GERMAN 1 .2 - Intensive Elementary German I
Fall 2009
Meeting times: ~ MW 3:40 -5:20 p.m.
Room 403 Whitehead
Instructor: John Beatty
Office 201 WEB
Email: Profbeatty@hotmail.com
Department Office Tel. 718.951.5451 or 5664
Office Hours 5:20-6:00 MW and by appointment
COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES.
Course Description I Learning Objectives
This is the first course in a two-semester intensive, introductory sequence of German. No prior knowledge of German is required. We will work on basic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing German as well as learning more about the cultures of German-speaking countries.
By the end of this semester you should be able to communicate orally and in writing in very basic German, i.e., ask and answer questions about yourself, family and friends (appearance, characteristics, interests, hobbies, etc.). You should be able in very basic terms-to describe and talk about a variety of situations and experiences in your life. You should also be able to read and talk about a variety of German texts. In addition, you are expected to have some understanding of the geography and culture of the German-speaking countries.
Achieving these goals requires regular practice with the language as well as a certain degree of willingness to experiment with new sounds, words and grammar. You should also be willing to participate in paired and group activities in the classroom. This is an intensive course and we will cover chapters Einführung A through Kapitel 5 in the above textbook. You will also receive homework assignments for each class meeting.
ALWAYS bring your textbook to class.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
You will need two books for this course: the textbook (which we will use in class) and the workbook (for homework assignments). The books are available in the Brooklyn College bookstore.
The textbook for the course is Kontakte: A Communicative Approach (5th edition) by Terrell, Tschirner, Nikolai, published by McGraw-Hill, and the workbook for it. The textbook is available in a hardcover version only. The workbook is available either in a print version or an online (Quia) version; you may use either version of the workbook. Below are the ISBN numbers for the textbook and the different versions of the workbook.
Textbook + workbook package:
• Kontakte Quia package (textbook + online Arbeitsbuch): ISBN 007-343481-7
• Kontakte Print package (textbook + print Arbeitsbuch): ISBN 007-423661 -x
Textbook only:
Kontakte textbook only: ISBN 007-295643-7 workbook only:
• Kontakte Arbeitsbuch (Quia) online version: ISBN 007-326838-0
• Kontakte Arbeitsbuch Print version: ISBN 007-287977-7
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Portions of this course will require use of the Web and Internet tools (email etc.)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
You will receive a schedule with your homework assignments and the due dates for it. Homework is due on the date indicated in the schedule. You will not receive credit for late homework. The printed workbook has an answer key to most assignments in the back; the online workbook has a feature for giving the correct answers as well. Homework will be graded based on the following criteria:
QUIZZES AND EXAMS
There will be five quizzes and a final examination. The general material to be covered in the quizzes and the final exam will be announced in class. The quizzes will focus on the material covered since the previous quiz. The final exam is comprehensive. Quizzes and exams are graded on a scale.
The dates for the quizzes (approx. 30 minutes) are in the schedule. The date for the final exam is set by the administration for Wed., December 16, 10:30 a.m. - 12:3:0 p.m.
The average of four quizzes will count towards the course grade, i.e. you may miss one quiz without any penalty, or-if you take all five quizzes-the quiz with the lowest grade will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes.
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES
Regular attendance and active participation are important components when learning a language. You are expected to participate actively in class, incl. in group and paired activities. Attendance will be taken at all meetings; the participation in class will be evaluated and will form part of the term grade. (State law regulates non-attendance because of religious beliefs; see p.53 in the bulletin.)
If you miss more than 4 class meetings, your attendance term grade will be reduced by 4 percentage points for each class meeting missed. You cannot pass the course if you miss 15 or more class meetings.
CELLULAR PHONES / PDAs
Please turn off your cell phone or PDA before coming to class. A ringing phone is disruptive in class. If you make or take a phone call, you will be asked to leave the room. No cell ~hones or similar devices will be allowed on desks during quizzes or exams.
UNIVERSITY’S POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating 'and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site: http:I/www.brooklyn.cuny.edulbc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.
COURSE GRADE