Syllabus for GR 309A-- Second Year-First Semester German

Text:  Kaleidoskop (7th ed.).  Web cite for text: http://college.cengage.com/languages/german/moeller/kaleidoskop/7e/instructor_home.html

Course Overview: GR 309A is an Intermediate language course, which assumes prior knowledge or experience with German at the first year level. Students must have at least one year of college level German or equivalent prior to enrolling in GR 309A. This course uses a variety of language teaching approaches to help the students achieve the continuous development of all four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It will emphasize the use of all these skills to gain a more in-depth understanding of the cultural practices, products, and perspectives that make up the complex diversity of the German-speaking world. Students will apply their analytical skills in a language different from their own.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of GR 309A students will be able to:

1. Understand face-to-face speech in standard language when spoken at a normal rate by sympathetic native speakers used to dealing with students of German.  Understand the main idea on a variety of familiar topics beyond basic survival skills.
2. Ask and answer questions and carry on a conversation on the above-mentioned topics with sufficient accuracy in pronunciation and the use of vocabulary and grammar (using a variety of tenses and sentence structures) so as to be understood by sympathetic native speakers who are used to dealing with students of German.
3. Read a variety of level appropriate authentic materials on familiar and some unfamiliar topics including carefully chosen literary selections with an understanding of the main idea and most supporting details.
4. Write a coherent composition on familiar and unfamiliar topics with a logical organization and sufficient accuracy in grammar and spelling so as to be understood by sympathetic native speakers who are used to dealing with students of the target language.
5. Understand and interpret significant traits (lifestyles, attitudes, customs, etc.) and themes of the German-speaking world (past and present), and function appropriately in frequently encountered social situations.

Administrative Information:

Disability Services:

Regis University, in compliance with federal guidelines, is committed to equal educational opportunity by assuring otherwise qualified students with disabilities equal access to Regis University programs and activities that are provided to students without disabilities.  An otherwise qualified person with a disability is a student who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in Regis University’s educational programs and activities.  Eligibility:  To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate services at Regis University, students with disabilities must identify themselves in a timely manner to the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Room 118B, Life Directions Center, 303-458-4941, disability@regis.edu, in order to be eligible for requested accommodation(s).  Current and comprehensive documentation must be on file with ODS prior to approval of the accommodation.  It is strongly encouraged that students self-disclose their disabilities at the beginning of their academic experience because accommodations are not retroactive.

Course Withdrawal Policy:

Students are expected to know and observe the published deadlines for (a) dropping the course and (b) withdrawing from the course. These deadlines are published on the University’s Academic Calendar, which is available in the Bulletin, the course schedule and is in the Dean’s Office. Please observe the following dates: Last Day to Drop the Course: August 31, 2009: Last Day to Withdraw from the Course (no refund):  October 30, 2009. THESE DEADLINES ARE NOT FLEXIBLE.

 Course Requirements:

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

 Please note that credit in this class will only be given to work done by the actual student requesting credit and registered for this class. Keep in mind that any work done outside of class will be given credit following the same guidelines for work done in class: if outside assistance is not allowed on quizzes and/or exams, it will not be allowed in compositions and/or individually graded homework assignments. Please keep this in mind when working with tutors, requesting outside assistance, etc. Instructors will discuss in class how specific rules will apply to each assignment.  Talk to me if you have questions about these policies.

Consistent with the College's Academic Integrity Policy, students will report all violations of this course's academic integrity policy to the Dean's office. Students who have committed multiple instances of academic dishonesty can be subject to institutional penalties like probation, suspension, or expulsion, in addition to the penalties for this course. The Academic Integrity policy is described in the Bulletin; detailed information about the policy and the appeals process can be found in the Dean's office."

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:

Students are required to show proper classroom behavior, attend all classes, and to have an active participation in class and in all activities assigned for the course. In order to participate in class and use new language forms with the benefit of receiving feedback from me, you need to attend classes regularly. Using the language to interact with me and your classmates is an important aspect of learning the language and cannot be measured in written exams. Therefore, a portion of your final grade will depend on class participation. More than four (4) unexcused absences will result in the loss of participation points in the final grade: 2% will be deducted from the final grade for each absence above 4.  Eight (8) excused or unexcused absences will result in a course failure.  There is NO MAKE-UP of missed class work, quizzes or oral presentations. Talk to me about any attendance problem.

