First Year German 1010
Last Updated: Wednesday September 02, 2009 05:14 PM

FIRST YEAR GERMAN
Fall 2009
Deutsch 1010
(check for updates throughout the semester)
 

Professor:
Eva Ludwiga Szalay
Office: Elizabeth Hall Room 242
Phone: 801.626.7908 
Office Hours (Main campus): 8:30-9:30am M, T, W, Th, and by appointment at other times
Email: eszalay@weber.edu
Website: http://faculty.weber.edu/eszalay

Texts:
Deutsch, Na Klar! An Introductory German Course. Textbook. 5th Edition. (Required)

Deutsch, Na Klar! Laboratory Manual and Workbook. 5th Edition. (Strongly recommended)

All Deutsch, Na Klar! materials are packaged with audio materials; the 5th Ed. is now available with an AudioPak.
Cultural & authentic German texts on e-reserve: see E-Reserve Access.

Course Goals:
The overall goal of First Year German (1010 and 1020) is to develop linguistic and cultural knowledge, allowing students to feel comfortable in thinking of themselves as users of German. The course emphasizes developing skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking, as well as in learning about the German-language cultures. Topics include describing oneself and others (family, friends, classmates), time (present and past narration), activities and occupations (school, work, holidays, leisure, travel) and the world around us (environment, residence). 

By this first semester's end, students will be able to:
* use German, based on preparation in all four skill areas;
* understand and produce certain basic text types, from personal and interactional, to public, supported by reading and listening skill development;
* familiarize themselves with authentic materials, audio-visual, and multimedia resources, including the World Wide Web (see attached list). A vital portion of this course is designed to help students gain an understanding of the importance of cultural literacy, and how literacy involves not only text, but also image and screen literacy, and
* communicate effectively within immediate and individual areas of interest, incorporating some broader cultural knowledge in a variety of topics and issues.

In order to achieve these goals, it is vital that students actively participate in all classroom activities and keep up with course assignments, such as independent projects, partnerwork (Partnerarbeit), and written homework. Throughout this course, we emphasize linguistic accuracy along with effective communication. Creativity, breadth of vocabulary use and style are critical to long-term achievement; hence, the choice of a communicative approach that highlights critical skills in listening, speaking, writing and reading. A balance of activities over the semester seeks to ensure the successful development of the four skills, as well as cultural knowledge, and assessment of progress will occur across these four modalities throughout the semester.


Assessment/Grading:
                    Chapter Tests, Quizzes..................45%
                    Interactive Partnerarbeiten ...........15%
                    Class Participation........................40%
             
Detailed information on the Grading and Attendance Policy, and Services for Students with Disabilities is available at: http://faculty.weber.edu/eszalay/Grading_Policy

All students majoring in German, see also: The Department of Foreign Language's Assessment Requirements.

Culture: Since culture is an integral component of language and intrinsic to successful language acquisition, this course will focus thematically on important contemporary cultural issues. Regular class discussions will concentrate on themes introduced in each of this semester's five chapters, and will integrate information from the World Wide Web and media cultural programming.

Speaking: Classwork will emphasize communicative accuracy and effectiveness. There will also be an interactive presentation which will be assessed according to criteria specified in a handout.

Writing: Writing will be an important aspect of coursework, primarily -- in the beginning -- through homework exercises prepared in class first.

Reading: Reading will be assessed throughout the semester in class activities and homework, as well as with quizzes and exams.

Listening: Listening skills will develop within a communicative framework, and with additional audio assignments. Listening will also be assessed on quizzes and exams.

Quizzes: 2- to 10-minute quizzes can test grammatical, cultural, and/or thematic content, incorporating reading, writing, and listening skills in balance. NOTE: Missed quizzes cannot be made up. Up to 10% of final Test Total Grade.

Chapter Tests and Final: Regular chapter tests, usually formatted in a mid-term that covers 2-3 chapters together, and a non-comprehensive final exam that focuses on the last portion of the semester (again, usually 2-3 chapters), will evaluate extensive knowledge. These tests, the mid-term and final, are cumulative in that they build on the previously learned material and balance--to the extent covered in class and possible--the four skills in the testing format. 
The Final Semester Chapter Tests/Exam will be administered during the last week of classes (during the week of November 30 - December 4) in the Testing Center of the STUDENT SERVICES CENTER, and will be available ONLY ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS (NO EXCEPTIONS):
    Wednesday, December 2nd, 7:30a.m. - 8:00pm
    Thursday, December 3rd, 7:30a.m. - 8:00p.m. 
See more detailed information below. Chapter Tests/Exams: 35% + Quizzes: 10%.  

