Intermediate German II

FLG 202-001

Spring 2008

NC State University

Taught in German

                                               
Sabine Bridges

 

 

515-9304

sjbridge@ncsu.edu 

Office hours: M/W/F 8:00-9:00, and by appointment,

Withers Hall 304

  Contact by email will get you the fastest response.

Course web site for enrolled students: http://vista.ncsu.edu. Important: before logging in at the Vista site with your unity or instructor-provided ID, please click in the top right corner "New to WebCT Vista? Start here!", then work through the student section. In particular, make sure your browser is configured correctly, i.e. do the browser check from the link there or from here: http://vista.ncsu.edu/help/browser/index.phpAlso, you need to have your pop-ups enabled (in your browser go to tools, pop-up blocker and either enable it there or enter vista.ncsu.edu into the list of permitted sites in "pop-up blocker settings"). And you need a microphone hooked up to your computer.

Catalog Description

Last of four consecutive courses in German. Continued conversational practice to develop proficiency in speaking and listening. Development of advanced writing skills by refining grammatical structures and style through assignments, and of advanced reading skills through the use of cultural and literary texts from the German-speaking countries.
Course Description

Course Description

In this course we will make the important transition from your first year textbook to handling "authentic" German language. We will review and deepen our knowledge of grammar, strengthen our reading and writing skills, listen to a variety of audio texts and songs, and practice our speaking skills. We will also become acquainted with important issues from the cultures of the German-speaking countries, such as the German love of traveling; fairy tales, poems, and paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries relating to nature and hiking; the German political party of the Greens and environmental issues and technologies; Germany and its immigrants; and a famous musical ensemble, the "Comedian Harmonists", their historical and cultural context of the 1920s and 1930s, their songs, and a film made about them.

Prerequisites

At NC State University you need to have completed FLG 201 or have placed into the 202 level; in more general terms, you should have three semesters of college German or the equivalent.

Course Goals

FLG 202 is conducted entirely in German and emphasizes the four basic language skills plus cultural awareness. We have a very ambitious agenda which targets:

1. Speaking in a variety of modes
a. answering and asking questions

b. circumlocution: defining/describing when exact words fail

c. acting (in self-written or other) skits and role playing

d. responding to and formulating personalized questions

e. negotiating and communicating in German

2. Reading for a variety of purposes
a. gathering information

b. establishing general ideas

c. making generalizations

d. sequencing events

e. interpreting information (factual and fictional)

3. Hearing/understanding instructor, peers, audio, video and film

4. Writing
a. exercises (from recombination and copying to open-ended creative writing)
b. communicative activities: making lists, taking notes, writing memos, etc.
c. several topical essays (graded holistically)

5. Cultural awareness
a. deeper interest in German language and in the culture of German-speaking countries
b. sensitivity to issues and problems of contemporary life in German-speaking countries
c. familiarity with recent political events in German-speaking countries
d. increased awareness of cultural diversity in general
e. preparedness for those interested in studying abroad
f. viewing art exhibitions related to the culture of German-speaking countries

6. Metacognitive skills: Awareness of the language learning process.
a. Formulating individual strategies
b. Formulating individual goals and reflecting on them in the course of the semester

Student Learning Objectives

By the end of the semester, if you have attended all classes, completed all written and listening assignments successfully, and received at least a B-grade on all exams, you should be able to:

¥ speak and understand German well enough to converse comfortably with a German speaker (accustomed to dealing with non-natives) about yourself, your family, interests, daily activities, and topics of general interest;

¥ read and understand the main ideas and most important supporting details of a variety of authentic and edited texts of varied length (e.g. brief newspaper articles, descriptions, summaries, poems, short stories) and be able to locate specific information in such texts;

¥ write reasonably coherent and grammatically appropriate texts (e.g. letters, notes, summaries, and descriptions) related to everyday topics, experiences, and class readings;

¥ understand and grasp the main ideas of spoken German in straightforward formal oral texts (e.g. announcements, weather reports, commercials), as well as conversations and discussions on familiar topics;

¥ understand and grasp the main ideas of a variety of videos and film clips intended for a native-speaker audience; 

¥ demonstrate mastery of major grammatical concepts and usage of the 75 high frequency verbs in all frames.

Texts

Required

Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj and Michaela SpŠinghaus: Anders gedacht (Houghton Mifflin, 2005, first edition), with CD and with †bungsbuch. Whole package ISBN: 0618609350 (new: $120.00; if taking FLG 310 in a later semester: keep the book, we will work with the second half of this book in that course).



Student Website for the textbook
Anders gedacht: http://college.hmco.com/languages/german/motyl/anders_gedacht/1e/student_home.html

A good-size dictionary, such as the New College German Dictionary (Langenscheidt). Online sources for German language books: http://www.globalbooks.de, http://www.amazon.de, http://www.ibiservice.com.

