Course number: 3011, sec. 001 Instructor: Nicole Grewling

Course designator: 51382 Office location: Folwell 209

Time: 12:20-2:15 PM W, F Phone: 612-625-9350

Location: Folwell 214 E-mail: grew0014@umn.edu

Number of credits: 4 Office hours: tba

Prerequisites: Ger 1004 or equivalent; LPE strongly recommended

Texts: F. Dürrenmatt, Die Physiker. (required; Coffman)

A. Hoptman, Sprachbau. (SB) (required; Student Bookstore)

Course Reader. (CR) (required; Coffman)

Harper Collins German College Dictionary (optional; Coffman)

Reference grammars (recommended) available on-line:

In German: http://members.aol.com/UdoKlinger/Inhalt.html

In English: http://www.travlang.com/languages/german/ihgg/

German 3011W Conversation and Composition

Welcome to German 3011! This course is designed to provide a transition from the beginning and intermediate German language courses to the more specialized upper-level literature and culture courses that we hope you will soon be taking. The specific goals of this course are as follows:

* To provide a setting in which you can become a more competent and proficient speaker and writer of German. You will also continue to hone your listening and reading skills.

* To offer a grammar review that will strengthen your language skills and answer grammar questions you might still have.

* To prepare you to be a better reader of texts and writers in many different literary genres and to help you create well-conceived and written academic papers. The skills and strategies you exercise in this course should help you with writing and reading in all of your courses.

* To add depth to your understanding of another culture through engagement with significant aspects of literature, society, and communicative conventions in German-speaking countries. We will also make comparisons between German contexts and the U.S. and Europe.

Semesterplan

Schwerpunkt	Aktivitäten	Grammatik	Hausaufgabe	Tests und Abgabetermine
Mi, 19.1. Einführung	Einführung in den Kurs
Fr, 21.1. Personen- beschreibung	Textarbeit: Formales		Der männermordende Vamp (CR) Syllabus lesen
Mi, 26.1. Personen- beschreibung	LAB 151 Einführung in Blogs; blogging Textarbeit	SB Kap.1
Fr, 28.1. Personen- beschreibung	Textarbeit	SB Kap.2	Selbstbildnis (CR)	1.TAGEBUCH
Mi, 2.2. Personen- beschreibung	LAB 151: Aufsatzarbeit Textarbeit		Biographien: Physiker S.89-91	AUFSATZ 1 ENTWURF
Fr, 4.2. Personen- beschreibung	Textarbeit	SB Kap.3	Physiker S.3-10, Z11	1.GRAMMATIKPRÜFUNG
Mi, 9.2. Erlebte Geschichte	LAB 152: Aufsatzarbeit Textarbeit: Formales		Physiker bis S. 16, Z14	AUFSATZ 1 – 2.FASSUNG
Fr, 11.2. Erlebte Geschichte	Textarbeit	SB Kap.4	Die erste eigene Wohnung (CR)	2.TAGEBUCH
Mi, 16.2. Erlebte Geschichte	LAB 152 Textarbeit Sehen: Good bye Lenin	SB Kap.5A	Physiker bis S.25, Z4	3.TAGEBUCH
Fr, 18.2. Erlebte Geschichte	Textarbeit: Sehen: Good bye Lenin	SB Kap.5B	Physiker bis S.32, Z18	4.TAGEBUCH
Mi, 23.2. Erlebte Geschichte	LAB 152: Aufsatzarbeit Textarbeit:	SB Kap.6		AUFSATZ 2 ENTWURF
Fr, 25.2. Erlebte Geschichte	Textarbeit	SB Anhang 1	Physiker bis S.38, Z.26	2.GRAMMATIKPRÜFUNG
Mi, 2.3. Bericht	LAB 152: Aufsatzarbeit Textarbeit: Formales			AUFSATZ 2 – 2.FASSUNG
Fr, 4.3. Bericht	Textarbeit	SB Kap.8	Nachrichten	5.TAGEBUCH
Mi, 9.3. Bericht	LAB 152 Textarbeit		Physiker bis S.45, Z.15
Fr, 11.3. Bericht	Textarbeit	SB Kap.9	Das letzte Kapitel (CR)	6.TAGEBUCH
UNTERRICHTSFREI - SPRING BREAK
Mi, 23.3. Bericht	LAB 152	SB Kap.11		7.TAGEBUCH 1.MÜNDLICHE PRÜFUNG
Fr, 25.3. Debatte	Textarbeit: Formales		Physiker bis S.53, Z.2	3.GRAMMATIKPRÜFUNG
Mi, 30.3. Debatte	LAB 151 Textarbeit: Sprechen	SB Kap.10	Physiker bis S.60, Z.21	8.TAGEBUCH
Fr, 1.4. Debatte	Textarbeit: Sprechen	SB Anhang 5	Physiker bis S.66, Z.28
Mi, 6.4. Debatte	LAB 152	SB Kap.12		2. MÜNDLICHE PRÜFUNG
Fr, 8.4. Interpretation	Textarbeit: Formales		Borchert (handout)	9.TAGEBUCH 4.GRAMMATIKPRÜFUNG
Mi, 13.4. Interpretation	LAB 152 Textarbeit	SB Kap.7	Physiker bis S.72, Z11
Fr, 15.4. Interpretation	Textarbeit		Physiker bis S.78, Z21
Mi, 20.4. Interpretation	LAB 152 Textarbeit	SB Kap.13	Physiker bis S.85, Z12
Fr, 22.4. Interpretation	Textarbeit		Physiker bis S.91
Mi, 27.4. Interpretation	LAB 152 Aufsatzarbeit Textarbeit	SB Kap.14		AUFSATZ 3 ENTWURF
Fr, 29.4 Interpretation	Textarbeit		Mein blaues Klavier (CR)	10.TAGEBUCH 5.GRAMMATIKPRÜFUNG
Mi, 4.5 Wiederholung	LAB 152 Aufsatzarbeit			AUFSATZ 3- 2.FASSUNG
Fr, 6.5. Mündliche Prüfung - Final				MÜNDLICHE ABSCHLUSSPRÜFUNG