An interactive Partnerarbeit project will focus on spoken communication, and on the use of resources gained through the World Wide Web, specifically with (largely) German-language videos on YouTube and news websites. These presentations will take place according to criteria specified on the assignment handout (see below: German 1010 Partnerarbeit). 15% of final grade.

Class Participation and Preparation are an essential foundation for language learning and comprises a significant percentage of the overall assessment. Consistent, constructive participation is expected from all. Attendance is highly critical, since progress suffers when work on assignments and daily contribution to class discussions are not maintained (refer to: http://faculty.weber.edu/eszalay/Grading_Policy). 

Consistent and constructive participation enables students to:
1) build confidence in using German;
2) experience the relationship between comprehension and production, and between content and language form;
3) shape communication creatively within the available resources;
4) find useful balance between accuracy, fluency, complexity, and comprehensibility;
5) ascertain the (socio-cultural) appropriateness of a message;
6) obtain feedback from the professor regarding areas of language use that need attention. 40% of final grade.

Partnered Prochievement Interviews, an integral part of the Class Participation and Preparation grade, will be conducted during the final weeks of class and this series of "tests" will focus on discrete communication skills (greeting in the form of du/Sie; making acquaintances; describing oneself; asking basic directions, etc.). Assessment will be based on explicitly defined criteria stated in advance (see Final Exam Preparation: Prochievement Interview Exam). Percentage is part of overall Class Participation/Preparation grade.

Attendance Policy: NOTE: Classwork in general cannot be made up and late homework will NOT be accepted for a grade (see, for example, under "Quizzes," above). Students are certainly welcome and encouraged to turn in what they have, but any late work will not be accepted for a grade. 
If a student must be absent for a reason other than a genuine emergency, s/he should plan to get the information on the class(es) missed in order to fully participate in the next class. See information in this syllabus (above, under "Course Goals") on the general progress through the main course text, Deutsch: Na Klar! This progression involves -- with every chapter -- that content from the "Grammatik in Kontext" section is covered first and then the first half of the chapter is started for language practice, drawing on concepts learned in the "Grammatik im Kontext" section. To restate: each chapter covered involves first becoming acquainted with the concepts introduced in the middle of each chapter (in the section titled "Grammatik im Kontext") and then working "backwards" as it were, to the beginning of the chapter and progressing to the middle again, back to where we started with the "Grammatik im Kontext section.
If a student knows that s/he will have to miss a class, advise Prof. Szalay of the anticipated absence(s) in advance in writing (either a written note turned in the previous class or an email, addressed to eszalay@weber.edu). Verbal notification alone will not suffice. Without advance written notice of the absence, the Participation/Preparation grade for the day(s) in question is an automatic no-credit ("0"). After three (3) unexcused absences, any further absences will have a negative impact on the final course grade.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING CANCELLATION OF CLASSES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, such as an outbreak of the H1N1 virus.
In the event of an extended campus closure, I will continue to provide instruction and interaction by means of the Weber State University EMAIL system. My email (as above) is: eszalay@weber.edu. Throughout the time of the closure, you can expect an email message from me on specific days each week during the closure; the specific days will be determined in the first email you would receive from me, in the event of such a closure.  Since I plan to use WEBER EMAIL systems for all communication purposes, you must know that YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING YOUR WILDCAT EMAIL ACCOUNT VERY REGULARLY.
The email I send you will contain a file (Word, PowerPoint, audio, etc.) file attachment that will provide a lecture substitute, directions for any written assignments, and readings, and any other pertinent information. You are to complete the assignment during the same week and submit it IN the text of the email, as well as an attachment to an email message back to me by the following Sunday evening. Tests and exams will be postponed until students are able to return to campus, unless the closure extends beyond three weeks. In that case, I will send an email message containing a link to a Chi Tester (or other) assessment measure/instrument with specific instructions for completing the assessment.
Because it can be challenging to complete assignments in a word processing program, I will accept homework either electronically (as specified above, in a document in the WILDCAT EMAIL you send and/OR as via (by means of) Standard US MAIL to the following address:
Eva L. Szalay
Professor, Department of Foreign Languages
Elizabeth Hall Rom 242
1403 University Circle
Weber State University
Ogden UT 84408-1403

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF YOUR WILDCAT EMAIL ADDRESS at the beginning of the semester so that we are all prepared. Be prepared to access this WSU WILDCAT account on a regular basis.

WSU Academic Standards
All courses in the Foreign Language Department adhere to the Weber State University Policy on Academic Standards. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsification, accessing unauthorized course or test information, using unauthorized resources or breaches of copyright law and will not be tolerated in this German 1010 course, The penalty for academic dishonesty in German 1010 is failure of the course. In cases of alleged violations, the procedures outlined in the policy will be followed. A complete description of the WSU Policy on Academic Standards is available in the WSU Student Code, Section IV, titled "Student Responsibilities."

