GERMAN 102                 FALL 2008

Course Information for German 102
Course Goals    Course Practices   Attendance Policy    Homework         Textbook Listening Comprehension    
Lab Manual (Workbook) Listening Comprehension  
Grades          Syllabus
Course Information
Main Section Instructors: Section 1: 
Section 2:  
Main Sections: Section 1: 10-11am M-Th in Lopata Hall 302
Section 2: 12-1pm M-Th in Cupples I Room 216
Subsection
Instructors:		 Corey Twitchell
Telephone: 935-4885 (office)
Email Addresses of all Instructors: Shane Peterson: shane.peterson@wustl.edu
Anne Fritz: aefritz@wustl.edu
Corey Twitchell: cltwitch@artsci.wustl.edu
Mailboxes: Ridgley 319 (Main Departmental Office)
Instructors' Office: Ridgley 418
Office Hours: Peterson:  and by appointment
Fritz: and by appointment
Twitchell: and by appointment
Subsections: Section 1: TBA
Section 2: TBA
Required Texts:   
 
 
 

  

Required: 

1.  Vorsprung (2nd ed.) 

2.  Vorsprung Student Activities Manual (2nd  ed.)  is labeled as the Arbeitsheft for

homework assignments.

                        3.  Dictionary of your choice:  We recommend Collins German Unabridged Dictionary

5th Edition (2004)


A three ring binder with four divisions in which to store (1) grammar printouts from ERes and ERes Worksheets (provided by the Instructor), (2) class worksheets, (3) returned homework and (4) returned tests. 
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Course Goals

       

German 102 builds on the goals laid out in German 101 -- the development of the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) in a cultural context with a focus on spoken German.  We will seek to incorporate all three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational.  At the end of the semester, you should be able to complete basic tasks in German (such as understanding and giving directions, applying for a job, speaking with a doctor, opening a bank account, etc.) and hold more advanced conversations.  Subsection will address material/vocabulary in the context of cultural topics and substantiate and elaborate upon main section discussions.  You will be responsible for all material included in the syllabus, both from main section and subsection. 

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Course Practices
•        We want to USE the language -- First-year German includes an introduction to the basics of grammar.  Since the discussion of grammar points prepares students to talk ABOUT the language rather than to use the language, grammar will be taught in our class by means of structured input and output (models of good language).  Students will read about the grammar points at home and then will work with grammar that has been incorporated into thematic contexts in the classroom; students will acquire structures as they are actually used in the language.  Explicit instruction (rules) will still be incorporated into classroom instruction as students are called upon to explain what they understood of the grammar reading and to pose any questions that they might have.


•        Bank accounts, jobs and directions as well as Schiller, Kafka and Beethoven – Culture will be incorporated every day into the language classroom.  This culture is defined as both day-to-day culture of modern life in Germany as well as what many call “high” culture.  Learning about everyday culture serves many purposes: It provides you with the basics you would need if you were to travel to Germany   We will give you an introductory picture of life in contemporary German-speaking countries. If there is something you would particularly like to know about these countries, let your instructor know right away so that he/she can make an effort to incorporate this topic into the class. and it enables you to work with vocabulary that is at an appropriate level for students with limited previous German knowledge.

•        Scaffolding of activities -- One of our main focuses in the first year is to get students speaking.  For this purpose, we will attempt to connect topics to you and your life.  In this manner, you will be familiar with the content.  You are thus free to focus your attention on the language.  A variety of strategies will be employed in the classroom to make this possible.  These will range from the very directed, which will focus your attention on new grammatical structures or vocabulary (e.g. questionnaires, true-false, ordering, information exchange) to freer activities (e.g. interviews, role-plays, think-alouds) to more elevated activities (e.g. cultural readings which will encourage incidental learning as well as more advanced cultural introduction).  When completing the simpler tasks in class, you will be encouraged to understand most every word by means of preceding vocabulary introduction via images and vocabulary assignments.  When completing more challenging assignments, you should not expect to understand every word but still work effectively after getting the “gist” of the material.  Such assignments will additionally encourage incidental learning (different students will recall different vocabulary items, for example).


