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USM German 102 Spring 2020 Syllabus

Course Description – Goals and Requirements Meeting time and location MW 2:20-4:00, Luther Bonney, Room 326, Portland Instructor and contact information Lenore Weiss Bronson, Department of Languages and Linguistics Email: Lenore.bronson@maine.edu Tel: (603) 436-2094, cell: (603) 531-0410 before 9 PM Office hours/location: By appointment Email: lenore.bronson@maine.edu

Please use your USM e-mail in your correspondence for the course. Messages sometimes get lost, so please email dana.mcdaniel@maine.edu (the Department chair) if you don’t get a reply within 72 hours. [or kelly.a.fitzgerald@maine.edu (the Department administrative specialist)] Instructor phone: Tel. (603) 436-2094 or cell 603 531-0410 before 9 PM and text Course description German 102 requires completion of the material covered in German 101. The goal of this course is to further develop the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) in an academic and sociocultural context with a focus on spoken German. The curriculum emphasizes grammar and cultural knowledge as the basis for effective communication in German. By the end of the semester you will be able to:

• gain an understanding of the basic structures and rules of German grammar; compare thesewith English

• ask and answer questions in German used in social interaction and basic academic contexts• express and respond to thoughts and opinions in conversation• comprehend with increasing accuracy aural and audiovisual presentations• converse comfortably on a variety of everyday topics such as friends and family, housing, daily

routines, leisure activities, food and shopping• read and understand a variety of short German texts with more advanced ease• create brief autobiographical, analytical, and interpretive writings• gain a greater understanding of many facets of culture and history in German-speaking

countriesOur learning outcomes based on national standards:

1.Demonstrate skills of effective communication and analysis using target language communicationskills that correspond to 202 - intermediate high based on ACTFL (American Association of Teachers ofForeign Language) standards.

2. Understand how people make sense of their lives and their world through the production of culturalrepresentations such as ritual practices, artistic creations, and other products and performances.

3. Analyze and evaluate cultural representations in historical and disciplinary context, with theunderstanding that standards of evaluation are themselves historically produced and contingent.

In order to reach our above goals, it is important that you actively participate in all classroom activities and keep up with the daily preparation for the class.

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Textbooks

DiDonato et al, Deutsch, na klar!, 6th Ed., McGraw Hill, ISBN: 978-0-07-338633-1 This textbook will serve as the basis for addressing the grammar structures and contextual vocabulary that follows the logical sequence for German language acquisition. Workbook (Arbeitsheft) to accompany Deutsch, na klar! textbook, ISBN:078-0-07-737852-3 (Instructor will provide excerpts, pages as they relate to material covered on syllabus.) Recommended for comparing English and German grammar and syntax:

Zorach, Cecile. English Grammar for Students of German. 34e. ed. Ann Arbor: Olivia and Hill Press, 1994. Use this book to brush up on your English grammar as well as clarify the idiosyncrasies of German grammar structures. Emphasis is placed on comparing German and English with the goal enhancing your German proficiency.

Other learning resources

We will use internet sources for activities that increase proficiency, spark interest, foster reflection, and encourage discussion. In addition, the textbook publisher, McGraw-Hill, has an online learning center for Deutsch. Na klar! Access the website directly at:

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073386332/student_view0/index.html

Self-correcting online exercises in grammar, vocabulary, cultural information, as well as audio/pronunciation training sections are provided for each "Kapitel" and correspond to the material covered in class.

Wortschatzkarten Small file or index cards --Write new vocabulary on both sides of cards (German one side, English other) including words and idiomatic phrases you glean from textbook chapters, reader, worksheets, and class work. Include articles (genders) and plural forms with all nouns. In addition to serving as a personalized vocabulary-building tool, these will be used in a “password” exercise that strengthens the skill of circumscription, as we describe and explain meaning to each other in context.

Your portfolio as a cumulative record of your learning progress

All written course work, both inside and outside of class meetings, is to be organized in a binder; homework is to be corrected and maintained cumulatively and submitted at mid-term. Be reminded that all homework, including quizzes, textbook AND workbook exercises, should be compiled for final exam review as well.

