German 1441-1442 Intensive
German Language and Culture, Level One

Fall Semester 2007

The Department of Modern Languages (817.272.3161)
The University of Texas at Arlington

Instructor of Record

Dr. Lana Rings

• Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and by appointment
• Office: 327 Hammond Hall
• Telephone: 817.272.5541 or 817.272.3161
• E-mail: rings@uta.edu

Course Information

• Class meeting place: 205 Trimble Hall
• Class meeting place and time: MWF 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
• Credit Hours: 8 (6 class and 2 lab)
• Prerequisite(s): None
• Additional Information on the Web at: http://german.uta.edu
• German Course Website: http://langlab.uta.edu/german/courses/

Required Materials

• Kontakte (textbook, workbook) by Terrell, Tschierner, Nikolai
• Quia online workbook (explained in class)

Course Description

German 1441-1442 intensive is an 8-hour course in German language and culture, consisting of three two-hour class meetings and two lab hours per week. Class meetings are on campus, but the lab hours can be done at any time and place.

Course Objectives

Every week students will practice listening, reading, speaking, and writing both in and outside of class. The culture and geography of German-speaking countries will also be explored. Grammatical functions will be analyzed and used, and there will be a heavy emphasis on learning vocabulary. This course will strive to engage students in the appreciation and acceptance of language, diversity, and change in an increasingly global society.

Intended Student Learning Outcomes/Goals

Reading:

The student will read simple German texts.

Writing:

The student will write a short descriptive and narrative. Form, vocabulary, and usage will be accurate enough to be understood by a native speaker of German.

Listening:

The student will understand a familiar text, or an unfamiliar text using familiar vocabulary and expressions. The student will comprehend simple classroom discussions in German.

Speaking:

The student will have an active vocabulary of basic phrases, and will read aloud a familiar paragraph, in the form of a timed statement, demonstrating correct pronunciation, phrasing, and acceptable speed.

Grammar:

The student will identify simple grammatical structures and use them to interact in German in spoken or written form.

Vocabulary:

The student's active vocabulary consists of basic words and phrases related to everyday life in the German-speaking countries.

Culture:

The student will demonstrate basic knowledge related to the German-speaking countries of Europe, including geographical features, cities, cultural behavior, and cultural systems.

Method of Evaluation

The grade will be based on

• German 1441 (first half of semester)
  • 50% Written tests
    • 15% Chapter 1
    • 15% Chapter 2
    • 20% Chapter 3
  • 10% Oral Test
  • 10% First Semester Project / Learning Logs
  • 30% Homework, quizzes, lab, attendance
    
    
• German 1442 (second half of semester)
  • 50% Written tests
    • 15% Chapter 4
    • 15% Chapter 5
    • 20% Chapter 6
  • 10% Oral Test
  • 10% Second Semester Project / Learning Logs
  • 30% Homework, quizzes, lab, attendance
    
    
• Homework: textbook, workbook/Quia (CD Online Learning Center)
• Lab: Weekly (online) culture assignments

Grade Scale

A = 100-90
B = 89-90
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F = 59-0

Methods of Presentation

The instructor may use lectures, debates, group/individual in-class oral or written work, group/individual projects, Internet projects, music or videos.

Make-up Exams and Quizzes

Make-up quizzes will not be given. Make-up exams are given only in the case of emergencies and require documentation. Any other considerations will be made on a case-by-case basis. When possible, please notify me in advance of absences on scheduled exam dates.

Attendance

Regular classroom attendance is expected of all students. All classes and exams are based upon that assumption. You are responsible for acquiring class notes if you have to miss. Ultimately you will find that regular attendance is essential for a satisfactory grade performance. In addition, borderline grades are adjusted based on class participation and performance. Students are allowed three "free" absences to use for emergencies. For every subsequent absence, .5 will be deducted from a student’s final grade. Students missing more than 10 minutes of class, at any time during class, will be declared absent. Three tardies will count as one absence.

Disruptive Behavior

Disruptive behavior, which keeps other students from learning, will not be tolerated. Students who engage in such behavior will be cautioned first, then more drastic measures will be taken.

