German 2314
German Language and Culture, Level Four
Summer Semester II 2008
The Department of Modern Languages (817.272.3161)
The University of Texas at Arlington
Instructor of Record
Kirsi Rossi
- Office Hours: To be announced.
- Office: 210 Trimble Hall
- Telephone: 817.272.5525 or 817.272.3161
- E-mail: To be announced.
Course Information
Required Materials
- Kontakte (textbook, workbook) by Terrell, Tschierner, Nikolai
- Quia online workbook (explained in class) OR Kontakte paper workbook
- English-German and German-English dictionary at: http://dict.leo.org
Course Description
German 2314 is a 3-hour course in German language and culture.
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.
German 2314 Intended Student Learning Outcomes
- Reading:
- With the aid of a dictionary, the student will read a text of several pages.
The student will answer correctly at least 80% of comprehension questions
relating to take-home reading assignments of increasing length and complexity.
The student will read simple texts without dictionary help.
- Writing:
- The student will write grammatically correct simple sentences, compound
and complex sentences. The student will write an essay that is free of errors
in spelling and grammar with teacher support. The student will summarize
a text in German.
- Listening:
- The student will listen to a familiar text without written support and
understand it. The student will understand blocks of speech which are directed
to him or her and relate to familiar topics. The student will comprehend
classroom discussions in German between the instructor and other students.
The student will listen to a new text containing familiar grammar and vocabulary
and answer questions about it.
- Speaking:
- The student will read aloud an unfamiliar text fluently with good pronunciation,
and respond correctly to questions connected with familiar subject matter.
The student will be able to use compound sentences and to speak in a short
series of connected sentences. The student will use simple, compound and
complex sentences.
- Grammar:
- Students will use a number of prepositions for talking about places and giving directions. They will express possibility through the use of the subjunctive, as well as causality and purpose. They will use word order in dependent and independent clauses.
- Vocabulary:
- The student will demonstrate, through reading, speaking, and writing, an
active and passive knowledge of vocabulary pertaining to study and career,
the European Union, German history, and geography.
- Culture:
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: travel, health, the family, and multiculturalism in German-speaking Europe.
Method of Evaluation
The course grade will be based on:
- 50%
Written chapter tests
- 15% Chapter 10
- 15%
Chapter 11
- 20% Chapter 12
- 10% Oral Test
- 10% Project
- 30% Homework, quizzes, attendance/effort
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 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–Friday 9:00 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.
Withdrawals
Please note that the last day to withdraw from class with a "W" is
July 28, 2008. 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
July 7: First Day of Classes
July 7-July 8: Late Registration
July 10: Census date
July 22: Mid-Session
July 28:Last Day to Drop Courses
August 6: Last Day of Classes
August 7: Final Exams
Course Schedule
- July 7: First Day, review and/or Introduction to Chapter 10
- July 8
- July 9
- July 10
- July 14
- July 15
- July 16: exam and, if time allows, begin Chapter 11
- July 17
- July 21
- July 22
- July 23
- July 24
- July 28: exam and, if time allows, begin Chapter 12
- July 29
- July 30
- July 31
- August 4
- August 5
- August 6: Oral Exams
- August 7: Final Written Exam