Dictionaries and interactive learning sites Langenscheidt German-English-- English-German Dictionary (for in-class use) http://www.leo.org http://www.dict.cc/deutsch-englisch http://www.ego4u.com/en/dictionary http://www.woerterbuch.info/ http://german.about.com/?nl=1

Youtube courses, exercises, activities

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Deutsch mit Anja! -- A native German teacher who presents concise, practical explanations of German grammar, idioms, cultural topics – a positive, high-energy approach to help you grasp even the most challenging language concepts! ↓ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYzp2xhTw9W1Z9RvnCoveC0W7pkwUMHXy&app=desktop

SmarterGerman -- A structured approach presented by two German teachers who emphasize learning the rules and applying them in real, practical situations. ↓

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhu00kX1gmRXkkz1S0Ek6A

Easy German -- Filmed on-site, primarily in Berlin, these videos focus on everyday situations, local customs, language and cultural challenges Americans might face when in Germany. Grammar, Useful vocabulary and phrases are presented with attention to detail as well as humor. ↓

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbxb2fqe9oNgglAoYqsYOtQ/videos

Goethe Institute site -- International organization for German language study Reading, writing, listening, speaking exercises and placement tests geared to move learners from the A1,2 (beginner) B1,2 (intermediate) to C1,2 (advanced) levels. ↓ http://www.goethe.de/frm/qus/enindex.htm

German conversation tables (“Stammtische”) and tutoring With Megan Stoppe -- Bring snacks and ideas, issues, questions you’d enjoy chatting about in German. You will be surprised to see how your comprehension and fluency will progress if you stick with this beneficial supplement to our class time! Megan can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or megan.stoppe@maine.edu. Keep records in your portfolio of all meetings for course credit: Tuesdays: 11:00-12 Tutoring; 12:00-1:00 Conversation Table/Stammtisch; 1:00-3:00 Tutoring Wednesdays: 3:00-4:00 pm Tutoring Thursdays:12:00-3:00 pm Tutoring

Stammtisch in downtown Portland: Alternate Tuesdays at 6 PM in Sebago Braustube (Brewery) 211 Fore St. A group of local German native speakers and learners meet for a meal and conversation. You are welcome to join them! Contact email address to receive email reminders: Richard.Seiler@hphood.com. When you attend a Stammtisch or tutoring session, notify me per email and you will receive an additional "A" toward your homework grade.

Kino auf Deutsch! German Your movie recommendations are welcome!

You will be given films to view on cultural, political, historical and social topics related to the German-speaking world. At least one for-credit film viewing will be assigned that requires a written response and in-class discussion. Interdisciplinary project and presentation You will be required to research a topic that relates German to your major subject of study or academic interest. A Guidelines Sheet will provide recommended topics and the steps to follow for completing preparations for your classroom presentations in the final two weeks of the course.

Special Collections in Glickman Library

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One class session will be held in Special Collections on the 6th floor of USM’s Glickman Library with Librarian Julie Cismoski. Your individual interests will be considered in selecting documents we review. Focus will be reviewing cultural and historic German documents and identifying connections to your interdisciplinary presentation topic.

Written assignments To be organized in a binder; all homework is to be corrected and maintained as a portfolio that will be handed in at mid-term. Keep all homework, including quizzes, textbook AND workbook exercises, to compile for final exam review as well. Online Deutsch, na klar! Exercises and quizzes are to be sent to instructor’s email address or printed out as required in the syllabus. Specific questions and comments related to students’ individual work, attendance, or personal situations can be brought to the attention of the instructor before or after class, or during an arranged appointment.

Course grading Attendance, preparation, participation 35% Written assignments 25 Homework portfolio (cumulative, corrected) 20 Interdisciplinary presentation 10 Final exam 10

Quizzes, tests, and homework will be graded with an A – F system or percentage of 100%. Students with perfect class attendance and at least a B+ grade on their portfolio have the option of forgoing the final exam without any effect on their final grade. Make up quizzes and exams are not given. In the case of a medical-based absence, exams may be made up within a week and count as a homework grade.

Attendance is mandatory and crucial to your progress as a language learner. Missing classes or arriving late always affects your interim and final grades. After three unexcused absences, the final course grade will be lowered by one grade point. If you miss a class for any reason, you are responsible for getting information on what was covered in class or any additional assignments that were given that day by consulting the syllabus and/or other course members. Agree with a peer that you will contact each other for information and material in case of any absence. Exchange email addresses with at least two other students. If you have a medical or other emergency that results in an absence, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor by email.` To the absentee’s question: “Did I miss anything important?”, my answer will always be: “Jawohl!” Students with disabilities University-approved accommodations will be made to any student with a documented disability. You must provide me with written notice of the approved accommodations from the Office of Support for Students with Disabilities (OSSD). You can contact the OSSD at (207) 780-4706. All student-disability related information will remain confidential. Academic integrity We will often collaborate on assignments and quizzes in class. However, please be sure that your individually graded work remains your own. The bottom line on cheating? Don’t!

Ich freue mich auf unser Semester zusammen!

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