Elementary German

Course Details

Course Number: GERM 1134  Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 177

Days & Times:

MTRF 3:00 - 3:50 PM

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Deutsch heute
this is an introductory text
  ISBN: 978-0-547-18058-8

accompanying Student Activities Manual
MSU Faculty Member
Friederike Wiedemann   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

 

The main objective of the course is to provide you with a basic understanding of the German language and culture.

At the end of the course you should be able to converse, write, and read about a select group of topics using a small but essential vocabulary base. The more adventurous and imaginative you are, the more your ability to use the language will increase. Moreover, your grasp of English grammar might improve.

You will be trained to properly pronounce German words and sentences as we go through each chapter. Please do not feel intimidated if I correct you. Pronunciation is a crucial part of every language and can be hard to fix once learned incorrectly.


Course Expectations

This course is intended for students who have no, or very little, previous instruction in the German language.


Submission Format Policy

N/A



Note: 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 attend all classes of this course. Each class will run as scheduled. Therefore, you are not to walk in and out of the classroom during the course hours except for an emergency. 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 classes without prior consent (unless it is a case of an emergency and you couldn’t reasonably be expected to inform me beforehand), you will be dropped from the class with a grade of an “F” even if your performance was excellent.

                There will be regular laboratory sessions that will be announced during the course.


Other Policies

 

Your final grade depends on your performance during the entire term. This class will involve actively speaking the language; you must understand that class participation will be an important part of your grade. I encourage you to participate and ask questions from the start of this course. I cannot teach you to the best of my ability unless you let me know when you need assistance. There are no stupid questions!

 Quizzes will be given on a regular basis in forms of exercises or vocabulary tests. While most of the quizzes will be announced, some of them may be unannounced.

There will be a written test each time we finish a unit. Tests will always be announced and the content outlined in class. There will be no mid-term examination.

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

Grades will be given on the following scale:

Participation                            15 %

Quizzes                                    15 %

Test # 1                                    10 %

Test # 2                                    10 %

Test # 3                                   10 %

Test # 4                                   10

Final Exam                              30 %

Total                                        100 %

Grades depend on the percentage of correct responses.

A                                             90 % – 100 %

B                                              80 % - 89 %

C                                              70 % - 79 %

D                                             60 % - 69 %

F                                              Bellow 60 %


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.