Tagebuch-Themen:

Sie werden insgesamt zehn Tagebucheinträge in Ihrem Kurs-Blog verfassen. Schreiben Sie ca. 100-200 Wörter zu den folgenden Themen. Falls Sie einen anderen Vorschlag für einen Tagebucheintrag haben, sprechen Sie bitte vorher mit mir.

Tagebuch 1: Beschreiben Sie ein Familienmitglied. Achten Sie darauf, dass Sie sowohl das Innere als auch das Äußere dieser Person gründlich beschreiben. Wie sieht er/sie aus? Was für eine Person ist er/sie? Wie ist Ihr Verhältnis zu dieser Person? Seien Sie kreativ und bedenken Sie die Diskussionen zum Thema Personen beschreiben, die wir während der Klasse hatten.

Tagebuch 2: Wladimir Kaminer ist ei in Deutschland lebender Russe. In seiner Geschichte beschreibt er die Situation nach der Maueröffnung aus seiner persönlichen Sicht und spricht über verschiedene andere ethnische Gruppen. Welche Unterschiede gibt es zwischen ihnen? Schreiben Sie einen kurzen Text, in dem Sie Kaminers Geschichte aus der Perspektive einer der Gruppen in seinem Text erzählen (z.B. Juden, Vietnamesen).

Tagebuch 3: Erzählen Sie eine Geschichte aus Ihrer Jugend oder Kindheit. Wählen Sie ein Ereignis aus dieser Zeit (z.B. den ersten Tag an der High School, das Kennenlernen von Ihrem/Ihrer engsten Freund/in, ein Familienfest, u.s.w.), das besonders lustig, wichtig, interessant oder typisch war. Versuchen Sie, stilistische Mittel anzuwenden, um die Erzählung für den Leser so spannend wie möglich zu machen.

