Intermediate German

Course Details

Course Number: GERM 2233 Section Number: 201

Spring 2011

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 203

Days & Times:

MWF 11:00 - 11:50 am

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Friederike Wiedemann
view Profile »

Course Objectives

For all of us to work hard (and have a little fun). At the end of this course, you will be able to converse, write, and read about a large group of topics using a small but useful vocabulary. The more adventurous and imaginative you are, the more you will be able to do. You will be familiar with all grammatical rules in German that are needed in daily conversation; and if your grasp of English grammar should improve during the course, don’t be surprised.

Course Expectations

Grading: your final grade depends on your performance during the entire term. Oral as well as written work is taken into consideration.

If I feel the need, i.e., when you do not do your homework well enough for us to continue, I will give unannounced short quizzes.

There will be a written test each time we have covered enough material to warrant taking the time. Tests will always be announced and prepared in class. There will be no special mid-term examination. At this time, I plan on the following tests

February 16 Chapter 12, Deutsch Heute

March 2, Allerlei zum Lesen: Türken pflanzen nur Bohnen

March 30 Allerlei zum Lesen: Verfahren

April 27 Allerlei zum Lesen: Die drei dunklen Könige

The final test will cover everything we have learned in the course of the term.

There will be no make-up tests except for utterly extraordinary circumstances. I will decide whether circumstances are “utterly extraordinary.”

Grading Standards

Grades depend on the percentage of correct responses. A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%.

The course grade depends on your oral work, which includes participation (1/7); quizzes (another 1/7); the written tests (2/7, and the final (3/7). If it turns out that you are very close to the next higher grade, I reserve the right to give you the higher grade under the condition that your work during the semester provides me with a good reason for it.

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

I expect you to be present at every class meeting. Unless you are so proficient that you don’t need the course to begin with, you will not be able to earn an acceptable grade without attending. If you have to be absent, I expect you to inform me as soon as you learn of the necessity. If you miss more than five meetings, you will receive an F in the course even if your performance should be excellent - - the possibility of which I would doubt.

Other Policies

While it is obvious that you need to be in class if you intend to get any benefit out of your attendance at Midwestern, it is obvious as well that there are times when you do well not to attend. I would like to encourage you not to risk life and limb to come to campus in bad weather. You are the one to decide if the weather is bad enough for you to stay home. You are responsible for your learning. I am confident that you will use this policy in a responsible manner.

Whenever classes are canceled, MSU will inform TV and radio stations and put a message on the web.

Since many of you live in residence halls, the University will never close altogether but will provide all services to the extent possible.

Finally, if you have now or develop during the semester a physical or a learning disability and you want your instructors to make reasonable accommodations, you must see the Counseling Center and provide appropriate documentation unless you have done so in the past. The Center will inform all of your instructors each semester you attend MSU unless you ask in writing not to do so.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.