•        Mutual respect– Foreign Languages are most effectively learned in a space where students feel comfortable but challenged intellectually.  Our team will strive to create a learning environment conducive to such positive results and to provide a physically and emotionally safe learning environment.  It is your responsibility to contribute to this environment by being intellectually honest, doing quality work, speaking up if you have concerns or needs, honoring diversity without prejudice and encouraging your own progress as well as that of your classmates through personal motivation and considerate treatment of others.


Academic Integrity
Students are bound by the University policy on academic integrity in all aspects of this course.  All references to ideas and texts other than the students' own must be so indicated through appropriate footnotes, whether the source is a book, an online site, the professor, etc.  All students are responsible for following the rules outlined in the document regarding the University academic integrity policy: http://www.wustl.edu/policies/undergraduate-academic-integrity.html.  For German language courses, academic integrity implies that students will not employ online translators nor have others (German-speaking relatives, classmates, instructors, etc.) complete any portion of their work for them.  Your main section and subsection instructors are happy to be of assistance during your learning process.
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Attendance Policy

You will meet with your main section four hours a week, Monday through Thursday.  Subsections, which are devoted to separate reading and listening comprehension activities and discussions, meet two hours a week.  Subsection times will be arranged/confirmed during the first week of the semester. The subsections will not begin meeting until the second week of the semester. 
 
Attendance in main and subsection is a pre-requisite of course participation as well as language acquisition itself, as class time offers you an opportunity to attain much-needed input and experiment with the language.  We ask that you are punctual for class; repeated tardies will negatively affect your grade.  If there are any circumstances which will hinder your attendance or punctuality (such as mandatory attendance at a sporting event or distance of preceding course), please bring these to the attention of your instructors immediately. 


A significant portion of your grade is based on your attendance and active participation, both in the main section and the subsection, since you require the input and opportunity to experiment with the language in order to make progress. Active participation is defined as verbally contributing to group, pair and individual activities based upon your reading of the textbook and your attention to class lessons.  This participation may also take the form of any questions that you may have on the material covered and/or homework assigned. Students taking the course with the “pass/fail” grading option must achieve a “C-” in order to receive a grade of “P”. Be aware that unexcused absences will lower your grade significantly. We keep a record of your absences and your participation.  If you must miss class due to illness or for another legitimate reason, please let your instructor know before class that day. Makeup exams are possible only in the case of an excused absence.
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Homework
Daily Homework

You will be assigned daily homework in the textbook (Lehrbuch) and/or in the workbook (Arbeitsheft).  This work should be completed each day before you come to class.  A foreign language is best learned with repetition and regular work each day rather than cramming prior to an exam.  As an adult learner of a foreign language (accustomed to the practice of learning), you will desire clear rules about the language, and the textbook and class discussion will provide you with these; these can be very comforting.  However, since our goal is to learn the language itself rather than just about the language, our focus needs to be upon the employment of the structures and vocabulary.  It is imperative that when you complete your homework, therefore, that you make every effort to comprehend the information and make sense of it for yourself.  If you have questions, bring these immediately to the attention of your instructor, either in class or via e-mail.
 
Languages are learned in pieces, like building blocks.  Once you have acquired one building block (be this vocabulary, grammar or culture), you want to work to maintain that, so that you may add to it. 
 
Hörverständnis (Listening comprehension) activities in the workbook can be completed by accessing the textbook webpage: http://www.college.cengage.com/languages/german/lovik/vorsprung/2e/student_home.html .  Using the pull-down menu in the left-hand column, select the chapter on which you are currently working.  Still in the left-hand column, click on “Improve Your Grade”.  Click then on “SAM Audio Files” which may be found in the middle of the screen at the bottom of the list.  Then locate the appropriate activity.

The Anlauftexte, Absprungtexte and Zieltexte from the textbook may be accessed from the following webpage: http://www.college.cengage.com/languages/german/lovik/vorsprung/2e/student_home.html .  Using the pull-down menu in the left-hand column, select the chapter on which you are currently working.  Still in the left-hand column, click on “Improve Your Grade”.  Click then on “In-text Audio Files”.  Then locate the desired file.