You can also use online dictionaries: http://dict.leo.org, http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/, http://www.dict.cc/, http://wolfram.schneider.org/dict/, and http://www.linguadict.de. For help on German computer language check out http://www.goethe-verlag.com/computer.htm. However, the use of electronic (internet or CD-ROM) translation programs is NOT allowed and will constitute an academic integrity violation (see below).

Optional

Film by Joseph Vilsmaier: The Harmonists (1997; Miramax DVD 1999), ISBN 0-7888-1782-5 (US-DVD), available from amazon.com for $9.99.
See it for free at D.H. Hill Library, call #: PN 1997.99.H3754 2002

Film by Pepe Danquart: "Schwarzfahrer", included on the DVD Short 1 - Invention (1993; Warner), ISBN 0-7907-4733-2 (US-DVD), available from amazon.com for $12.99
See it for free at D.H. Hill Library, call #: PN 1997.99.S54885 1999

Working with Multimedia Materials

If you want to work on the NC State campus, the Foreign Language Technology Center (FLTC) in the Laundry, LAU 214, on the corner of Stinson Drive and Current Drive or in Withers Hall 131 has many computer work stations for word processing or any other task requiring a computer. Check http://chasslabs.chass.ncsu.edu/laundry/home for opening hours and info on the labs.

Course Requirements and Evaluation


Class preparation and participation 15%

Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes 25%

Written Homework Assignments (†bungsbuch) 20%

Two Essays 10% 

Final Oral Presentation 10%

Portfolio 20%

Attendance Impact on your grade is defined below in ÒClass Attendance PolicyÓ

Class Preparation and Participation - 15%

Your preparation for and participation in class will be evaluated using the following criteria:
A = you are well prepared, often with written notes, and participate actively; you are attentive, respond when called upon and volunteer often with pertinent questions and comments.
B = you are usually prepared, sometimes with written notes, and always respond when called on; you volunteer on occasion.
C= you show evidence of being unprepared; you have some trouble when called on and do not volunteer often.
D = you are unprepared and/or inattentive; you never volunteer; you come to class late and/or leave early.
F= you exhibit a lack of concern for the class; you sleep in class; your behavior may have a negative effect on the class.

Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes - 25%
We will write 4 short grammar and vocabulary quizzes throughout the semester. Due dates are noted on the syllabus.

Written Homework Assignments (†bungsbuch) - 20%
You will fill in the pages of the
Anders gedacht †bungsbuch and hand them in for evaluation. Due dates are noted on the syllabus. Please tear out the pages, staple or paperclip them, and place them on your instructor's desk before the start of the class. Unless otherwise noted, fill in all gaps in all exercises on the assigned pages.

Two Essays - 10%
We will write two essays, see the semester schedule for topics and due dates. Each one counts for 5% of your grade. You will write a first draft ("Konzept") and then hand in a corrected and improved final version ("Reinschrift"). I recommend saving your first draft as a file so you can then easily make changes to it for the final version and do not have to retype it (which often causes new mistakes!). Your grade will be the average of the first draft and the final version. Each essay should be about 1 to 1 1/2 pages long (i.e. definitely a bit more than one page). These essays need to be typed, double spaced, in 12 pt. Times Roman font, with 1 inch margins on all sides. Be sure to include your name, the class, the essay number and title, and the due date, typed at the top! Also be sure to type all umlauts and proof read your essay. To produce the German characters on your computer check here for information: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~hgb/flg307/307umlaute_fa05.htm. Staple the two pages together.
Evaluation of the essays is in terms of content (i.e. what you say: correct facts, good ideas and arguments), effective communication (i.e. is there a good introduction, then a substantial main body, then a good conclusion; do you get your points across?), use of appropriate and rich vocabulary (especially the new vocabulary from the chapter!) and of correct and higher level grammatical structures (e.g. use of hypotactical sentence structures, i.e. dependant clauses).

Final Oral Presentation - 10%
Together with one or two partners you will complete a final project and present it to the class during finals week, in lieu of a written final exam. A script for your project will be handed in first and returned with feedback. Write the script like a role play.

Portfolio - 20%
Throughout the semester you will create and collect items for your portfolio, such as vocabulary lists, reflections on your learning process, creative writing pieces, essays, etc.

