German 201 (CRN 4011)

Intermediate German

 


MWF 1:10 pm - 2:00 pm

 

Catherine Grimm

 

Classroom: Vulgamore 102

Office location: Vulgamore 107
Office phone: 0269; Home: 1-517-629-2697
Office Hours: MWF 8:00am and by appointment
email: cgrimm@albion.edu

Course Description

This is an intermediate German course where we will work together on strengthening and improving your ability to communicate effectively in German. We will also explores areas of cultural knowledge, that will expand your understanding of German history and society. You will be called upon to motivate yourself to do your best work. If you truly apply yourself to the material your German is sure to improve and you will also enjoy the class more. My hope is that you will realize how fun studying German is and that you will decide that it is something would like to pursue, perhaps by declaring it one of your major or minor fields of study, while in college. (Please feel free to come talk to me about doing so at any time). This course is also an excellent preparation for study abroad in a German speaking country. Currently we have students studying in Berlin, Heidelberg, Bonn and Cologne. Successful completion of this course will count for the Global Studies category. (see p. 49 of the 2005-2006 Academic catalog for a description of this category). back to top

Procedures

In class you will work on exercises that review and enforce grammatical concepts, as well as watch and discuss videos about German history and culture. In the tutorials, which are mandatory, you will work on your conversational abilities. Class time is precious, so the pace might seem fast to you.  If you feel you need to go over a particular concept, please schedule an appointment to come see me during office hours MWF at 8am or by appointment. Also, our two native speaker teaching assistants are a wonderful resource for you: you will have plenty of opportunities to talk to them about any issues pertaining to German. Outside of class an important resource will be the workbook and audio CD's. These provide valuable exercises that will help increase your effectiveness in communicating and understanding German. Please take the work I ask you to do with these materials seriously, since they are an important component of the class. back to top

Texts

Our text and workbook is the Intermediate level version of a video-based language learning series entitled Fokus Deutsch.  At this stage in your language learning experience you might want to consider investing in a good German/English dictionary. Here is a link to a website that discusses your options in this area: What dictionary should I buy?  back to top

Participation and homework

Class participation (which includes tutorials) is a crucial component of this course. In order to be able to fully participate, you will need to come to class having completed all the homework activities assigned for that particular day. Meticulous completion of homework assignments, is the first step on the way to being a successful participant in class: the two activities are inextricably linked, which is why late homework will not be accepted. In class you will work with your peers on different exercises, that will review and/or practice grammar-related topics. Attendance is of course the prerequisite for participation, but it is really just the first step: you can't participate if you are not there. More than three unexcused absences (including from tutorials) will affect your grade. An excused absence means bringing me a note from Health Services, or speaking to me BEFORE the absence and clearing it with me. You are responsible for finding out from your classmates what you missed in class. back to top

Assignments

Aside from actively participating in this class, there will be six chapter tests you will take that will evaluate your progress. There will also be homework assignments, mainly taken from the workbook. Your weakest test score will be dropped. back to top

Other requirements

In order to provide you with an opportunity to practise your German skills in a less formal setting, you will be asked to attend  a minimum of 2 German-related cultural activities as well as two German language tables over the course of the semester. You are strongly encouraged to attend as many of these events as you would like. If you are unable to attend an event you have the option of requesting an oral interview with your professor, or asking to have a meal with one of the T.A's at a time that is more convenient to you (and the T.A). If you still find it hard to come to these events, or schedule one on your own please see me promptly. back to top

Grades      

  • Six chapter tests (the weakest grade will be dropped):       50%                                                  

  • Workbook assignments:                                                    20%                                                                                                                  

  • Participation, including tutorials and cultural activities:         30% 

  •  Here is the final grade breakdown:

  • 94-100% = 4.0

  • 87-93 = 3.7

  • 84-86 = 3.3

  • 80-83 = 3.0

  • 77-79 = 2.7

  • 74-76 = 2.3

  • 70-73 = 2.0

  • 67-69 = 1.7

  • 64-66 = 1.3

  • 60-63 = 1.0  

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    Schedule/Stundenplan:

    FD=Fokus Deutsch book

    FDWB=Fokus Deutsch workbook: these exercises are for self-review - the answers are in the back. Please see how you do and monitor how well you think you understand a specific exercise.

