days you attend class. Effective class participation requires that you have sufficiently prepared before hand. If you are unable to attend class PLEASE let me know by phone or e-mail. In addition, there will be some assignments that require an e-mail response or chat room participation.

Grammar instruction

In 201 the way we will work on improving your understanding of German grammar is as follows: I will assign sections of the grammar parts in the back of the book that you are to read over carefully and then summarize in written form, in your own words. (you don’t have to copy out charts unless you want to). Think of it as your very own personal grammar journal: as if you were trying to explain the grammar to a friend. You can refer back to your grammar file when it is time to prepare for a test. At first I will have you hand these in, but after a while I will ask one of you to present the grammar in your own words to the rest of the class. Each summary will be between ½ and one page long.

Tutorials and Sprachtisch (German Language table).

The extra-curricular components of this course are very important, simply because the more time you spend outside of class engaging in German-related activities the more success (and fun) you’ll have in the classroom. There are three different “levels” of extra-curricular activity: first you will participate in a 50 minute weekly tutorial session with our German native speaker T.A., Julia Kruse from Würzburg, Germany. Attending and participating in the tutorial is mandatory.

The second level is our German Language Lunch table – the Sprachtisch,which will take place every Wednesay at 12:00 in Baldwin Hall. Both German Professors (myself and Kari Richards) and Julia will usually be there, as well as other people from the Albion community who have an interest in speaking German and learning about German culture. (spread the word!) The Sprachtisch is meant to provide you, the students taking German, with an opportunity to work on your language skills in a relaxed non-classroom-like atmosphere.

The third level are the many cultural and language related activities that are going to take place in the German Language House, which is part of I-House. Examples of what these activities might include are: the showing of German films, German poetry readings, German-related cultural events, e.g. a Christmas party, plus German-related field trips e.g. to German restaurants, the Chicago German Christmas market, Frankenmuth, concerts, museums etc… I strongly encourage you to not only participate in these events but to also get involved with their planning: any ideas for German-related things to do that you might want to suggest will be taken into consideration!

Extra-credit will be awarded to you every time you participate in any of the second and third level activities: it is a fun and entertaining way to show your commitment to improving your German skills.

Grades

Participation (class & tutorial)………………………. 25%

Homework (include. Essays) ……………………….. 25%

Chapter tests ………………………………………….. 25%

Final ……………………………………………………. 25%

Vorlaüfiger Stundenplan

Datum	Vorbereitung	In der Stunde
M Aug 25		Introduction to the course: wir lernen uns kennen!
Mi Aug 27	Please read pp. xix-xx of your textbook Kaleidoskop. Also read p. 4 (Einstieg in das Thema) and write down your answers to the first two questions at the top of p. 5. Bring your answers to class!	Thema 1: “Freizeit” – Diskussion über Ihre Freizeitbeschäftigungen. Besprechung der Tabelle auf S. 6 (Freizeitstudie). Partnerarbeit. Wortschatz (19).
F Aug 29	Read and summarize (in written form) sections 1 – 4 of the grammar of this first chapter. (242-244). Write 8 sentences with vocab. From p.19	Grammar check: verb forms: Aktivität A. (244). Begin “50 000 Skater” text (9-10): Vor dem Lesen und flüchtiges Lesen. (skimming).
M Sep 1		Keine Klasse – Labor Day
Mi Sep 03	Read and summarize grammar section 5-6 on p. 245-247 Read “50 000 Skater” (10) Write out answers to Übung D on p.11	Grammar check: Aktivitäten. (246-248) Discussion of “50 000 Skater” Assign Aufsatz 1 (due 9/5)
F Sep 05	Aufsatz 1 due! Summarize grammar points 7 – 11 on p. 248-251)	Grammar check: Aktivitäten. (249) Begin “Berlin” text (14/15)