Grading scale (in %)

100 Ð 97 A +

89 Ð 87 B +

79 Ð 77 C +

69 Ð 67 D +

 

96 Ð 93 A

86 Ð 83 B

76 Ð 73 C

66 Ð 63 D

 

92 Ð 90 A -

82 Ð 80 B -

72 Ð 70 C -

62 Ð 60 D -

less than 60 F


Class Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is a university requirement. For every unexcused absence in excess of 2 (two) classes, your semester grade could be reduced by 1 point. If you accumulate 9 (nine) or more unexcused absences your semester grade will be F. If you miss more than 10 minutes of a class period (unless pre-approved by me), it will count as an absence, but I encourage you to still attend the class so as not to miss the material. If you have to miss a class for a compelling reason, please inform me about it beforehand or as soon as possible after the absence. You will still be expected to be prepared for the next class; contact a class mate for information on the missed material and any assignments. For information about what qualifies as an excused absence, please consult: http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_regulations/attend/reg.htm

"CR" (Credit) Policy

If you are taking this course for "CR", you need to do ALL the work for a grade and all other policies (except audit policy) also apply. In order for you to receive a "CR" (credit), you will need to make a semester grade of C- or better. Please be aware that a CR course will not count for your GER requirement (if you need it for that purpose) and that it will also not count for your German Minor (or the possible future German Major).

Audit Policy

In order to receive an "audit" for this course you need to attend at least 20 of the 29 class sessions and attend at least one session in the last two weeks of the semester. You should also prepare the material to be covered, so you can actively participate in the class discussions and group activities. You do not need to hand in any work, write the quizzes, write the essays, prepare the portfolio, or do the presentation - however, you may do so, if you wish. Contact the instructor if you have questions.

The official NC State Policy on Grading (and CR, Audit, Incompletes, etc.) can be found here: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/grades_undergrad/REG02.50.3.php

Policy on Late Assignments

Late assignments may receive lower grades: one day late = one grade lower, two days late = two grades lower, etc. Exception: pre-approved or approved late submission or lateness in connection with an excused absence. I strongly encourage you to communicate with me about any problems youÕre having. I usually work with my students on helping them catch up and get on track again, if there are serious reasons beyond their control for having missed assignments. Being overworked, forgetting, etc. are NOT reasons that would qualify.

Incomplete Policy

Incompletes (IN) will be assigned at the instructor's discretion in line with university policies on grading: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/grades_undergrad/REG02.50.3.php

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653, for information see http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.1) at: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/courses_undergrad/REG02.20.1.php.

Academic Integrity Policy

Human interaction and effective communication function on the basis of trust. An atmosphere of trust, honesty and respect for each other fosters educational progress and success. Please do not give me any reason to be suspicious of your honesty. You are to do your own work on all class assignments, presentations, projects, and exams, unless it is a designated pair or group assignment. That also means not incorporating othersÕ ideas and selling them as your ownÑthis is called plagiarism. Whether you take ideas (verbatim or just as an idea) from books, the internet, or other sources does not matter: you need to acknowledge their source if they are not your own. The NC State Library has a Plagiarism Tutorial at: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scc/tutorial/plagiarism/index.html

The use of electronic (internet, CD-ROM, etc.) translation programs is forbidden and constitutes an academic integrity violation.

Please ask me about anything that remains unclear. Violations of academic integrity (plagiarism, cheating, etc.) will be prosecuted according to NC StateÕs policy on academic integrity, posted at: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/provost/info/hat/current/appendix/appen_l.html

Classroom Etiquette

Show the members of this learning community respect by adhering to these rules: be on time; remove your hats; bring your book, a notepad, and a writing utensil to every class period; do not bring food into the classroom; do not chew gum; turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, PDAs, laptops and other electronic devices. Class time will mostly be used for interactive practice of material you have studied at home, so you need to be focused on oral communication, with some note-taking by hand.



Semester Schedule

Numbers are page numbers in the textbook Anders gedacht. Read and study everything, which also means looking up unfamiliar words and entering them on your vocabulary lists for the portfolio; prepare the exercises indicated, i.e. the fill-ins that are mentioned in your homework assignment. Always study vocabulary, a list is at the end of each ÒEinheitÓ; use a dictionary to look up words you don't know - it is very easy to do with an online dictionary (see above for a list of them). Start your vocabulary lists for the portfolio (on how to do that, check the info on "portfolio" on the course web site). Numbers with an † in front refer to page numbers in the †bungsbuch. Fill in all tasks, tear out the pages and staple or paperclip them, bring them to class, and place them on your instructor's desk before the start of class. The †bungsbuch has the exercises in the front of the book and grammar explanations that help you review the material starting on p. 317.

Stunde und Datum

Im Unterricht

Abgeben

Hausaufgaben fŸr die nŠchste Stunde

1 - Das Reisen: Die Erlebnisgesellschaft - Trends und Gegentrends

1 - Mi, 9. Januar

EinfŸhrung in den Kurs; sich vorstellen; Einstimmung auf das Thema Reisen

 

4-6 vorbereiten; † 3+4, 317-320

2- Fr, 11. Januar

4-6

† 3-4

7-9 vorbereiten; † 5+6, 317-320

3 - Mo, 14. Januar

7-9

† 5-6

14-18; † 12-13, 322-326

4- Mi, 16. Januar

14-18

† 12

21-22 (B) und 23-27 oben; † 14-15, 322-326

5 - Fr, 18. Januar

21-22 (B) und 23-27 oben

† 13-15

19-20 und 27 -30; Ü 27 - 29 (Nr. 12 + 13), 330-331

21. Januar

MLK Tag, kein Unterricht

 

 

6 - Mi, 23. Januar

19-20 und 27-30

Ü 27-29 (Nr. 12 + 13)

36-39, 44-46; Ü 17-21, 326-330

7- Fr, 25. Januar

Einführung in die Einheit, 36-39, 44-46

Ü 17-21

Quiz 1 vorbereiten: Wortschatz und Grammatik lernen!

