Ger 211 |
| Intermediate German I |
| University of St. thomas |
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Professor: Dr. Paul A. Schons |
Texts: Wie geht's? (the same text as used in Ger 112). Deutsch im 3. Semester
This is an electronic textbook. There are texts and sound files at the link
above. You will need a sound player to listen to the sound files. The computers
in the learning center of OEC and in some other computer labs on campus have
the sound player installed. The sound files are in mp3 format. They may also
be downloaded to an iPOD or similar player. Other materials to be distributed
by the instructor
Class meetings:
Section 01.....9:35 - 10:40 MWF in room 319 OEC
Section 02.....12:15 - 1:20 MWF in room 319 OEC
Office Hours: Online schedule
Tests: There will be a quiz given daily during the last 10 minutes of class. The quiz will contain 5 sentences, each counting 2 pts.which you will translate either from German to English or from English to German. There will be no mid-term nor final exam. At the end of each half of the semester the lowest 2 quiz grades for that half semester will be dropped and the remaining average will be the grade for that half semester. Tests missed will be graded as F. Make-up tests are given only for serious illness or family emergency.
Prerequisite: Placement into this level by department examination or C- or better in Germ 112 is required in order to take this class. To progress on to the next level in the language and culture core requirement, or to progress further in the major/minor you must obtain a minimum grade of C- in this class .
Absence Policy: You are encouraged to be present for all
class meetings. Assuming that learning is your objective, your
objective will be best met by attending class and participating
actively. There is no penalty for absence per se, but note above
that missed tests will be graded as F and have a negative effect
on your final grade.
Tutors: Native German tutors will be available throughout
the semester to assist you in study, as needed. The office number
and hours will be announced in class early in the semester.
Learning objectives: Vocabulary development, development
of reading skills, development of understanding of spoken
German,development of speaking ability, grammar review, survey of
German culture, introduction to German literature of the 20th
century.
Personal considerations: Learning German should be a
pleasure rather than drudgery. Indeed this course will require
effort on your part. Especially in the early weeks, you will need
to spend significant time in looking up words in a dictionary and
will need to concentrate to understand spoken German and express
yourself in German, but with each passing day, as you continue to
develop the skills of learning language and build on what you
already know, the process will become more and more natural and
less of a conscious effort. As in the development of any skill,be
it athletic or intellectual, with increasing mastery, there is
increasing pleasure in the exercise and development of your
skills. Relax, enjoy your new skills as they develop. The
instructor seriously wishes this course to be pleasant and a
fulfilling experience for you and will do all he can to make the
experience of language learning pleasant and rewarding for you.As
you have ideas which might make the course more interesting or
make learning easier or more meaningful for you, please do not
hesitate to discuss your ideas with the instructor. If there are
ways to accommodate your ideas to the academic objectives of the
course and the needs of the other students, the instructor will
be happy to make adjustments as the course progresses. If you
would like to discuss the role of German within the framework of
your objectives for the future and your career and personal
plans, the instructor will be happy to discuss this with
you,share ideas with you and help you design and integrate your
learning experiences into your plans for the future.
Students with disabilities:
Qualified students with documented disabilities who may need classroom accommodations should make an appointment with the Enhancement Program – Disability Services office during the first two weeks of the term. Telephone appointments are available to students as needed. Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or 800-328-6819, extension 6315.You may also make an appointment in person in O’Shaughnessy Educational Center, room 119. For further information, you can locate the Enhancement Program on the web at http://www.stthomas.edu/enhancementprog/.
Classroom accommodations will be provided for qualified students with documented
disabilities. Students are invited to contact the Enhancement Program –
Disability Services about accommodations for this course within the first two
weeks of the term. Telephone appointments are available to students as needed.
Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or 800-328-6819, extension
6315. You may also make an appointment in person in O’Shaughnessy Educational
Center, room 119. For further information, you can locate the Enhancement Program
on the web at http://www.stthomas.edu/enhancementprog/.
In compliance with the University of St. Thomas policy and disability laws,
I am available to discuss academic accommodations that you may require as a
student with a disability. Students are encouraged to register with the Enhancement
Program-Disability Services office for disability verification and for determination
of academic accommodations. Please do so within the first two weeks of the term.
Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or 800-328-6819, extension
6315. Telephone appointments are available as needed. You may also make an appointment
in O’Shaughnessy Educational Center, room 119. For further information,
you can locate the Enhancement Program on the web at http://www.stthomas.edu/enhancementprog/.
___________________________
The University of St. Thomas is committed to a healthy campus community. During the 2009-2010 academic year, there will be ongoing concerns regarding the prevalence among university faculty, staff and students of both the H1N1 virus and seasonal influenza. To help limit the spread of these illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control has provided college campuses the following recommendation: students, faculty or staff with influenza like illnesses (temperature of 100.0 or greater, plus a cough or sore throat) are directed to self-isolate (or stay home) for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. In the event that students are unable to attend classes due to this self-isolation recommendation, they should consult the university's pandemic web site http:www.stthomas.edu/pandemic/plan/default.html and complete an on-line form informing professors of their absence. In accordance, faculty will provide opportunities for these students to participate in alternative educational delivery due to this illness.
Links for Ger 211 students:
Grammar overview
Electronic German-English/English German
Dictionary
Alta Vista's text translator
(Be careful with this. It can be useful, but makes a lot of computer type mistakes.)
Essays on various German topics
Slide shows (with sound) on German topics
Maps
Map of Germany
Map of Switzerland
Map of Austria