                                        GERMAN 1010
                                        PARTNERARBEIT

In the first year of German, students present on topics of cultural interest. A primary purpose of this partnered presentation is to enhance learning by supplementing the in-class exploration of vital cultural information with creative input from resources in and just beyond the daily classroom experience (e.g., the World Wide Web, viewing and listening to German-language audiovisual materials). This may involve students playing the music of Mozart and Rammstein, examining the German Volkswagen Fahrvergnügen commercials, or presenting through cultural contextualization a brief clip from a contemporary German-language film (e.g., Der Untergang, Stalingrad; Goodbye, Lenin; Lola rennt [Run, Lola, Run]; Harry Potter (in German). 20% of final grade.

Length of presentations: 5 minutes
Use of Handouts/Audiovisual materials strongly encouraged
Overhead projector, VCR equipment (VHS and DVD available) in Elizabeth Hall/Wattis Building

Einführung/Introduction
Greetings: formal and informal ________________________________
Getting acquainted in the German manner ________________________________
You already know some German: Germanic languages & cognates ________________________________
The status of German in present-day Europe ________________________________

Chapter 1: Über mich und andere
Germanic languages & cognates ________________________________
Freizeit und Spaß in Deutschland: ________________________________
German Quality: Focus on Foods, Chocolate: ____________________________

Chapter 2: Wie ich wohne
Leben und Wohnen in German-speaking Countries
Gewohnheiten/Customs and Folklore: __________________________________
Interviewing Germans / Austrians / Swiss Students ________________________
German Housing and  Residences ________________________
Products for Daily Living: Comparisons and Contrasts ________________________

Deutsche u. Österreichische Musik, Kunst, u. Kultur
Germans, Their Sports, Sportsmanship & The Fans: _________________________
Mozart und seine Musik: ____________________________________
Beethoven: ___________________________________
German / Austrian Commercials: _________________________________
German Economy: Leisure & The Budget: ____________________________

Chapter 3: Familie, Familienleben und Freunde
Familienleben in Deutschland, Österreich, der Schweiz ______________________
Freunde und Bekannte ________________________________
Feiertage: Tag der deutschen Einheit ___________________________________ 
Deutsche und Österreichische Musik, Kunst & Kultur ________________________
German Films, Silent Films, Techniques: _______________________________
Contemporary German Music/Alternative Scene: ______________________________
German Industries & Pharmaceuticals: BMW, Bayer: ______________________________

 

USEFUL WEBSITES
for 
RESEARCHING PRESENTATIONS

Below are several of the most successful websites German 1010 participants have employed in their search for authentic materials and information for their presentations.
Additions to this list are welcome! 

Contact:
Dr. Szalay at eszalay@weber.edu

www.deutschewelle.de - - Deutsche Welle
    Live radio online, including Deutsche Welle TV Program Listings

www.germannews.de - German News, Jahresübersicht
Der Pressedienst, German News Pressedienst

www.juma.de - Juma Magazine / Das Jugendmagazine

www.fllc.smu.edu/fllc/german/index2.html
Information on Germany, Austria, Switzerland
and Lichtenstein
German News and Current Information provided by the German faculty at SMU
Lists Art, Business, Culture, History, Literature, Media, Sports, Travel, Other

www.newsstand.de -- Newsstand Deutschland
List of German newspapers and magazines 
with links to various sites

www.tvtoday.de - TV News Today
TV Guide, lists programs by themes: including
Politik, Sport, Kinder, Frauen
for German-language stations

www.web.de - Das deutsche Internet Verzeichnis
Deutschlands umfangreichster Web-katalog
1,200 news groups by category

                                           GERMAN 1010
                                Important Course Dates - Fall 2009

1. Woche (24. August - 27. August)
First full week of classes
Mo 24.8 Einführung/Introduction
Di   25.8 Einführung/Introduction
Mi  26.8 Einführung/Introduction
Do  27.8 Einführung/Introduction

2. Woche (31. August - 3. September)
Mo  31.8 Einführung/Introduction 
Di    2.9 Partner-Arbeit (Teamwork) Preparation
Mi   3.9 PartnerArbeit (Teamwork) Preparation
Do   4.9 PartnerArbeit (Teamwork) Preparation

3. Woche (7. September - 10. September)
Mo  7.9  Labor Day Holiday
Di    8.9  Preparation of Team Presentation (Partnerarbeit)
Mi   9.9  Preparation of Team Presentation (Partnerarbeit)
Do  10.9  Preparation of Team Presentation (Partnerarbeit) / Einführung & Kapitel 1