 HOMEWORK:

The main goal when learning a foreign language is the actual use of the language for communication purposes. This involves a great deal of practice. Therefore, students must prepare and complete on time all work assigned in class. This includes readings, oral presentations, compositions and other written assignments, quizzes, activities manual exercises, and the web activities designed for this course. Plan at least two (2) hours study outside of class for every hour of class time. This course offers the student ample opportunity to practice and do well in the class through a variety of assignments.  It is essential that students make a genuine effort to be up to date on all class activities.

Written Evaluations:

Written Exams: There will be regular content tests, a midterm, and a final exam with listening comprehension, grammar, reading, and composition, including questions and information on specific topics related to the analysis of the culture of the German-speaking world.

Format for Midterm and Final Exam:

1.    Listening Comprehension: Students will listen to a text in German and will answer comprehension questions. Possible testing formats: short answer, multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.

2.    Reading Comprehension: Students will read a text in German and will answer comprehension questions. Possible testing formats: short answer, multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.

3.    Grammar Review: Students will show their understanding and proper use of selected grammar points. Possible testing formats: fill in the blanks, matching, transformation, rewrite, etc)

4.    Vocabulary Review: Students will show their understanding and proper use of selected vocabulary. Possible testing formats: (fill in the blanks, matching, transformation, etc.

5.    General Questions: Students will answer questions in German with complete sentences. Answers will be graded based on comprehension and accuracy in the use of language structures.

6.    Culture Questions: Students will answer questions in German about aspects of the target culture presented in class.  Answers will be graded based on content.

7.    Composition: Students will write a short composition on a specific topic showing understanding of level appropriate culture practices, products, and perspectives in the target language. It will be graded based on readability, comprehension, fluency, organization, content, and appropriate use of vocabulary and language structures.

Quizzes: We will have at least five short quizzes. Quizzes will be graded based on accuracy of linguistic structures tested.  They will have different formats to familiarize students with the different parts included on the Mid-Term and the final exam.

MISSED EXAMS and/or QUIZZES: in general, there are no make-up exams and/or quizzes. If, however, for reasons beyond your control, you know that you will not be able to take an exam and/or quiz, talk to your instructor to arrange an alternate day or time before the day of the test. A student who misses an exam and/or quiz without previously arranging for an alternate time must present appropriate documentation of a personal emergency in order to avoid a zero (0).

Compositions: Students will write four compositions over the semester. The first three compositions will be thematic and will require students to write in different formats and genres: interviews, letters, narration, description, reviews, analysis, etc.  Compositions will have two drafts. The evaluation of the first draft will emphasize structure, while the evaluation of the final draft will emphasize content and communication.  All compositions will be typewritten following the MLA style. Compositions will be graded based on content, organization, and appropriate use of grammar, vocabulary, and language mechanics (spelling, punctuation, etc.) 

Timeliness:  Compositions turned in late will be marked down 10% each day late.

Composition #4--(der Aufsatz) will be 35 lines long, typed double-spaced, with a 12 pitch font and a one inch margin.  You will choose the title for the fourth composition and let me know in advance.  You will turn in your rough draft to me at which time we will go over it in my office together.  After you have made our suggested changes you will turn it in and it will be the basis for your oral assignment.  When you turn in your final paper you must also attach your annotated rough draft (with my corrections).  See evaluation chart below.

Oral Presentations/Exams: There will be two oral presentations/exams in groups or individually.  Oral presentations/exams will be graded based on amount of communication provided in spoken target language (not reading--notes not permitted), ability to foster listener comprehension and interest, appropriate use of time, ability to answer questions in the target language, accuracy in pronunciation, and appropriate use of language structures and vocabulary. Preparation is crucial to do well in oral presentations.  Some preparation time will be provided during class time, but students will have to plan for out of class individual and/or group work.  