Final Review Week

A period of five class days prior to the first day of final exams is designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final exams. During this week, no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabus. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any exams constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except make-up tests, and no instructor shall give any portion of the final exam.

Language Lab

The Language Acquisition Center (LAC), located on the third floor of Trimble Hall, offers audio, video, and computer services. Your instructor will guide you in your use of the "Lab" and its holdings. LAC Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The German Language Society (German Club)

The German Language Society is open for membership to all students interested in the German language and culture who wish to meet with others of similar interests. Activities include meetings, Kaffeeklatsch, outings, and parties. Meeting times will be announced in class.

Library

Ann Kelley is the Foreign Languages Librarian. She can be reached at 817.272.3000, ext. 4994, and by e-mail at kelley@library.uta.edu. Furthermore, you will find some useful research information at http://www.uta.edu/library/research/rt-foreign.html.

Withdrawls

Please note that the last day to withdraw from class with a "W" is November 2, 2007. Be aware that after this date you will receive an academic grade in the course. Initiating the drop procedure is the student's responsibility. If you have any questions about withdrawals, please see me after class.

Achieving Academic Success

The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817.272.6107 for more information and appropriate referrals. For this class specifically, I will offer tutoring and review sessions on an as-needed basis.

Certificate of Proficiency

A certificate of proficiency in German will be awarded to students who place at or above the 80% mark on both written and oral exams in German 2314 (Level 4).

Americans With Disabilities Act

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112--The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As an instructor, I am required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. It is the student’s responsibility to inform faculty at the beginning of the semester and to provide authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.

Academic Dishonesty

It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. (Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3.2, Subdivision 3.22)

More specifically for this class, please remember that translating someone else's work into another language without attribution falls under the rubric of plagiarism. Also, please keep in mind that information freely available or otherwise on the Internet is to be treated like all other source material and must be fully documented. Please cite, attribute, and document carefully. If in doubt, check with your instructor. A style manual such as the one issued by the Modern Language Association is an invaluable resource for citation guidelines. Finally, bear in mind that translation programs normally do a poor job of translating.

Dates of Importance

August 27: First Day of Classes
August 27-September 3: Late registration
September 3: Labor Day Holiday
September 12: Census Date
October 19: Mid-Session
November 2: Last day to drop coursesNovember 19: Spring Term registrtion begins for all students
November 22-25: Thanksgiving Holidays
December 7: Last day of Classes

Course Schedule

1. August 27: First Day
2. August 29: Einführung A
3. August 31: Einführung A
   
   
4. September 5:
   1. Einführung A
   2. Einführung B
5. September 7: Einführung B
   
   
6. September 10: Einführung B
7. September 12:
   1. Einführung B
   2. Quiz: Einführung A and Einführung B
8. September 14: Chapter 1
   
   
9. September 17: Chapter 1
10. September 19: Chapter 1
11. September 21:
    1. Chapter 1
    2. Chapter 1 Test
       
       
12. September 24: Chapter 2
13. September 26: Chapter 2
14. September 28: Chapter 2
    
    
15. October 1: Chapter 2
16. October 3:
    1. Chapter 2 Test
    2. Chapter 3
17. October 5: Chapter 3
    
    
18. October 8: Chapter 3
19. October 10: Chapter 3
20. October 12: Oral Exams
    
    
21. October 15: Semester Project / Learning Logs
22. October 17: 1441 Final Exam
23. October 19: Chapter 4
    
    
24. October 22: Chapter 4
25. October 24: Chapter 4
26. October 26: Chapter 4
    
    
27. October 29: Chapter 4
28. October 31:
    1. Chapter 4 Test
    2. Chapter 5
29. November 2: Chapter 5
    
    
30. November 5: Chapter 5
31. November 7: Chapter 5
32. November 9: Chapter 5
    
    
33. November 12: Chapter 5 Test
34. November 14: Chapter 6
35. November 16: Chapter 6
    
    
36. November 19: Chapter 6
37. November 21: Chapter 6
    
    
38. November 26: Chapter 6
39. November 28: Oral Exams
40. November 30: Oral Exams
    
    
41. December 3: Semester Project / Learning Logs
42. December 5: Chapter 6
43. December 7: Last Day of Class

 

Week of December 10: Final Exams