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    Datum

    Vor der Stunde (Hausaufgabe)

    In der Stunde

    Montag,

    22.08.05

     

    Kennen lernen, Einführung in den Kurs: Review of the syllabus, class expectations. Handout Nützliche Phrasen für das Klassenzimmer

    Mittwoch

    24.08.05

    Fill out the course survey and schedule sheet and bring it to the next class. Buy the textbook and audio CD package at the College bookstore. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the book and other materials.

    Einführung; Vokabeln-review: Nützliche Phrasen für das Klassenzimmer (handout) und Im Klassenzimmer (handout) Übung A, S.2. Begin of grammar-review: the German case system: Nominative and Accusative.

    Freitag

    26.08.05

    Review the vocab. In FDWB p. 1: complete Übung A und B.

    Einführung: Vokabeln-review: Körperteile (handout); Grammatik-review: Verben im Präsens und Übungen im Workbook, S. 3 (Imperative, Imperfekt-review und Personalpronomen).

    Montag

    29.08.05

    Review vocab and grammar structures. Write an essay about yourself: Ich bin ich - nicht irgendwer!

    Kapitel 25: Miteinander. Videothek: Übungen und Vokabeln. (FD: pp.12=15).

    Mittwoch 31.08.05

    In FDWB, complete Übung A on p. 5 and A. on p. 8 and D and E on p. 9

    Kapitel 25: Strukturen: The simple past tense: Übungen.

    Freitag 02.09.05

    In FB, complete Übung A and C on p. 18 and Übung C on p. 11 of FDWB

    Kapitel 25: Strukturen: Conjunctions and negation: Übungen.

    Mittwoch

    07.09.05

    In FDWB complete Übungen I (p. 13) and J, K, L, M on p. 14.

    Reading comprehension: Mendelssohn und Friedrich der Große: Gruppenarbeit.

    Freitag 09.09.05

    Write an essay about your family: Meine Familie ist etwas ganz Besonderes.

    Kapitel 25: Review: Vokabeln, Grammatik.

    Montag 12.09.05

    Study for the chapter quiz.

    Kapitel 25 Quiz

    Mittwoch 14.09.05

     

    Kapitel 26: Jugend. Videothek: Übungen und Vokabeln. (FD: pp. 32-35).

    Freitag 16.09.05

    In FDWB, p. 21 complete Übungen D und E and on 22 complete Übungen A und B

    Kapitel 26: Strukturen: Accusative/dative case: Direct and indirect objects: Übungen.

    Montag 19.09.05

    In FDWB, p. 24 complete Übungen A und B.

    Kapitel 26: Strukturen: review accusative/dative. Review: Genitive: Übungen

    Mittwoch 21.09.05

    IN FDWB, p. 26 complete Übung G and on p. 27 Übung H and I.

    Kapitel 26: Strukturen: Review of two-way prepositions: Übungen.

    Freitag

    23.09.05

    IN FDWB, p. 28 complete Übung K.

    Kapitel 26: Listening comprehension: Perspektiven: Neuer Erziehungsstil in Österreich: Übungen.

    Montag

    26.09.05

    Review the chapter, bring questions.

    Kapitel 26 review.

    Mittwoch 28.09.05

    Study for the quiz!

    Kapitel 26: Quiz

    Freitag

    30.09.05

     

    keine Klasse

    Montag

    3.10.05

     

    Kapitel 27: Videothek: Schulalltag. Übungen und Vokabeln.

    Mittwoch

    5.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 33 and 34 complete Übungen A,E and F.