Oral  exam #2 (der Vortrag) will be the same as your fourth written assignment, same title, same content.    It will be about 4 minutes in length and delivered without notes.  Pronunciation, length and fluency will be evaluated.  Note well that it is possible to make a near perfect score on the written portion of this deliverable simply by making the changes to your composition that we discuss.  However, in order to score well on the oral portion, you must internalize your composition; you must "own" it!   A Power Point presentation with pictures but without German text (which could be a crutch) is a good presentation method. See evaluation chart and correction symbols chart below.

German Compositions: Key to Correction Symbols

Volunteer Work: Service-Learning/Community-Based Learning

Students enrolled in this class may, in unusual circumstances, be given the opportunity to participate in Service-Learning/Community-Based Learning activities sponsored by the Regis College Center for Service Learning provided they are placed in an environment where they are exposed to the language they are studying on a regular basis.

Grades:

Grade Scale:

20%--4% each short and 8% for the final one

Accordingly, each of the five areas above is worth 200 points on a 1000 point course total scale, and 865 points, for example, equates to a grade of 86.5%.

Syllabus

Week 1

Oral assessment

Written assessment

Week  2:
Quiz 1 (Quizzes typically given on Thursdays--exception Mass of the Holy Spirit)

Week 3:
Composition 1 First draft.

Week  4:
Quiz 2

Week 5:
Composition 1, Second draft

Week 6:

Composition 2  First draft.

Quiz 3
 Week 7:

Composition 2, Second draft.

Review.

ORAL EXAM 1

Week  8:
ORAL Exam 1

Written exam  1. (midterm)

Composition 3, First draft.

 Week 9:              

ORAL EXAM 1

Week 10:

Composition 3, Second draft

 Quiz 4.

Week  11:
Composition 4, First draft

Week 12:

Quiz 5.

Week 13:
Composition 4. Second draft

Week  14:                                                                                                                    
ORAL EXAM 2

Week 15:                                                                                                                      

Review.

Oral Exam 2.

Final exam (written exam 2)

Syllabus for GR 309B-- Second Year-First Semester German

Text:  Kaleidoskop (7th ed.).  Web cite for text: http://college.cengage.com/languages/german/moeller/kaleidoskop/7e/instructor_home.html

Course Overview: GR 309B is an Intermediate language course, which assumes prior knowledge or experience with German at the first year level. Students must typically have completed GR 309A prior to enrolling in GR 309B. This course uses a variety of language teaching approaches to help the students achieve the continuous development of all four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It will emphasize the use of all these skills to gain a more in-depth understanding of the cultural practices, products, and perspectives that make up the complex diversity of the German-speaking world. Students will apply their analytical skills in a language different from their own.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of GR 309B students will be able to:

1. Understand face-to-face speech in standard language when spoken at a normal rate by sympathetic native speakers used to dealing with students of German.  Understand the main idea on a variety of familiar topics beyond basic survival skills.
2. Ask and answer questions and carry on a conversation on the above-mentioned topics with sufficient accuracy in pronunciation and the use of vocabulary and grammar (using a variety of tenses and sentence structures) so as to be understood by sympathetic native speakers who are used to dealing with students of German.
3. Read a variety of level appropriate authentic materials on familiar and some unfamiliar topics including carefully chosen literary selections with an understanding of the main idea and most supporting details.
4. Write a coherent composition on familiar and unfamiliar topics with a logical organization and sufficient accuracy in grammar and spelling so as to be understood by sympathetic native speakers who are used to dealing with students of the target language.
5. Understand and interpret significant traits (lifestyles, attitudes, customs, etc.) and themes of the German-speaking world (past and present), and function appropriately in frequently encountered social situations.

