German 4170: Advanced Language Skills

Spring Semester 2007

Course Description: In this course you will intensify and broaden your knowledge of the German language and your ability in all of the four skill areas: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. In particular, we will focus on aspects of formal language, such as the language of literature and television news media, as well as academic speaking. The texts and films of the course will focus on the topic of “Youth and Rebellion.” You will complete a wide variety of assignments, both oral and written and will be responsible for leading several class discussions. Although this syllabus is in English, the course will be conducted entirely in German and you (not the instructor) will be responsible for doing most of the talking. I will, however, provide you with models for all assignments, so that you will know what is expected of you (e.g. I will present the first news summary, lead the first literary discussion, complete the first translation assignment and give you a model for a vocabulary-building assignment).

There will also be opportunity for further communicative practice in informal language through the media of film and via an online exchange with students who are taking an advanced English course with Herr Matthias Haus at the Luitpold Gymansium in Wasserburg am Inn. Within the framework of this exchange you will introduce yourselves to the German students, read and listen to their introductions, discuss several films and ask and answer questions on topics related to the films, and discuss one literary text. Because this is an exchange, some of the material discussed will be in English and you will alternate in your use of German and English when interacting with the students from Wasserburg.

After completing this course, you should have the tools to continue your study of German language and culture independently using high-level sources such as those mentioned above. Because the goal of this course is achieving the status of successful independent life-long learner, there is no grammar textbook. When issues of semantics and grammar arise you will be encouraged to resolve them by analyzing the structures within the context in which you find them and by using resources such as the Harper Collins German Unabridged Dictionary or the online dictionary LEO (after consulting the Harper Collins dictionary).

Objectives:

• You will improve your reading ability by closely analyzing challenging literary texts.
• You will expand and intensify your knowledge of the structure and semantics of the German language by completing vocabulary assignments, translations, and formal essays.
• You will improve your ability to write academic German.
• You will become familiar with and utilize library resources and online databases necessary for research in the field of German Studies.
• You will improve your academic speaking skills by leading class discussions, presenting news summaries, and presenting your translations to the class.
• You will improve your listening skills by viewing German films, listening to online news sources, and participating in an online exchange.

Books required for purchase:

• Franz Kafka, Die Verwandlung (in campus bookstore)
• Hermann Hesse, Demian (in campus bookstore)
• Thomas Brussig, Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee (in campus bookstore)
• Dictionary: Harper Collins German Unabridged Dictionary -- 5^th Edition (contains over 850,000 entries and translations). 

ISBN: 0060733810. (regular price is $55 but available on amazon.com for $36.30)

Additional readings will be provided by the instructor.

Assignments and Grading:

Oral Assignments: 30%

• discussion-leading (with handout for class) - 10%

• news summaries  (with handout for class) - 10%
• participation in classroom discussions (when not leading discussion) - 10%

Written assignments: 40%

• 3 translations (including oral presentation to class) – 10%
• vocabulary assignments – 5%
• 2 short papers, 3-5 pages each (two drafts of each, average taken) – 15%
• 1 final paper with secondary resources, 6-8 pages (one draft only) – 10%

Quizzes and Exams: 25%

• Reading Quizzes (unannounced, drop 1) - 5%
• Midterm and final 10% X 2 = 20%

Online Exchange Assignments: 5%

Plagiarism Policy:

The State University of West Georgia defines plagiarism as "the purchase and/or use of ghost-written papers and reports, or incorporating into a report, term theme, research paper, or project, ideas and information obtained from another person without giving credit to the person from whom such information was obtained" (Faculty Handbook, Section 207).  This definition applies equally to electronic, print, and verbal sources.  Plagiarism is grounds for failing this course.  Furthermore, using an on-line translation service or friends, family, and/or native speakers to correct and change your German before submitting papers, projects, homework are forms of plagiarism and are similarly grounds for failing this course.

Please note: all formal essays for this course must be original to this course, i.e. written work previously submitted for a grade in another course will not be accepted.

GRMN 4170: Composition

Contract (for your personal records):

1.      I will prepare for and participate in class in a manner that is productive for both myself and my classmates.  I will speak German at all times and understand that if I disrupt class in any way (talking English in group activities, demonstratively displaying bad moods, refusal to cooperate and participate), I may be considered absent. 

2.      I understand that all the work I submit must be my own.  I will not use an on-line translation service nor friends and family to correct any of my work in advance.  I understand that such actions constitute academic dishonesty and will result in a failing grade and/or further disciplinary actions.  

