Course Description

In this course we will make the important transition from your first year textbook to handling "authentic" German language. We will review and deepen our knowledge of grammar, strengthen our reading and writing skills, listen to a variety of audio texts and songs, and practice our speaking skills. We will also become acquainted with important issues from the cultures of the German-speaking countries, such as the German love of travelling; fairy tales, poems, and paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries relating to nature and hiking; the German political party of the Greens and environmental issues and technologies; Germany and its immigrants; and a famous musical ensemble, the "Comedian Harmonists", their historical and cultural context of the 1920s and 1930s, their songs, and a film made about them.

Prerequisites

At NC State University you need to have completed FLG 201 or have placed into the 202 level; in more general terms, you should have three semesters of college German or the equivalent.

Course Goals

FLG 202 is conducted entirely in German and emphasizes the four basic language skills plus cultural awareness. We have a very ambitious agenda which targets:

1. Speaking in a variety of modes
a. answering and asking questions
b. circumlocution: defining/describing when exact words fail
c. acting (in self-written or other) skits and role playing
d. responding to and formulating personalized questions
e. negotiating and communicating in German

2. Reading for a variety of purposes
a. gathering information
b. establishing general ideas
c. making generalizations
d. sequencing events
e. interpreting information (factual and fictional)

3. Hearing/understanding instructor, peers, audio, video and film

4. Writing
a. exercises (from recombination and copying to open-ended creative writing)
b. communicative activities: making lists, taking notes, writing memos, etc.
c. several topical essays (graded holistically)

5. Cultural awareness
a. deeper interest in German language and in the culture of German-speaking countries
b. sensitivity to issues and problems of contemporary life in German-speaking countries
c. familiarity with recent political events in German-speaking countries
d. increased awareness of cultural diversity in general
e. preparedness for those interested in studying abroad
f. viewing art exhibitions related to the culture of German-speaking countries

6. Metacognitive skills: Awareness of the language learning process.
a. Formulating individual strategies
b. Formulating individual goals and reflecting on them in the course of the semester

Student Learning Objectives

By the end of the semester, if you have attended all classes, completed all written and listening assignments successfully, and received at least a B-grade on all exams, you should be able to:
• speak and understand German well enough to converse comfortably with a German speaker (accustomed to dealing with non-natives) about yourself, your family, interests, daily activities, and topics of general interest;
• read and understand the main ideas and most important supporting details of a variety of authentic and edited texts of varied length (e.g. brief newspaper articles, descriptions, summaries, poems, short stories) and be able to locate specific information in such texts;
• write reasonably coherent and grammatically appropriate texts (e.g. letters, notes, summaries, and descriptions) related to everyday topics, experiences, and class readings;
• understand and grasp the main ideas of spoken German in straightforward formal oral texts (e.g. announcements, weather reports, commercials), as well as conversations and discussions on familiar topics;
• understand and grasp the main ideas of a variety of videos and film clips intended for a native-speaker audience;
• demonstrate mastery of major grammatical concepts and usage of the 75 high frequency verbs in all frames.

Texts

Required

Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj and Michaela Späinghaus: Anders gedacht (Houghton Mifflin, 2005, first edition), with CD and with Übungsbuch. Whole package ISBN: 0618609350.

Student Website for the textbook Anders gedacht: http://college.hmco.com/languages/german/motyl/anders_gedacht/1e/student_home.html

A good-size dictionary, such as the New College German Dictionary (Langenscheidt). Online sources for German language books: http://www.globalbooks.de, http://www.amazon.de, http://www.ibiservice.com.

You can also use online dictionaries: http://dict.leo.org, http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/, http://www.dict.cc/, http://wolfram.schneider.org/dict/, and http://www.linguadict.de. For help on German computer language check out http://www.goethe-verlag.com/computer.htm. However, the use of electronic (internet or CD-ROM) translation programs is NOT allowed and will constitute an academic integrity violation (see below).

Optional

Film by Joseph Vilsmaier: The Harmonists (1997; Miramax DVD 1999), ISBN 0-7888-1782-5 (US-DVD), available from amazon.com for $9.99.
See it for free at D.H. Hill Library, call #: PN 1997.99.H3754 2002

Film by Pepe Danquart: "Schwarzfahrer", included on the DVD Short 1 - Invention (1993; Warner), ISBN 0-7907-4733-2 (US-DVD), available from amazon.com for $12.99
See it for free at D.H. Hill Library, call #: PN 1997.99.S54885 1999

Working with Multimedia Materials

If you want to work on the NC State campus, the Foreign Language Technology Center (FLTC) in the Laundry Building, LAU 214, on the corner of Stinson Drive and Current Drive has many computer work stations for word processing or any other task requiring a computer. Check http://fltc.chass.ncsu.edu/ for opening hours and info on the FLTC.