Administrative Information:

Disability Services:

Regis University, in compliance with federal guidelines, is committed to equal educational opportunity by assuring otherwise qualified students with disabilities equal access to Regis University programs and activities that are provided to students without disabilities.  An otherwise qualified person with a disability is a student who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in Regis University’s educational programs and activities.  Eligibility:  To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate services at Regis University, students with disabilities must identify themselves in a timely manner to the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Room 118B, Life Directions Center, 303-458-4941, disability@regis.edu, in order to be eligible for requested accommodation(s).  Current and comprehensive documentation must be on file with ODS prior to approval of the accommodation.  It is strongly encouraged that students self-disclose their disabilities at the beginning of their academic experience because accommodations are not retroactive.

Course Withdrawal Policy:

Students are expected to know and observe the published deadlines for (a) dropping the course and (b) withdrawing from the course. These deadlines are published on the University’s Academic Calendar, which is available in the Bulletin, the course schedule and is in the Dean’s Office. Please observe the following dates: Last Day to Drop the Course: January 26, 2010.  Last Day to Withdraw from the Course (no refund):  March 26, 2010. THESE DEADLINES ARE NOT FLEXIBLE.

 Course Requirements:

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

 Please note that credit in this class will only be given to work done by the actual student requesting credit and registered for this class. Keep in mind that any work done outside of class will be given credit following the same guidelines for work done in class: if outside assistance is not allowed on quizzes and/or exams, it will not be allowed in compositions and/or individually graded homework assignments. Please keep this in mind when working with tutors, requesting outside assistance, etc. Instructors will discuss in class how specific rules will apply to each assignment.  Talk to me if you have questions about these policies.

Consistent with the College's Academic Integrity Policy, students will report all violations of this course's academic integrity policy to the Dean's office. Students who have committed multiple instances of academic dishonesty can be subject to institutional penalties like probation, suspension, or expulsion, in addition to the penalties for this course. The Academic Integrity policy is described in the Bulletin; detailed information about the policy and the appeals process can be found in the Dean's office."

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:

Students are required to show proper classroom behavior, attend all classes, and to have an active participation in class and in all activities assigned for the course. In order to participate in class and use new language forms with the benefit of receiving feedback from me, you need to attend classes regularly. Using the language to interact with me and your classmates is an important aspect of learning the language and cannot be measured in written exams. Therefore, a portion of your final grade will depend on class participation. More than four (4) unexcused absences will result in the loss of participation points in the final grade: 2% will be deducted from the final grade for each absence above 4.  Eight (8) excused or unexcused absences will result in a course failure.  There is NO MAKE-UP of missed class work, quizzes or oral presentations. Talk to me about any attendance problem.

 HOMEWORK:

The main goal when learning a foreign language is the actual use of the language for communication purposes. This involves a great deal of practice. Therefore, students must prepare and complete on time all work assigned in class. This includes readings, oral presentations, compositions and other written assignments, quizzes, activities manual exercises, and the web activities designed for this course. Plan at least two (2) hours study outside of class for every hour of class time. This course offers the student ample opportunity to practice and do well in the class through a variety of assignments.  It is essential that students make a genuine effort to be up to date on all class activities.

Written Evaluations:

Written Exams: There will be regular content tests, a midterm, and a final exam with listening comprehension, grammar, reading, and composition, including questions and information on specific topics related to the analysis of the culture of the German-speaking world.

Format for Midterm and Final Exam:

1.    Listening Comprehension: Students will listen to a text in German and will answer comprehension questions. Possible testing formats: short answer,   multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.

2.    Reading Comprehension: Students will read a text in German and will answer comprehension questions. Possible testing formats: short answer, multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.

3.    Grammar Review: Students will show their understanding and proper use of selected grammar points. Possible testing formats: fill in the blanks, matching, transformation, rewrite, etc)

4.    Vocabulary Review: Students will show their understanding and proper use of selected vocabulary. Possible testing formats: (fill in the blanks, matching, transformation, etc.

5.    General Questions: Students will answer questions in German with complete sentences. Answers will be graded based on comprehension and accuracy in the use of language structures.

6.    Culture Questions: Students will answer questions in German about aspects of the target culture presented in class.  Answers will be graded based on content.