4. Woche (14. September - 17. September)
Mo 14.9 Last Day to Cancel Semester & 1st Block Classes w/ a partial refund
               Kapitel 1
Di   15.9 Library and Research Preparation of Team Presentation
               Kapitel 1
Mi  16.9 Course Discussion of Presentation Preparation: Difficulties and Challenges
               Kapitel 1
Do  17.9 Library and Research Preparation of Team Presentation / Kapitel 1

5. Woche (21. September - 24. September)
Mo 21.9 Outline of Team Presentation Handout and References due
               Sign-Up Sheet for Presentations Finalized on Calendar for this Semester
Di  22.9  Kapitel 1
Mi 23.9  Kapitel 1
Do 24.9  Kapitel 1

6. Woche (28. September - 1. Oktober)
Mo 21.9 Kapitel 1
Di  22.9  Kapitel 1
Mi 23.9  Kapitel 1
Do 24.9  Kapitel 1

7. Woche (5. Oktober - 8. Oktober)
Mo  5.10 Kapitel 1
Di    6.10 Kapitel 1
Mi   7.10 Kapitel 1
Do   8.10 Oktober -- Kapitel (Chapter) Vocabulary Quiz (Take Home)
 
8. Woche (12. Oktober - 15. Oktober)
Mo 12.10 Kapitel 1 & 2
Di   13.10 Kapitel 1 & 2
Mi  14.10 Kapitel 1 & 2
Do 15. Oktober -- Kapitel (Intro & Chapter-to-date) Pre-Test as Take-Home
Fr  16.10  FALL BREAK - NO CLASSES 

9. Woche (19. Oktober - 22. Oktober)
Mo  19.10 Kapitel 2
Di    20.10 Kapitel 2
Mi   21.10 ****Einfuehrung - Kapitel 1 & 2 TEST**** (Student Services Testing Center, 2nd Floor:7:30am - 8:00pm)
Do   22.10 ***Einfuehrung - Kapitel 1 & 2 TEST*** (Student Services Testing Center, 2nd Floor:7:30am-8:00pm)

10. Woche (26. Oktober - 29. Oktober)
Mo 26.10 Kapitel 2
Di   27.10 Kapitel 2
Mi  28.10 Kapitel 2
Do  29.10 Kapitel 2

11. Woche (2. November - 5. November)
Mo   2.11 Kapitel 2
Di     3.11 Kapitel 2
Mi    4.11 Kapitel 2
Do    5.11 Kapitel 2

12. Woche (9. November - 12. November)
Mo   9.11 Kapitel 2
Di    10.11 Kapitel 2
Mi   11.11 Kapitel 2 &3
Do   12.11 Kapitel 2 & 3

13. Woche (16. November - 19. November)
Mo  16.11 Kapitel 3
Di    17.11 Kapitel 3
Mi   18.11 Kapitel 3
Do   19.11 Kapitel 3

14. Woche (23. November - 26. November; Thanksgiving Holidays)
Mo 23.11 Start of Review for Finals
Di   24.11 Start of Review for Finals
Mi  25.11 Kapitel 3 Quiz (Take Home)
Do  26.11 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Fri  27.11  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

15. Woche (30. November - 3. Dezember)
Mo 30.11 Course Review
Di    1.12  Course Review
Mi   2.12  Non-Comprehensive FINAL EXAM in STUDENT SERVICES Testing Center, 2nd Floor (7:30am - 8:00pm)
Do   3.12  Non-Comprehensive FINAL EXAM in STUDENT SERVICES Testing Center, 2nd Floor (7:30am - 8:00pm)
Fri   4.12  Semesterende! Fall Semester Ends!

GERMAN 1010 FINAL EXAM in Testing Center, STUDENT SERVICES CENTER. 
The German 1010 NON-COMPREHENSIVE Final Exam available: from WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd 7:30 A.M. through to THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, 8:00 PM (Testing Center doors close promptly at 8:00pm; you can test til 9:00pm).

PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS ELECTING TO TAKE THE FINAL CHAPTER TESTS (EXAM) ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, MUST SEE TO IT THAT THEY ARRIVE AT THE STUDENT SERVICES' TESTING CENTER (NOT SOCIAL SCIENCES) WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO SPARE. ALLOW FOR TIME  TO CHECK IN, IF NECESSARY DUE TO HEAVY TESTING SCHEDULES, WAIT, AND TAKE THE FINAL EXAM. TESTING CENTER DOORS CLOSE AT 8:00PM PROMPTLY. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.

FINAL EXAM WEEK AT WSU: 
Saturday, December 5, 2009 to Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2009: Evening Commencement