Course Requirements and Evaluation

Class preparation and participation 15%
WebCT VISTA Discussion contributions 10%
Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes 15%
Written Homework Assignments (Übungsbuch) 20%
Two Essays 10%
Final Oral Presentation 10%
Portfolio 20%

Essays, creative writing samples, vocabulary, outline of oral presentations, reflections and self evaluation (compiled in the portfolio)

Attendance Impact on your grade is defined below in “Class Attendance Policy”

Class Preparation and Participation - 15%
Your preparation for and participation in class will be evaluated using the following criteria:
A = you are well prepared, often with written notes, and participate actively; you are attentive, respond when called upon and volunteer often with pertinent questions and comments.
B = you are usually prepared, sometimes with written notes, and always respond when called on; you volunteer on occasion.
C= you show evidence of being unprepared; you have some trouble when called on and do not volunteer often.
D = you are unprepared and/or inattentive; you never volunteer; you come to class late and/or leave early.
F= you exhibit a lack of concern for the class; you sleep in class; your behaviour may have a negative effect on the class.

WebCT VISTA Discussion Contributions - 10%
You will participate in the online WebCT VISTA discussion board. Deadlines are noted on the syllabus. The discussion topics are posted on the WebCT VISTA site, both as a file for you to print ("Discussion Instructions and Topics"), and also as a task description on the discussion board itself. The file with the instruction and topics contains more details, check it out (link from the WebCT course homepage)!
To produce the German characters on your computer check here for information: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~hgb/flg307/307umlaute_fa05.htm

Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes - 15%
We will write 5 short grammar and vocabulary quizzes throughout the semester. Due dates are noted on the syllabus.

Written Homework Assignments (Übungsbuch) - 20%
You will fill in the pages of the Anders gedacht Übungsbuch and hand them in for evaluation. Due dates are noted on the syllabus. Please tear out the pages, staple or paperclip them, and place them on your instructor's desk before the start of the class.

Two Essays - 10%
We will write two essays, see the semester schedule for topics and due dates. Each one counts for 5% of your grade. You will write a first draft ("Konzept") and then hand in a corrected and improved final version ("Reinschrift"). I recommend saving your first draft as a file so you can then easily make changes to it for the final version and do not have to retype it (which often causes new mistakes!). Your grade will be the average of the first draft and the final version. Each essay should be about 1 to 1 1/2 pages long (i.e. definitely a bit more than one page). These essays need to be typed, double spaced, in 12 pt. Times Roman font, with 1 inch margins on all sides. Be sure to include your name, the class, the essay number and title, and the due date, typed at the top! Also be sure to type all umlauts and proof read your essay. To produce the German characters on your computer check here for information: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~hgb/flg307/307umlaute_fa05.htm. Staple the two pages together.
Evaluation of the essays is in terms of content (i.e. what you say: correct facts, good ideas and arguments), effective communication (i.e. is there a good introduction, then a substantial main body, then a good conclusion; do you get your points across?), use of appropriate and rich vocabulary and of correct and higher level grammatical structures (e.g. use of hypotactical sentence structures, i.e. dependant clauses).

Final Oral Presentation - 10%
Together with one or two partners you will complete a final project and present it to the class during finals week, in lieu of a written final exam. A script for your project will be handed in first and returned with feedback. Write the script like a role play. For more details on what to do and how to do it, click on the icon "Präsentation" on the WebCT VISTA site.

Portfolio - 20%
Throughout the semester you will collect items for your portfolio, such as vocabulary lists, reflections on your learning process, essays, etc. From the WebCT VISTA course web site click on "Portfolio" to get all the details on how to assemble it and how it will be evaluated.

Grading scale (in %)

Class Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is a university requirement. For every unexcused absence in excess of 2 (two) classes, your semester grade could be reduced by 1 point. If you accumulate 6 (six) or more unexcused absences your semester grade will be F. If you miss more than 10 minutes of a class period (unless pre-approved by me), it will count as an absence, but I encourage you to still attend the class so as not to miss the material. If you have to miss a class for a compelling reason, please inform me about it beforehand or as soon as possible after the absence. You will still be expected to be prepared for the next class; contact a class mate for information on the missed material and any assignments. For information about what qualifies as an excused absence, please consult: http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_regulations/attend/reg.htm

Policy on Late Assignments

Late assignments may receive lower grades: one day late = one grade lower, two days late = two grades lower, etc. Exception: pre-approved or approved late submission or lateness in connection with an excused absence. I strongly encourage you to communicate with me about any problems you’re having. I usually work with my students on helping them catch up and get on track again, if there are serious reasons beyond their control for having missed assignments. Being overworked, forgetting, etc. are NOT reasons that would qualify. As for discussion postings: please allow a little extra time when submitting your work, so it will arrive on time.

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. Before talking to me, you need to register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. For more information consult http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/.

