GER 1001:  Introductory German, 4 credits

Professor Wickert

TF 9:20-10:45 + W 12:10-1:00

 

This is the first semester of a year long course providing students with an introduction to the German language.   Emphasis will be on accurate communicative ability, supported by knowledge of grammatical structures and by cultural awareness.  By the end of the year, successful students will have gained the following proficiencies:

 

In speaking:

• Accurate pronunciation of all sounds of German;
• Expression of ideas using the vocabulary of the text in simple sentences in the present, perfect and future tenses;
• Control of word order in main clauses, as well as short subordinate clauses.

 

In listening:

• Accurate recognition of all sounds of German;
• Comprehension of ideas expressed through the vocabulary and grammatical structures of the text.

 

In reading:

• Understanding of simple German prose on non-technical subjects;
• Intelligent guessing of unfamiliar vocabulary using context clues.

 

In writing:

• Ability to write (in class and without a dictionary) a paragraph in German about a familiar topic so that it is comprehensible to a native speaker;
• Ability to write (outside of class) a longer paragraph on a familiar topic without any substantial errors.

 

In culture:

• Elementary knowledge of important aspects of everyday culture in the German-speaking countries (e.g., climate and geography, family life, schooling and university, jobs, urban life), and awareness of the major differences and similarities between German and North American culture;
• Elementary knowledge of some of the important issues in contemporary German life, such as problems with the integration of the former East Germany, coming to terms with the National Socialist past, cultural diversity, the environment and women’s roles in family and society.

 

The class meets three times a week, with one class usually reserved for oral practice.  Students complete “lab” work on their own [a CD audio program comes with the text and is linked to the Workbook].  Audio work must be completed and workbook pages submitted by the class immediately following the chapter covered.  In addition, students will have regular homework assignments, including the mastery of specific vocabulary.  Students are expected to preview (i.e. read through) the upcoming chapter beforehand.  A video series is also linked to the text; we will see most of these short episodes in class, but students are encouraged to see them again on their own (the video will be on reserve at the Library Circulation desk).  

 

Students are encouraged to use the self-correcting online testing program available on the publisher’s website.  To access, go to:   http://college.hmco.com type in <neue horizonte> into the Jump box, select Introductory German books, then click on the Neue Horizonte, 6^th edition text, then the ACE Testing Program in the left hand toolbar.  

 

 

Required materials (available in Mville Bookstore):

• Dollenmayer/Hansen: Neue Horizonte, 6^th edition
• Dollenmayer/Hansen:  Workbook for Neue Horizonte, 6^th edition

 

 

Recommended materials (available in Mville Bookstore):

• English Grammar for Students of German

 

 

Requirements and Grading

·        Attendance, careful preparation for and active participation in class are very important and count 40% of the final grade.  Absences beyond three will automatically lower this attendance/participation grade. 

·        There will be regular quizzes (at least one per chapter covered).  Grades will be averaged together and count 30%.  One (the lowest) quiz grade may be dropped. 

·        A final exam, given at the end of exam week, will comprise the final 30% of the grade. 

 

 

SYLLABUS

 

                                                

                       

 

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