Vocabulary acquisition is essential for success with the language.  Vocabulary can be acquired through many techniques; a combination of techniques is typically required for success.   (1) First and foremost, you will note that vocabulary retention is dependent upon attention and awareness.  According to one study, “good learners were found to be more aware of what they could learn about new words, paid more attention to collocation[1] and spelling, and were more conscious of contextual learning.”[2]  (2) You will note that the vocabulary is presented and assigned in topical groupings.  Relations between words are close enough to be sensible but not so close as to cause overlap and confusion.  (3) Vocabulary flashcards and/or a vocabulary notebook, while not required of students as mandatory homework, are highly advisable.  These should include the articles and plural forms of nouns and the principle parts of verbs.  (4) Vocabulary is not all assigned for one day; vocabulary learning needs to be divided over regular intervals.  How many words can be studied at one time depends upon the difficulty of the words.  Note how the topics of the chapters are basic, everyday and relatable.  (5) Make associations between the new words and words that you already know; connect new words to the sounds of the native language, the target language or another language; consider the structure of the word; consider the meaning of parts of the word, etc.  (6) Repeating words aloud has been empirically proven to help retention more than silent repetition; participate in choral repetition of vocabulary in class as well as in vocabulary activities.  (7) Multiple readings in the text (Anlauftexte and Absprungtexte) provide opportunities for vocabulary exposure IN CONTEXT and for guessing and subsequent corroboration.  Some students benefit more from contextual guessing and others more from dictionary use; you should keep your dictionary readily on hand, as you discover what type of learner you are.  (8) Assigned texts can be read and heard; the different modalities can assist with comprehension and retention.  You should review these texts at home on your own.




Written homework assignments from the workbook, textbook or handouts will be collected from students on random days.  You will be expected to complete the assigned homework on the assigned day nonetheless, as its completion will permit for the correct speed and/or repetition required for effective language acquisition.  Be sure to read the attached syllabus very carefully, as assignments have not been assigned in order and many have been eliminated.  Once again, if you have questions, please bring these immediately to the attention of your instructor, either in class or via e-mail.  It is also advisable to spread homework out on weekends rather than attempting to complete it all at once.  A little German every day…


To complete homework assignments properly, you will want to attend to the words “lernen” and “schreiben.” 


“Lernen” means “to study”.  When you are assigned pages with grammar points to study, you will want to read these through carefully, analyze the examples provided to see the new structure in use and break them down so that they make sense to you.  You do not need to complete any of the associated activities, unless specifically assigned.


“Schreiben” means “to write”.  Those activities assigned with the verb “schreiben” ALWAYS need to be written out, either in the workbook (whenever possible) or on a separate piece of loose-leaf paper to be turned in for correction.


Homework will be evaluated based on the following system:
       check +:               handed in on time, indicating a very thorough effort as well as an attempt to use and experiment with the language
                                 whenever possible
      check/ check +        handed in on time, indicating a very thorough effort as well as an attempt to use and experiment with the language
                                  whenever possible, but with significant errors requiring review
      check                   handed in on time and indicating a satisfactory effort
      check -                     handed in late, handed in on time but indicating an unsatisfactory effort         
 
We cannot give you any credit for homework that is turned in more than one week from the day on which it was originally due. 



The Student Activities Manual is actually divided into two parts: a workbook (through page 182) and a lab manual.  Each workbook chapter includes a final activity, which is a longer writing exercise.  Be sure to take special care with the four of these free-writing activities that have been assigned this semester, as they count for a total of 160 points toward your final grade.  Please be sure to write at least 15-20 sentences for each assignment. (Fifteen applies only to the first chapter.)  These activities will count as your journal activities.

 


[1]  collocation: how words occur together (for example: perform occurs regularly with operation, as commit often occurs with crime).

 [2] Gu, Peter Yongqi.  “Vocabulary Learning in a Second Language: Person, Task, Context and Strategies.”  TESL-EJ 7.2 (September 2003).  <http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej26/a4.html>

 

Group Project

During the second half of the semester, you will be working on a SEPARATE project that you will present (in video form) at a special German evening at the end of the semester.  You will be provided with some time in subsection to work on the project, but it would be helpful to have partners, with whom you can meet regularly or have good e-mail contact outside of class.  You may choose to do a skit (i.e., short play), present a modern fairy tale, give a presentation, have a fashion show, review products & report, give a newscast, make a short documentary, have a talk show, etc.  Do not limit yourself to this list!  Use your creativity to come up with something fun and interesting. Consult with your instructor for more ideas. Talk to your instructor if you have any questions about the project.