2 - Das Fernweh zur Zeit Goethes: MŠrchen, Gedichte und Malerei im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert

8 - Mo, 28. Januar

Grammatik und Vokabel Quiz 1

46-50; Essay 1 Konzept: Erholungsurlaub oder Aktivurlaub? Schreiben Sie einen Essay mit "Pro" und "Contra" und erklären Sie auch, was Sie selbst am liebsten machen würden und warum! Weiter oben im Syllabus finden Sie Details zu Länge und Format!

9 - Mi, 30. Januar

46-50

Essay 1 Konzept

51-54; Ü 44-48, 333 (2.2.) - 335

10- Fr, 1. Februar

51-54

Ü 44-48

54-59; † 54-57, 336-338

11- Mo, 4. Februar

54-59

† 54-57

60-62; † 59-60, 339;

12- Mi, 6. Februar

59-62

† 59-60

63-67; † 61-62, 339 ;Portfolio fŸr Portfolio Check 1 fertigmachen

13- Fr, 8. Februar

63-67

Portfolio

6--67; 62, 65-67 ausfŸllen; † 55-58, 336-338; Quiz 2 vorbereiten: Wortschatz und Grammatik lernen!

14- Mo, 11. Februar

Grammatik und Vokabel Quiz 2

 

† 55-62

78-83, Essay 1 Reinschrift

3 - Die GrŸnen und ihre Politik: Umweltbewusstsein und grŸne Technologie

15- Mi, 13. Februar

EinfŸhrung in die Einheit, 78-83

Essay 1 Reinschrift

84-87

16- Fr, 15. Februar

84-87

 

88-92, † 67-68

17 - Mo, 18, Februar

88-92

† 67-71

93-95,  † 69-71

18 - Mi, 20. Februar

93-95

† 69-71

103-107, † 74-76, 340-342

19- Fr, 22. Februar

103-107

† 74-76

108-110; † 80

20- Mo, 25. Februar

108-110

† 80

111-113; † 82-84, 343-344

21- Mi, 27. Februar

111-113

† 82-84

114-117, † 85

22- Fr, 29. Februar

114-119

 

die Ferien geniessen

3.-7. MŠrz

Spring Break

† 85

† 89-92, 344-345; Quiz 3 vorbereiten: Wortschatz und Grammatik lernen!

23- Mo, 10. MŠrz

Grammatik und Vokabel Quiz 3

† 89-92

122-127; und schon mal am Essay 2 Konzept arbeiten (siehe Lektion 16!)

4 - Planet Germany: Deutschland, ein Einwanderungsland?

24 Ð Mi, 12. MŠrz

122-127

 

128-132

25- Fr, 14. MŠrz

128-132

 

Essay 2 Konzept: 119, Nr. 3, wŠhlen Sie a, b oder c als Thema

26- Mo, 17. MŠrz

132-136

Essay 2 Konzept

138-140; † 95-96,99-100 , 346-351

27- Mi, 19. MŠrz

138-140

† 95-96, 99-100

147-151; † 103-106; PrŠsentations-Thema, Kurzbeschreibung und Gruppenmitglieder aufschreiben

21. MŠrz

Spring Holiday

 

 

28- Mo, 24. MŠrz

147-151

 † 103-106; PrŠsentations-Thema, Kurzbeschreibung und Gruppenmitglieder

† 109-110 und116-118, 352-354; Quiz 4 vorbereiten: Wortschatz und Grammatik lernen!

29- Mi, 26. MŠrz

Grammatik und Vokabel Quiz 4

† 116-118 und 109-110

154-160; Portfolio Check 2 vorbereiten

5 - Die Comedian Harmonists: Ein Musikensemble der 20er und 30er Jahre

30- Fr, 28. MŠrz

EinfŸhrung in die Einheit, 154-159

Portfolio

159-163; † 121-122, 355-360 (oben)

31- Mo, 31. MŠrz

159-163

† 121-122

164-167; † 123-124, Essay 2

32- Mi, 2. April

164-167

† 123-124; Essay 2 Reinschrift

167-173; † 127 (B 1) - 128, 360-361

33- Fr, 4. April

167-169

† 127 (B 1) - 128

169-173; † 129-130

34- Mo, 7. April