GERMAN 301 (4170) – German Conversation and Composition
MWF 11:10-12:00
(Plus a one hour per week tutorial with the German Language Teaching Assistant)
Vulgamore 103
Fulfills the Global Studies category requirement
Dr. Catherine Grimm
Office: Vulgamore 107
Office hours: MWF 1:00-2:00 and by appointment
Tel.: 629- 0269
Course webpage: http://people.albion.edu/cgrimm/Fall09GER301.htm
Instructor’s Homepage: http://people.albion.edu/cgrimm/
Email: cgrimm@albion.edu
“Die Grenzen meiner Sprache sind die Grenzen meiner Welt”
Ludwig Wittgenstein, (1889 - 1951), “Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus”
This course will focus on the development of comprehension, speaking, listening and writing skills in German; selective review of complex grammatical structures; and practice speaking about everyday situations in different ways. Writing of exercises and compositions will emphasize correctness of expression, stylistic appropriateness and idiomatic usage. The learning of specialized vocabulary and working on proficiency in different types of writing will be emphasized.
Please be aware that this course also consists of a weekly 1 hour tutorial with the German Language Teaching Assistant. This will be scheduled during the first week of class.
By the end of the class, students knowledge of German vocabulary will have expanded beyond the basic or intermediate range. They will be able to write and converse about a wide-ranging and sophisticated variety of topics including issues in German-speaking history, how Germans deal with their own difficult past, the role of art and the artist in modern society, political and social issues related to the reunification of Germany. They will also have a deeper understanding of more complex grammatical topics including the passive voice, participles as adjectives and the subjunctive. Students will be well prepared to proceed to the next higher level of German instruction at Albion or elsewhere.
My hope is that many, if not all of you, will all decide to continue your German language and culture studies here at Albion College, either in the form of a major, a minor or the new minor in German Language & Culture Studies for Special Purposes. Studying a foreign language and culture has many benefits, especially as it relates to changes in our global surroundings. If you would like to find out more about what opportunities you will have if you continue your German studies, including the many options for study abroad in a German-speaking country, please come and see me during my office hours, MWF from 1-2p.m or by appointment.
1. Motyl-Murdretzkj, Irene and Michaela Späinghaus. Anders gedacht: Text and Context in the German-Speaking World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.
2. Späinghaus, Michaela. Übungsbuch – Anders gedacht. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.
In class we will work on exercises and readings from the textbook. We will also spend some time working on a review of some general grammar issues. The book’s chapters cover intriguing yet challenging topics, and students will increase their language skills, through engaging wit these thought-provoking yet relevant issues and themes. Examples of in-class activities include:
- Group-brainstorming on German vocabulary related to specific themes
- Group discussion on different historical, cultural or political topics
- In-depth Analysis of different sorts of texts, including paintings and films.
- Grammar work related to the texts we will be working with.
- Practice of grammar issues that will be discussed.
You will be assigned homework after (almost) very class, as a review of what was done on that day or in preparation for the next lesson. Occasionally I will assign essays two or three lesson days before they are due, to give you enough time to complete it. There will also be one oral report that you will be responsible for.
In addition to our MWF lessons you will meet with Catherine Ehm, our German T.A. to work on additional exercises and texts. Please bring your schedules with you to the next class, so we can find a time that fits everybody’s schedule. Attendance at the tutorial is mandatory!
Personal Vocabulary Lists
Instead of a chapter exam, at the end of each of our chapters you will turn in a customized list of new vocabulary items (nouns, verbs, adjectives/adverbs etc…) that will include a sample sentence where you use each of “your” words in a sentence. These lists are more challenging than they seem, because you are being asked to use new or unfamiliar words in an idiomatic manner. You really need to take some time reflecting on how the word is correctly used in German. For this reason you will turn in a draft and a corrected version of each of the five lists. The vocabulary lists are one of the main assessment tools of the class.
Class participation
Class participation (which includes tutorials) is a crucial component of this course. It is also closely linked to homework because in order to be able to participate fully in each class, you will have to have completed all the homework activities assigned for that particular day.
Statement on class attendance:
Regular attendance in all classes is expected. Every absence from class is inevitably a loss —usually one which can never be made up. A student has the responsibility to inform his or her faculty member, whenever possible in advance, of an absence due to serious or prolonged illness, and verification of absences due to emergency reasons, may be obtained from the Office of Residential Life. If a student misses more than three classes his or her grade for the class will be negatively affected.
Kulturaktivitäten und Sprachtische:
In addition to your class and tutorial requirements, we would like all German students to actively participate in our weekly cultural activities and our exciting and fun weekly Sprachtische. Our German language table (Sprachtisch) will take place every Wednesday from 12-1:00pm. The weekly cultural activity will take place on a night and at a time to be determined shortly. For this class I would like each of you to attend 3 Sprachtische and 3 Kulturaktivitäten. If you have a time conflict with one of these, just attend more of the other. If you have a time-conflict with both please come and seem soon so we can come up with a way for you to make these up.
Expectations of student behavior:
Excessive reoccurring tardiness will affect your participation grade. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please turn off your cell phones when you are in class. Lack of preparation will also affect your grade negatively.
Grade Breakdown: Your grade for this class will be calculated in the following way:
1. Attendance and participation, including the tutorial 30%
2. Homework (will include some essays) 15%
3. Vocabulary list grades 10 x 2.5% =50%
4. Participation in cultural activities and events. 5%
How to succeed in German 301
- Participate constructively in all the in-class activities, even one’s that don’t immediately appeal to you. A positive attitude will help your learning and will make the class time go by more pleasantly.
- Always complete the homework meticulously, punctually and to the best of your abilities.
- Study the vocabulary for each chapter. (See the description of vocabulary lists above.)
- Reach out to your Professor in a timely fashion, if you have any questions about the course content, or German in general. In some cases I may have to tell you that I will get back to you on something, but I will definitely do my best to find the answer to your question.
Statement on academic integrity:
As an academic community, Albion College is firmly committed to honor and integrity in the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, as a member of this academic community, each student acknowledges responsibility for his or her actions and commits to the highest standards of integrity. In doing so, each student makes a covenant with the college not to engage in any form of academic dishonesty, fraud, cheating, or theft. For the full policy please see the on-line Catalog (under “Academic Regulations” and the on-line Student Handbook.
Disability Statement:
If you have a disability and may require accommodations or modifications in class instruction or course-related activities, please contact the Learning Support Center (LSC) staff who can arrange for reasonable accommodations for students who provide documentation of their disability/condition. If you are presently registered with the LSC and have requested accommodations through the LSC for this semester, please plan to meet with me as early as possible to discuss the best way to implement these accommodations in this class. The LSC is located on the third floor of the Seeley Mudd library or call 517-629-0825