Some guidelines:
 

* You may choose to work with a small group (no more than 3 people) or as a pair.  It would be helpful if you selected group members based upon your subsection, if possible.  All group members must nonetheless be members of the same main section.
 


* Please find a way to videotape skits/newscasts/documentaries, etc. ahead of time as they will be viewed on a special night of celebration at the end of the semester.  Ask relatives or friends if you can borrow a video camera for a couple of hours or you may borrow a video camera from the German department, but you will be responsible for its safe return.  Videotaping takes the pressure off performing live in front of a group and saves us a lot of time, so that we may just watch and enjoy the presentations!  This also provides a record by which to assess your own progress in your first year.  You will be required to provide the instructor with a copy of your skit or presentation, which the instructor may keep.
 

* Projects must be a minimum of 7 minutes long.  All members must speak on camera.  You are not required to memorize your lines (since cue cards may be held up off camera), but should be familiar enough with them to deliver them convincingly.  Interruptions of spoken German (music, action, special effects) should not account for more than 1 minute of an 8-minute video.
 


* Your syllabus gives deadlines for a) forming groups and roughly planning the project; b) composing an outline and/or descriptive paragraph of the project/story line; c) completing rough drafts; and d) having the presentation taped.  The script must be double-spaced and should be no shorter than 5 pages.  Projects work best when an outline is first laid out for the script and then each member writes his or her section of the agreed-upon material, which is then brought together for revisions.
 


* A rule of thumb: keep new words to a minimum. For any new words, you must compose a vocabulary list, which your classmates can consult during viewing.  This list should be typed in advance and previewed by your instructor.
 


* If you need to use a dictionary, always check both the German and English definitions. So if you look up a word in English and get the German definition, look up that German word in the German part of the dictionary and make sure it is the word you want.
 


* All students must participate equally in the project from conception, to development (writing & revising), to performance.
 


* Have fun! (trust me, you will!)

 
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Final Grade
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale.

 
Grading

Your final grade will be determined as follows: 
 
 
5 exams (80 pts. Each) and 2 quizzes (25 pts.) = 400 pts.
Vocabulay Quizzes (4 quizzes at 20 pts. each) = 80 pts.
Workbook and Textbook Homework = 200 pts.
Main Section Attendance and Participation = 150 pts.
Subsection Attendance, Participation and Homework = 150 pts.
Partner Oral Midterm = 100 pts.
Oral Final = 100 pts.
Written Final  = 200 pts.
Aufsatz-Training.
        Kapitel 7 =   40 pts.
        Kapitel 8 =   40 pts.
        Kapitel 9 =   40 pts.
        Kapitel 10 = replaced by classwork
        Kapitel 11 = 40 pts.
      		 = 160 pts.
Group Project = 250 pts.
TOTAL =1790 pts.

Tests

Chapter Tests:  There will be four chapter tests and two quizzes in total.  This is the most manageable way for material to be covered.  Each test will have separate sections covering the following: listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, reading, culture and extemporaneous writing.  The individual exam sections will contain material from main section and subsection.  No exam scores will be dropped.  Review sessions will be held prior to exams, at the instructor’s discretion. 
 

Vocabulary Quizzes:  Vocabulary quizzes will be administered routinely in subsection.  These may range in form from the request for the German term when you are provided with the English, the request for the German term when you are provided with an image, etc.  More details will be provided prior to the first quiz.
 

Oral Midterm:  After the third written test, students will take a 10-minute partner oral midterm with their main section and subsection instructors.  Students will be provided in advance with a description of the task, which will be based upon subsection activities.  Instructors are listening for a certain amount of fluency, a variety of vocabulary and appropriate grammatical structures and pronunciation.  You can best prepare yourself for this exam by actively participating in class every day, so as to grow accustomed to expressing yourself in German and holding conversations with greater ease.


Final Oral Interview:  On the final day of class, students will participate in an individual oral final at a pre-arranged time, instead of main section class.  The exam will last approximately ten minutes and both your main- and subsection instructors will attend to your production.  Instructors will once again listen for a certain amount of fluency, a variety of vocabulary and appropriate grammatical structures and pronunciation. 

 

  An extra credit project may be provided for each student upon request. 

 

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