Tagebuch 4: Stellen Sie sich vor, dass Sie zur Zeit eines bedeutenden historischen Ereignisses (z.B. dem Angriff auf Pearl Harbor, der Maueröffnung 1989, o.ä.) gelebt haben oder schreiben Sie über ein historisches Erlebnis, das Sie tatsächlich erlebt haben. Schreiben Sie eine kurze Beschreibung von Ihren Erfahrungen und Ihrem Tagesablauf während dieser Zeit. Wie haben Sie diese Dinge erlebt? Was haben Sie erlebt, wie haben Sie sich gefühlt?

Tagebuch 5: Thema wird noch bekanntgegeben.

Tagebuch 6: Beschreiben Sie Ihre ersten Reaktionen auf das Gedicht “Das letzte Kapitel” von Erich Kästner. Worum geht es in dem Gedicht? Welche Gefühle löst es in Ihnen aus?

Tagebuch 7: Schreiben Sie einen objektiven Zeitungsartikel im Stil einer bekannten Zeitung (The New York Times, The Pioneer Press, etc.) über ein Thema Ihrer Wahl. Benutzen Sie Zitate aus wirklichen oder gefälschten Interviews.

Tagebuch 8: Schreiben Sie einen Leserbrief an die Minnesota Daily, in dem Sie eine Meinung zu einem Thema, Problem oder Situation argumentieren. Entwickeln Sie eine These und begründen Sie sie mit mehreren Argumenten im Stile einer Debatte.

Tagebuch 9: Schreiben Sie Ihre ersten Gedanken und Interpretationsideen zu Wolfgang Borcherts Text auf.

Tagebuch 10: Worum geht es in Else Lasker-Schülers Gedicht? Beschreiben Sie Ihre Ideen und Reaktionen.

Course Content and Goals

This course focuses on different text genres, e.g., descriptive texts, informative texts, opinion pieces or literary analyses. In this semester, we will work through five genres, and you will participate in in-class activities that will help make you better writers, and complete a short essay at the end of three of these chapters to demonstrate what you have learned. These papers will be revised—a process that will help you learn about writing and your abilities as a writer of German.

You also will use the grammar textbook Sprachbau. This text provides a comprehensive (and amusing) review of German grammar that offers students the opportunity to improve grammatical control while gaining a greater breadth of knowledge about German grammar in general. There will be nightly homework from Sprachbau (answer key provided in the back of the textbook), and five grammar quizzes during the semester to reinforce the grammar you have been learning.

Aside from the class and small group discussions in this course, there will be oral interviews so you can practice your spoken German in different situations. This is a writing intensive course and you will write three formal essays. All written assignments must be typed and handed in on time.

By the end of the course, I hope you will have improved your German grammar, learned to feel more comfortable writing and speaking German, become a better writer, increased your vocabulary, and, most of all, become more flexible in adapting your German - in tone and style - to the needs of differing situations.

Instructor Expectations

Reciprocity and respect are central to the learning process. Respect for the unique background and skills of each person in the class creates an atmosphere where all students feel comfortable contributing to and sharing with the group. An appreciation of diversity is particularly important when learning about a foreign culture. I expect you to help create such an atmosphere conducive to your own, and your classmates’, learning.

I expect each of you to attend class, participate actively, and complete all of the assigned homework or reading by the date due. If you are unable to complete any of the assignments or cannot come to class on any given day, you must notify me ahead of time (by e-mail, phone, or written note in my mailbox using the GSD main office, Fol. 205). Make-up work will only be allowed in cases of serious illness, family emergency, or university-excused absences. I will ask you to provide proof of your reason of absence. You are responsible for approaching me to make up work that you have missed. Please note that class participation points cannot be made up.

Central to your success in this course will be regular attendance, preparation, and participation. Classroom activities give you the chance to speak, write and read German, to listen to spoken German, and to understand and apply grammar structures. Your visible, audible, constructive contribution to the class as a whole guarantees that you will receive participation credit. More importantly, it improves your language learning.

