GRMN 4785-01W:

Austrian Literature and Culture

Course Description:

“Austrian Literature and Culture” is a content-based language and culture course, which means that you will improve your ability to speak, read, write, and understand German as you learn, discuss, and analyze important aspects of Austrian history and culture from the late eighteenth century to the present. In this course you will improve your ability to speak and write about such topics as music, art, politics, ideology, literature, gender roles and sexuality. Class format will include a combination of lectures (Vorlesungen), discussion, and students’ presentations (Referate).

Although Austria is a small country today, its influence on world culture has been enormous. Until 1918, Vienna was the capital of the multinational Austro-Hungarian Empire under the rule of the Hapsburg Dynasty; famous composers, writers, directors, philosophers, and scientists such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Gustav Mahler, Johann Strauss, Arnold Schönberg, Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Fritz Lang, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, Karl Kraus and Arthur Schnitzler all lived and worked in Vienna for at least part of their lives. On the dark side, Vienna was also the birthplace of modern Anti-Semitism and Austria the birthplace of Hitler.

This is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Course. WAC accepts as a guiding principle the idea that writing is a valuable tool for learning and communication. Therefore, the writing components of this course are designed to help you learn the material and communicate what you have learned. Assignments will include both Writing to Learn and Writing to Communicate activities.

Special Note: Since this class meets only once a week, READING ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE LONGER THAN WHAT YOU ARE USED TO. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BEGIN PREPARING WELL IN ADVANCE. IF YOU WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING TO BEGIN THE READING YOU WILL NOT BE PREPARED FOR CLASS! SET ASIDE A BLOCK OF TIME EVERY DAY, BEGINNING ON TUESDAY, IN ORDER TO COMPLETE READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS COURSE!

Course Objectives (content and language):

• You will be able to recognize and discuss (in German!) the significance of important figures and movements of Austrian history and culture.
• You will demonstrate a basic understanding of major developments in Austrian history since the late eighteenth century.
• You will improve your ability to read German by closely analyzing challenging literary texts.
• You will expand your German vocabulary and actively use abstract and complex language in discussing and writing about the course topics.
• You will improve your ability to write German.
• You will improve your speaking skills by giving oral presentations and actively participating in class discussion.

Books Required for Purchase:

• Leo Perutz. Zwischen neun und neun.
• Arthur Schnitzler. Traumnovelle.
• Marlen Haushofer. Wir töten Stella.
• Thomas Bernhard. Heldenplatz.
• Additional readings will be distributed by the instructor.

Assignments and Grading:

• Vocabulary assignments and quizzes (drop 2 of each) = 10%
• 3 short essays (Writing to Learn: 2-4 pages) @ 10% each = 30%
• 1 final essay in two drafts (Writing to Communicate, 5-7 pages) = 15%
• 2 oral presentations (Referate) = total of 10%
• Midterm and Final Exam = 25%
• Class participation = 10%

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.

Semesterplan

German 4785-01W Fall, 2007

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. 

German 4785-01W Fall, 2007

Contract (to sign and return to instructor):

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