DEUTSCH 1202: FRUEHLING 2008

Syllabus

Section 1: Call # 47489 MO.,DI.,DO.,FR @ 10-10.50 ENG 118 4 credits

   Section 2: Call # 50005 MO., DI., DO., FR. @ 14.00-14.50 H 464 4 credits

German 1202 is designed for graduates of German 1201(Intermediate German first semester). If you have previously taken German in high school or in college and have at least a one-year gap in learning German please see me the first week of class. If you have received credit for fifth year College in the Schools you will not receive credit for Intermediate German (this course). The main focus this semester is communication, in all four modalities, with an almost equal empahsis on speaking, reading and writing. We will be writing in a "Tagebuch" and you will read two detective novels writing a two-three page summary in German about them. German 1202 is included in Liberal Education new category 3, because it develops the ability to use and analyze human languages, stressing both theory and practice. This course also fulfills a Liberal Education Requirement for "International Perspective." Simply put, students will focus on understanding issues or topics in today's world from a global perspective other than from that of the United States.

Instructor: Michael Mullins

Email: mmullins@d.umn.edu

Internet: http://www.d.umn.edu/~mmullins

Office: H 453. Tel. & Voice Mail: 726-6155

Office Hours: Di. 13-14 oder Do 11-12 in H 453 and by appointment

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Textbook: Moeller, Adolph, Mabee and Berger, "KALEIDOSKOP", 7th edition, copyright 2007

Workbook: Moeller, Adolph, Mabee and Berger, 7th edition, copyright 2007

http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/UMD On-line Reserve   (More info on this later)

Readers: Langenscheidt, "Haus ohne Hoffnung," copyright 1993

Langenscheidt, "Tödlicher Schnee," copyright 1991

Langenscheidt Grammatiktafel Deutsch

How much will we cover?

Moving at a rate of approximately one chapter every three weeks, we will cover chapters 5-8 in "Kaleidoskop" and some readings in the On-line text "Geschaftsdeutsch." The business German is a collaboration I have with the School of Business and the German Program. We will be learning about Germany, Europe, the European Union and Germany's important role in that Union.

Each student is responsible for completing all activities even when I don't "collect" them. The act of completing homework is a portion of the course participation grade. The workbook is divided into separate components assessing all four modalities: component #1 written activities, #2 aural activities, #3 oral activities and #4 video activities. I will not assign all activities, but it is highly recommended that you complete them all. This, especially if you are struggling learning the language. We will have at least one tutor this term who may assist you and I hold regular office hours and by appointment. I suggest you seek assistance EARLY in the term if you feel you are struggling. If I notify you that you should seek assistance, it will be come a portion of your grade in the form of extra credit.

Quizzes, Tests and how your grade is computed:

There will be five assessments: one at the end of each chapter covering all the material learned in that chapter. These assessments will be individual and/or partner: written, spoken and listening.

The final exam is on-line UMD Spring '08 Final Exam Schedule or at the bottom of this syllabus. Since I will most likely be in Europe for an Interim Course I instruct, I will notify you in advance of the times for the written and oral final assessments.

I will also continue with the Friday quizzes on those days when we have no exams. You will be assessed on vocabulary I give you and the vocabulary/grammar in the "Kaleidoskop" section we are currently learning. You may not make-up any quizz due to absence, but I will toss out the lowest score. These quizzes focus on grammar and vocabulary.

You all have CDs that came with your texts and I strongly suggest you listen to them at home. This will assist you when we listen to, discuss and complete the reading text exercises in class. I suggest you read each and every individual reading passage at least three times, each time reading more intensively and for different purposes.

Finally, I will require you to write in a "Tagebuch." I expect three entries weekly for an excellent grade and each entry should be approx. one-half page in length. The "Tagebuch" gives you context in which to "explore" German. It is very helpful and it is very important that you are diligent in writing in this journal. I will put everyone on a two week cycle for collection of these "Tagebücher" and you MUST give me your Tagebuch on that cycle. I won't accept late "Tagebücher" this term. A missed due date is an "F" for that cycle.

Grade calculation:

What you need to do to succeed in German 1202:

Intermediate German is more of an "Arbeitsgemeinschaft," a working group, or team effort, than a routine class. You benefit simply from being present and the group benefits from your presence. That is why class participation, together with your homework and quizzes account for such a high percentage of your total grade. If you come to class unprepared you will not be as successsful in learning German. That is also why absences cannot be ignored. If you miss more than 5 of the total class meetings you CANNOT earn an "A" in this course. You should save these free "passes" for illnesses and other unexpected difficulties. If you miss more than 8 classes you cannot earn a "B". If you miss more than 11 classes you cannot earn a "C". Beyond 11 absences we will need to discuss your further involvement in this course. Furthermore, you MUST complete each component of the course and you must PASS each component in order to PASS the COURSE.

ACCESS

The Language Department is committed to making its courses available to all students who are adequately prepared and willing to participate. If there is any reason why you may have trouble meeting any of the expectations as they are outlined above, please contact me immediately and we will try to work out an accomodation.

With any suggestions and/or questions about the class, your performance, make-up work etc., see, call or email your friendly instructor immediately.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Definitionen und Abkurzungen:

MORE INFORMATION IS FORTHCOMING ON-LINE IN THE NEXT WEEKS BEFORE THE TERM COMMENCES.