Sprechstunden

My Sprechstunde and tutorial hour are two hours that I set aside each week exclusively for you and I encourage all of you to visit me. This is an opportunity for you to get individual help, so please try to make a point to come and see me at least once during the semester. I am also available by appointment if you have a scheduling conflict.

You are all also invited to attend the Kaffeestunde, a German conversation practice sponsored by the department and open to German speakers of all abilities from beginners to native speakers. Details will be announced during the first weeks of classes.

If you have a question about the course content or organization, PLEASE ASK! And please come to my office hour or talk to me after class.

Grading

Oral Expression (40%)

Your grade for oral expression depends on your class participation, final oral exam, as well as your oral partner interview and the in-class debate (10% each). Since you need practice in listening and speaking to improve these skills, I will expect you to participate actively in partner, small-group and class discussions.

Written Expression (40%)

Your grade for written expression will be a combination of your grade for interesting and thoughtful journals (10% of total grade), and three essays written in the various genres. The journals are seen as a place for exploration and experimentation with the language; as such, they will be graded for language production and effort. Some journal assignments will also include responding to your peers’ journal entries; you must complete this part of the assignment to receive credit for it. Essays will be graded for both form and content, or more precisely for Inhalt, Stil, und Grammatik, which means you will be working in this course on content (formulation of ideas and arguments), composition of ideas, language use (vocabulary) and style (rhetorical features), as well as grammar. You will start writing the essay in class with the support from your classmates and the instructor. The content and style of this first draft will be reviewed in class. This version will be read by your instructor, who will draw attention to the passages where grammar mistakes need to be corrected (there will be a specific grammar focus for each essay) or where your argument might have to be developed more carefully. You will then revise your essay, using your peers’ and instructor’s corrections and suggestions. The final grade for each essay is based equally on the categories Inhalt, Stil, Organisation and Grammatik. Please be aware that writing an essay is a process and that it is therefore important that you compose a first draft and keep working on it to improve it. The essays will increase in length over the course of the semester.

Grammar Quizzes / Final Grammar Exam (20%)

There will be five grammar quizzes during the semester, with the first four quizzes testing the grammar topics covered since the respective previous quiz (usually three chapters in Sprachbau). The final grammar quiz will test all topics covered over the course of the semester. The grammar quizzes will comprise 20% of your final grade.

Grading Breakdown

Oral Expression

Class participation 10%

Oral interview 10%

Debate 10%

Final Oral Exam 10% Total 40%

Written Expression

10 Journals à1% 10%

3 Essays (Draft + Final) à 10% 30% Total 40%

Grammar Quizzes / Final Exam

4 Grammatikprüfungen à 3%

1 Abschlussprüfung à 8% 20% Total 20%

Final total 100%

Final Course Grades

Final course percentages Course Grade

93 – 100% = A

90 – 92% = A-

87 – 89% = B+

83 – 86% = B

80 – 82% = B-

77 – 79% = C+

73 – 76% = C

70 – 72% = C-

67 – 69% = D+

63 – 66% = D

60 – 62% = D-

59% and below = F

A-F Grading

A = Achievement is outstanding relative to level necessary to meet requirements.

B = Achievement significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.

C = Achievement meets the course requirements in every respect

D = Worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.

F= Not acceptable, minimal basic course requirements are not met.

I= Only given in exceptional cases

S= (S/N) grading, given when student attains at least a C on the A-F scale

Make-Up, Late Work Policy, Incomplete Policy

No make-up exams will be given, except for in cases of serious illness, family emergency, or a University excused absence. You must approach your instructor in order to be eligible for make-up work. You will be required to provide proof of your reason of absence. Work that is submitted late may be subject to penalties at the discretion of the instructor. Please contact me as soon as possible by e-mail or phone if it is necessary for you to be absent from class. In accordance with University policy, you may be excused from class to participate in religious observances and for approved University activities.