Academic Integrity Policy

Human interaction and effective communication function on the basis of trust. An atmosphere of trust, honesty and respect for each other fosters educational progress and success. Please do not give me any reason to be suspicious of your honesty. You are to do your own work on all class assigments, presentations, projects, and exams, unless it is a designated pair or group assigment. That also means not incorporating others’ ideas and selling them as your own—this is called plagiarism. Whether you take ideas (verbatim or just as an idea) from books, the internet, or other sources does not matter: you need to acknowledge their source if they are not your own. The NC State Library has a Plagiarism Tutorial at: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scc/tutorial/plagiarism/index.html

The use of electronic (internet, CD-ROM, etc.) translation programs is forbidden and constitutes an academic integrity violation.

Please ask me about anything that remains unclear. Violations of academic integrity (plagiarism, cheating, etc.) will be prosecuted according to NC State’s policy on academic integrity, posted at: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/provost/info/hat/current/appendix/appen_l.html

Semester Schedule

Numbers are page numbers in the textbook Anders gedacht. Read and study everything, which also means looking up unfamiliar words and entering them on your vocabulary lists for the portfolio; prepare the exercises indicated, i.e. the fill-ins that are mentioned in your homework assignment. Always study vocabulary, a list is at the end of each “Einheit”; use a dictionary to look up words you don't know - it is very easy to do with an online dictionary (see above for a list of them). Start your vocabulary lists for the portfolio (on how to do that, check the info on "portfolio" on the course web site).

Numbers with an Ü in front refer to the Übungsbuch. Fill in all tasks, tear out the pages and staple or paperclip them, bring them to class, and place them on your instructor's desk before the start of class. The Übungsbuch has the exercises in the front of the book and grammar explanations that help you review the material starting on p. 317.

"Diskussionsbeitrag" = WebCT VISTA Discussion Board contribution: throughout the semester you will post a number of discussion contributions on the WebCT VISTA discussion board. Deadlines are on the syllabus in the "Abgeben" (= hand in) line. Due time is midnight, when the date changes.

A Few Ideas for more and better German in your Life!

1. Enjoy language learning and have fun with the language. You can create a whole new persona for yourself in the foreign language. Be playful and creative in ways that contribute to everyone’s pleasure and learning experience.
2. Stay in touch with other classmates by phone or e-mail and study together outside of class. Students in study groups often do very well.
3. See German movies in theaters or on video. Video stores and online services like Netflix have them. Also check your library for holdings (the Media Center in D. H. Hill Library has a nice collection; find out what your campus library offers!) A few good ones to start with are: Lola rennt/Run, Lola, run; Die weisse Rose/The White Rose; Das schreckliche Mädchen/The Nasty Girl; Das Versprechen/The Promise, this one by director Margarethe von Trotta; Good-bye Lenin. Ask your instructor or local professor for more suggestions.
Listen to German radio stations on the internet! A list of them can be found here: http://www.multilingualbooks.com/online-radio-german.html.
4. Participate in a German Club, if your university has one (find out locally). We have our own club at NC State and then there is one in the Triangle. The NC State German Club / DeutschKlub has weekly Stammtisch (conversation) meetings; parties; film viewings; hikes; and other activities. It is free and you can attend as many or as few events as you like. You’ll meet other students of German and also usually a few exchange students from the German-speaking countries. Check out their website at http://www4.ncsu.edu/%7Enbuch/dk/. Contact faculty advisor Ralph Jones, re35rjje@us.ibm.com for more information.
The German-Austrian-Swiss Club of the Triangle (GAST) can be checked out at http://www.orgsites.com/nc/gast. They have monthly meetings and other activities.
5. Consider going for a German Minor. At NC State, you’ll need only five courses: FLG 201, 202, and three courses at the FLG 300 level. For more details, see the German Section Web Page at http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/german/ or contact the German Section Coordinator, Helga G. Braunbeck, 515-9320, Helga_Braunbeck@ncsu.edu. Find out about requirements at your own institution!
6. Transform yourself by studying abroad! International experience is an invaluable asset in today’s global job market. NC-State has a large number of opportunities available, some with stipends, ranging from a five week summer program to a full year abroad. Your German does not have to be perfect for this. The Study Abroad Office (2118 Pullen Hall, 515-2087, http://studyabroad.ncsu.edu/ has more information. Check out their programs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by using the links on the German Section webpage at http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/german/ . Especially nice are NC-State’s summer program in Vienna, Austria, and the exchange program between the UNC system and the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany for a semester or a year abroad, check out the links on the German Section web page: http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/german/. This program is available to students from the any university in the UNC system. NC-State advisor for UNC-EP is the German Section Coordinator, Helga G. Braunbeck. Also talk to your instructor, to fellow students who’ve been abroad, and to students from a German Club to learn more!

Viel Glück mit dem Deutschstudium!
We wish you a lot of luck with your German Studies!