    Kapitel 27: Strukturen: Der and ein-words, adjectives: Übungen.

    Freitag

    7.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 38 complete Übungen A, B and C.

    Kapitel 27: Strukturen: Adjectives: Übungen.

    Montag

    10.10.05

     

    Fall Break: rest and relax!

    Mittwoch 12.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 40 complete Übungen F, G und H and on p. 42 complete Übung A.

    Kapitel 27: Review

    Freitag 14.10.05

     

    Kapitel 27: Quiz

    Montag 17.10.05

     

    Kapitel 28: Videothek: Universität. Übungen und Vokabeln.

    Mittwoch 19.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 51 complete Übungen C and D and on p. 54 Übung A, B und E.

    Kapitel 28: Strukturen: Der Konjunktiv, Erklärungen und Übungen.

    Freitag 21.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 56/57 complete Übung A, B und D.

    Kapitel 28: Strukturen: Der Konjunktiv, Übungen.

    Montag 24.10.05

    In FDWB, p. 57 complete Übung E, on p. 59 complete Übung G and I.

    Kapitel 28: Perspektiven: Wir lesen ein deutsches Märchen! Frau Holle.  Let's talk  reading strategies etc...

    Mittwoch

    26.05

     

    In FDWB, read p. 62 of Frau Holle and try to get the gist of the meaning. come to the next class prepared to ask and answer questions about what you have read.

    Kapitel 28: Perspektiven: Frau Holle - ein deutsches Märchen.

    Freitag

    28.10.05

    In FDWB on p. 63/64 complete exercises C, D and E.

    Kapitel 28:Perspektiven: finish up with Frau Holle. Begin of chapter review: Übungen.

    Montag

    31.10.05

     

    Kapitel 28: Review

    Mittwoch

    02.11.05

    Study for the quiz!

    Kapitel 28: Quiz

    Freitag

    4.11.05

     

    Kapitel 29: Videothek: Arbeit und Wirtschaft. Übungen und Vokabeln.

    Montag

    7.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 68/69 complete Übung C and E and on p. 70/71 complete Übung A, B and C.

    Kapitel 29: Strukturen: Der Komparativ: Erklärung und Übungen.

    Mittwoch

    9.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 72 complete Übungen A and B and on p. 74 complete Übung F, G and H.

    Kapitel 29: Strukturen: Der Superlativ: Erklärung und Übungen.

    Freitag

    11.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 75/ 76 complete Übungen I, J and K.

    Kapitel 29: Strukturen: Partizipien: Erklärung und Übungen.

    Montag

    14.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 76 complete Übung L and M.

    Kapitel 29: Perspektiven: Eine Ahnung von Tuten und Blasen.

    Mittwoch

    16.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 77 complete Übung A

    Kapitel 29: Review

    Freitag

    18.11.05

     

    Kapitel 29: Review

    Montag

    21.11.05

    Study for the quiz!

    Kapitel 29: Quiz

    Mittwoch

    23.11.05

     

    Frohes Erntedankfest! Schöne Ferien!

    Montag

    28.11.05

     

    Kapitel 30: Videothek: Männer und Frauen. Übungen und Vokabeln.

    Mittwoch

    30.11.05

    In FDWB, p. 81/83 complete Übung A and C and on p. 85/86 A, B and D. 

    Kapitel 30: Strukturen: Indirkete Rede. Erklärung und Übungen.

    Freitag

    2.12.05

    In FDWB, p. 87 complete Übung A, on p. 88 Übung C and on p. 90, Übung F.

    Kapitel 30 Strukturen: Indirekte Rede, Fragen. Imperativ-Formen. Review und teaching evals.

    Montag

    5.12.05

    In FDWB, p. 91 complete Übung G, H and on p. 92, Übung K. Study for the quiz!

    Kapitel 30: Quiz

    Mittwoch

    7.12.05

     

    Kultur: Wie die Deutschen Weihnachten feiern. (with goodies).

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