Incompletes are rarely given in language courses. Following University Senate grading policy, the I will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the student was prevented from completing the work of the course on time. I ask that seminar members plan to complete their work during the semester. The assignment of an I requires a written agreement between the instructor and student specifying the time and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements. In no event may any such written agreement allow a period of longer than one year to complete the course requirements.

Auditing and S/N Policies

In general, students should plan to take German language courses for a grade. Please note that auditors will be asked to complete homework, examinations, and in-class activities assigned to students enrolled for A-F credit. Auditors need to inform their instructors that they have enrolled in the course as an official auditor the first day of class.

University Policies

Disability Services: Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. For more information about possible arrangements, contact Disabilities Services at McNamara Alumni Center, Suite 180 and speak with me at the beginning of the semester.

Scholastic Honesty: Be aware that your work for this course should conform to University policies concerning scholastic honesty. Scholastic dishonesty will result in either an "F" for the assignment or an "F" for the course. It includes, but is not limited to, cheating on assignments or examinations, plagiarizing (misrepresenting as one's own anything done by another), submitting the same or substantially similar papers (or creative work) for more than one course without prior consent of all instructors concerned, sabotaging another's work, and unauthorized collaboration (such as substantial rewriting of an essay by another) on assignments or exams.

Senate Student Academic Workload Policy: For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of 3 hours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For this 4-credit course you should expect to spend 8-10 hours a week on coursework outside the classroom.

Classroom Policies: All students at the University have the right to a civil, productive, and stimulating learning environment. Sexual harassment by or toward a member of the University community is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. Students are responsible for being on time and prepared for all class sessions, and for seeking academic help in a timely fashion if needed. I expect that you will be responsible for meeting all course requirements, observing all deadlines, examination times, and other course procedures. I look forward to lively and productive discussions in this course.

Weitere wichtige Informationen für Deutschstudenten

Folwell 128 – Gerhard Weiss Library:

Kostenloser Tutorenservice (s. Plan an der Tür; 3011 Tutorenstunden tba)

Grammatikbücher, Lexika, deutsche Zeitungen, Zeitschriften, Literatur, etc.

Folwell 148 – Sprach-Computerlabor (s. Anhang/separates Handout):

Wichtige Websites:

CLA Language Center German links: http://www.languagecenter.cla.umn.edu/index.php?page=links_german

German online dictionary: http://dict.leo.org/?lang=de

U of M GSD website: http://www.folwell.umn.edu/gsd/

U of M German Dorm: www.folwell.umn.edu/gsd/ugopts.html#DeutschesHaus

U of M German Club: umn_germanclub@hotmail.com

German Studies Organization: www.g-s-a.org/

Goethe-Institut Chicago: www.goethe.de/uk/chi/enindex.htm

MN-American Association of Teachers of German: webcampus3.stthomas.edu/paschons/language_http/German/MNAATG.html

Be in the Know

The Department has two ListServs for distributing messages via e-mail to undergraduate majors and minors, one for German and another for Scandinavian. We ask that all majors and minors subscribe to the appropriate ListServ so you can receive up-to-date announcements and information that might be of help for you. You will also be able to post announcements that you think would be of interest to other majors and minors.

To subscribe to the ListServ

If you have a signature set up for your outgoing e-mail, you must temporarily disable it in order to subscribe. Also, make sure that what you type in the message box is on the first line. Some e-mail programs (including the University’s web mail) put in a blank line at the start of the message box. The listserv software looks for information on that line, and if it doesn’t find anything there, it disregards the message.

1. Send a message to
autoshare@gsd.cla.umn.edu

2. Leave the “subject” box blank

3. In the “message body” type:
sub germanug first-name last-name [for the German list] OR
sub scanug first-name last-name [for the Scandinavian list]

4. Post the message. Your name will be automatically added to the list and you will receive an e-mail confirming that you are now a member.