3.      I understand that attendance is important and that I am responsible for everything I miss when I skip class.  I know that tests cannot be made up except in cases of documented emergencies.  I understand that there is no guarantee that I can take a make-up exam.  If I have not contacted the professor before he returns the graded exams, I have relinquished the possibility of a make-up. I understand that QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

4.      I understand that coming to class late and/or leaving class at any point during the 150 minute period (except during assigned breaks) is rude and disruptive for my colleagues and professor and I will do so only in extreme circumstances. I understand that two lates is equivalent to an absence and will be counted as such.  I also understand that I may not have cell phones or beepers turned on, on vibrate, or on my desk during class.  I understand that if my cell phone goes off during an exam or quiz, I will receive a zero.  

5.      I understand that absences are my own business and need not be discussed with the professor because there are no excused absences in this class. All absences affect my performance and my grade both directly and indirectly. I know that it is my responsibility to learn the material covered in class on that day on my own and realize that it is not possible for the professor to reteach the class for me because I was absent. I know that I will automatically fail the class should I amass 6 absences before the end of the semester.

6.   I understand that if I am having difficulty with the class material that it is my responsibility to seek out my professor during his office hours to ask questions about the topics I am having difficulty with.

7. I understand that my finances, my job, my personal relationships, and my Hope Scholarship cannot play a role in the assigning of my grade and that my grade must be based on what I do and how well I do it in this course.  I understand that if I have dire personal circumstances, I may talk to the professor and the Dean about a hardship withdrawal from all of my classes.

8.   I understand that I am required by university policy to check my university e-mail account and that all e-mail correspondences between me and my professor should be made using university e-mail. I understand that if I write to my professor using any other e-mail address that he will not respond to the e-mail.

9.      I have read and understood the syllabus and how I will be evaluated in this course.  

10.      I have read and understood this contract or have asked questions about those aspects that I did not understand.  I hereby declare my commitment to following these guidelines and agree to contact my professor if I believe I can no longer fulfill this commitment. 

__________________________                                                   __________________________________

Date                                                                                                        Signature

GRMN 4170: Composition

Contract (for your personal records):

1.      I will prepare for and participate in class in a manner that is productive for both myself and my classmates.  I will speak German at all times and understand that if I disrupt class in any way (talking English in group activities, demonstratively displaying bad moods, refusal to cooperate and participate), I may be considered absent. 

2.      I understand that all the work I submit must be my own.  I will not use an on-line translation service nor friends and family to correct any of my work in advance.  I understand that such actions constitute academic dishonesty and will result in a failing grade and/or further disciplinary actions.  

3.      I understand that attendance is important and that I am responsible for everything I miss when I skip class.  I know that tests cannot be made up except in cases of documented emergencies.  I understand that there is no guarantee that I can take a make-up exam.  If I have not contacted the professor before he returns the graded exams, I have relinquished the possibility of a make-up. I understand that QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

4.      I understand that coming to class late and/or leaving class at any point during the 75 minute period is rude and disruptive for my colleagues and professor and I will do so only in extreme circumstances. I understand that two lates is equivalent to an absence and will be counted as such.  I also understand that I may not have cell phones or beepers turned on, on vibrate, or on my desk during class.  I understand that if my cell phone goes off during an exam or quiz, I will receive a zero.  

5.      I understand that absences are my own business and need not be discussed with the professor because there are no excused absences in this class. All absences effect my performance and my grade both directly and indirectly. I know that it is my responsibility to learn the material covered in class on that day on my own and realize that it is not possible for the professor to reteach the class for me because I was absent. I know that I will automatically fail the class should I amass 6 absences before the end of the semester.

6.   I understand that if I am having difficulty with the class material that it is my responsibility to seek out my professor during his office hours to ask questions about the topics I am having difficulty with.

7. I understand that my finances, my job, my personal relationships, and my Hope Scholarship cannot play a role in the assigning of my grade and that my grade must be based on what I do and how well I do it in this course.  I understand that if I have dire personal circumstances, I may talk to the professor and the Dean about a hardship withdrawal from all of my classes.

8.   I understand that I am required by university policy to check my university e-mail account and that all e-mail correspondences between me and my professor should be made using university e-mail. I understand that if I write to my professor using any other e-mail address that he will not respond to the e-mail.

9.      I have read and understood the syllabus and how I will be evaluated in this course.  

10.      I have read and understood this contract or have asked questions about those aspects that I did not understand.  I hereby declare my commitment to following these guidelines and agree to contact my professor if I believe I can no longer fulfill this commitment.