7.    Composition: Students will write a short composition on a specific topic showing understanding of level appropriate culture practices, products, and perspectives in the target language. It will be graded based on readability, comprehension, fluency, organization, content, and appropriate use of vocabulary and language structures.

Quizzes: We will have at least five short quizzes. Quizzes will be graded based on accuracy of linguistic structures tested.  They will have different formats to familiarize students with the different parts included on the Mid-Term and the final exam.

MISSED EXAMS and/or QUIZZES: in general, there are no make-up exams and/or quizzes. If, however, for reasons beyond your control, you know that you will not be able to take an exam and/or quiz, talk to your instructor to arrange an alternate day or time before the day of the test. A student who misses an exam and/or quiz without previously arranging for an alternate time must present appropriate documentation of a personal emergency in order to avoid a zero (0).

Compositions: Students will write four compositions over the semester. The first three compositions will be thematic and will require students to write in different formats and genres: interviews, letters, narration, description, reviews, analysis, etc.  Compositions will have two drafts. The evaluation of the first draft will emphasize structure, while the evaluation of the final draft will emphasize content and communication.  All compositions will be typewritten following the MLA style. Compositions will be graded based on content, organization, and appropriate use of grammar, vocabulary, and language mechanics (spelling, punctuation, etc.) 

Composition #4--(der Aufsatz) will be 35 lines long, typed double-spaced, with a 12 pitch font and a one inch margin.  You will choose the title for the fourth composition and let me know in advance.  You will turn in your rough draft to me at which time we will go over it in my office together.  After you have made our suggested changes you will turn it in and it will be the basis for your oral assignment.  When you turn in your final paper you must also attach your annotated rough draft (with my corrections).  See evaluation chart below.

Oral Presentations/Exams: There will be two oral presentations/exams in groups or individually.  Oral presentations/exams will be graded based on amount of communication provided in spoken target language (not reading), ability to foster listener comprehension and interest, appropriate use of time, ability to answer questions in the target language, accuracy in pronunciation, and appropriate use of language structures and vocabulary. Preparation is crucial to do well in oral presentations.  Some preparation time will be provided during class time, but students will have to plan for out of class individual and/or group work.  

Oral  exam #2 (der Vortrag) will be the same as your fourth written assignment, same title, same content.    It will be about 4 minutes in length and delivered without notes.  Pronunciation, length and fluency will be evaluated.  Note well that it is possible to make a near perfect score on the written portion of this deliverable simply by making the changes to your composition that we discuss.  However, in order to score well on the oral portion, you must internalize your composition; you must "own" it!   A Power Point presentation with pictures but without German text (which could be a crutch) is a good presentation method. See evaluation chart and correction symbols below.

German Compositions: Key to Correction Symbols

Volunteer Work: Service-Learning/Community-Based Learning

Students enrolled in this class may, in unusual circumstances, be given the opportunity to participate in Service-Learning/Community-Based Learning activities sponsored by the Regis College Center for Service Learning provided they are placed in an environment where they are exposed to the language they are studying on a regular basis.

Grades:

Grade Scale:

20%--4% each short and 8% for the final one

Accordingly, each of the five areas above is worth 200 points on a 1000 point course total scale, and 865 points, for example, equates to a grade of 86.5%.

Syllabus

Week 1

Oral assessment

Written assessment

Week  2:
Quiz 1 (Quizzes typically given on Thursdays)

Week 3:
Composition 1 First draft.

Week  4:
Quiz 2

Week 5:
Composition 1, Second draft

Week 6:

Composition 2  First draft.

Quiz 3
 Week 7:

Composition 2, Second draft.

Review.

ORAL EXAM 1

Week  8:
ORAL Exam 1

Written exam  1. (midterm)

Composition 3, First draft.

 Week 9:              

ORAL EXAM 1

Week 10:

Composition 3, Second draft

 Quiz 4.

Week  11:
Composition 4, First draft

Week 12:

Quiz 5.

Week 13:
Composition 4. Second draft

Week  14:                                                                                                                    
ORAL EXAM 2

Week 15:                                                                                                                      

Review.

Oral Exam 2.

Final exam (written exam 2)

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