Example:

How to Send a Message

To send a message to the group, post an e-mail to
germanug@gsd.cla.umn.edu OR scanug@gsd.cla.umn.edu

When the ListServ receives your message, it will be forwarded to all members of the group. If everything is working correctly, you should receive your message back about 10 minutes after you send it. If you are having problems with the list, contact Cathy Parlin (625-6835; parli002@tc.umn.edu).

How to Leave the List

When you graduate, or if you will be no longer be on e-mail, please unsubscribe from the list. Follow the same steps as for subscribing, but in the message type:

unsub scanug [or unsub germanug] (you do not have to include your name here).

The Language Center

...if you’re tired of your textbook, or just want more exposure to German – this is what the Language Center can offer you!

1. Websites for German: dictionaries, online-exercises, German-speaking newspapers, fun facts, etc.

Open your browser and go to http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu (=Elsie’s homepage)

click on Links (upper right corner)

click on German and explore any category that sounds interesting or click on Search engines in German to look for more things that interest you

Some sites (especially under Learning and Education and News and Weather) also have audio/video files you can listen to.

2. The LC Multi-Media Lab in Folwell 148

Hours
Monday - Thursday	8:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday	8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

3. Language-Learning software (in Folwell 148)

To see a list of available software, go to http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu (=Elsie’s homepage), click on Search materials (bottom of the page) and then click on Search for Software.

You can search by language or other categories.

You can check out and use the software in Folwell 148. Ask a lab attendant for the software (some CDROMs come with manuals).

This is also how you can check out the Wende-CDROM with Dasher and Libra exercises (1st year German) – these are Mac only!

Macintosh	PC
click on Language Programs click on the German flag Double-click the program desired and follow instructions	Select Start -> Language Programs -> German etc. to the desired program (note: programs might not be installed on all machines; ask a lab attendant if you can’t find the one you want)

4.Spell checking in German/German letters

Spell check (only in Microsoft Word):

Open document

Select Edit -> Select all

Select Tools -> Language -> Set Language

Select the language you need and click ok

Spell-check as usual and save your document afterwards

If the language is set to German, German spacing and typing conventions will apply as well.

German letters

You can insert them into your document with Insert -> Symbols, or use shortcuts:

PC /Windows	Macintosh
ä ctrl+:, a	ä option+u, a
Ä ctrl+:, A	Ä option+u, A
ö ctrl+:, o	ö option+u, o
Ö ctrl+:, O	Ö option+u, O
ü ctrl+:, u	ü option+u, u
Ü ctrl+:, U	Ü option+u, U
ß ctrl+&, s	ß option+s

(Note: for capitalized Umlauts, you need to press shift+the letter)

5. Reserve computers and VCRs

You can make an online reservation to work on a computer or VCR in Folwell 148. Go to https://folh148.lrs.umn.edu/LRS/authenticate.asp or simply follow the links from the Students link on the LC homepage.

Note: If the lab is busy, language students have priority over students of other subjects. So if you are working on your German in whatever form, you should always be able to find a spot here.

6. German films

The Language Center has a collection of tapes and DVDs that students can check out from Folwell 51 and watch in Folwell 148 (two headphones per station). The tapes may not leave the building.

For a list of available films, go to http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu (=Elsie’s homepage), click on Search materials (bottom of the page) and then click on Search for Audio and Video. Set Language to German and Category to Feature Film/Documentary, then hit Start Search

The VCRs in Folwell 148 play all video formats, so you can also bring your own German PAL videotapes and watch them there.

You may also reserve Folwell 51a to view a video with a group of people (except during peak times).

7. German TV

The International Channel is available on the TVs in Folwell 148. Unfortunately, German news is broadcast at 7.00 am (some other German programs are shown on weekends), i.e. before the lab opens. But we might soon be able to offer recording services, so that students can request to have a program taped. *work in progress*

The program for the International Channel can be found under http://www.internationalchannel.com/ic/ps.jsp

...and more: e.g.: reserving a camcorder and rooms for filming skits for class (incl. tips for filming), using rooms for audiotaping, more details on the Multimedia lab, etc.

go to http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu/ and follow the link Students. Or surf the entire website to find even more information.