TEXTBOOK / SOFTWARE:

REQUIRED:

Sag mal: An Introduction to German Language and Culture, 3rd Edition (2021) (This package contains digital access only.)

Sag mal 3e SuperSite Plus + webSAM (36 months)

ISBN: 9781543316070

Authors: Christine Anton / Tobias Barske

 Or:

Recommended (This package contains a loose-leaf version of the printed textbook.) :

Sag mal 3e SuperSite Plus + webSAM (36 months) + Student Edition (Loose-Leaf)

ISBN: 9781543316063

Authors: Christine Anton / Tobias Barske

These same materials are used for four semesters: GERM 1411, GERM 1412, GERM 2311 and GERM 2312.

GRADING SYSTEM

3 Tests                                     25%

Quizzes                                   15%

Homework                                25%

Writings                                   15%

Final Oral Exam                        20%

Students must receive a grade of C or better in order to continue with German 1412.

GRADE SCALE:

            90 – 100          A

           80 – 89            B

           70 – 79            C

           60 – 69            D

           0 – 59              F

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance

This is an asynchronous course.

Participation

Regular and timely class participation and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Here are more participation guidelines:

·       Students are responsible for preparing the material. Language acquisition is a skill that must be practiced daily. You must maintain an online presence in class to stay up to date.

·       The material to cover in each session is indicated on the calendar, and you must study it to effectively learn German. You can see how being prepared and maintaining an active online presence are closely linked.  If you remain active online, then you will stay current with the material covered.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is April 24, 2023. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Incompletes

If there is a documented extenuating circumstance after the last day to withdraw, then you may be eligible for an incomplete. The student must be in good standing and have a C or higher. The student must consult with the instructor and the final decision will be at the instructor’s discretion. 

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the I is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Homework

Your homework is assigned on SagMal SuperSite. You must complete the assigned workbook exercises for each chapter to earn full credit. All homework is due on the day indicated in your course calendar and in the calendar on the Supersite.  If you submit your homework late, there is 10% penalty for each day.  You have maximum 3 attempts, accents and capitalization must match.

Quizzes

There will be three small quizzes over the course of the semester to check your progress.  These will be assigned on SuperSite. You must take them by the day assigned.  They are available for you to take at 12:00 a.m. the day before they are due.  No late submission.

Writings

Writing tasks are due on the date indicated in the course schedule. They will be assigned on the SuperSite and available at 12:00 a.m. a day before they are due.  No late submission will be accepted.

Using online translation packages (e.g., Google Translate) is not permissible. Unlike dictionaries and grammar references, such programs simply provide ONE translation, rather than allowing you to choose among various words/tenses, etc. to come up with the best word or phrase on your own. Moreover, translation programs very often produce inaccurate, incorrect translations, and are easy to identify. Students will learn far more by doing their own work and will avoid risking serious academic consequences.

Tests

There will be three written tests during the semester:

Test 1 - chapter 1

Test 2 - chapter 2

Test 3 – chapter 3

Each of the written tests will test your listening, reading, writing skills, and grammar.   You will take the tests on the SuperSite. The dates are indicated in the calendar.  They will open at 12:00 a.m. the day before the test is due. There will only be a possibility of a make-up tests due to a very unusual circumstances and only if the instructor is notified before the time of the tests or exam window is open.

Final Oral Exam

More information is in the Module 3.

Extra Credit

You can get maximum of three points extra credit.  The opportunities for extra credit will be announced during the semester.  They may include participating in ACC German Club meetings and other activities announced by the instructor. 

At the end of one semester of GERM 1411, students should be able to do the following:

READING

use reading strategies such as reading for the main idea, recognizing cognates, and using context, sequence of events, prefixes and familiar words to guess.

understand the main idea and some detail when reading a text based largely on familiar material.

recognize the main topic of an authentic text or one not primarily based on familiar material.

LISTENING

demonstrate comprehension of simple questions based on familiar topics.

use listening strategies such as listening for the main idea and for specific details and asking for clarification or repetition.

understand the main idea and some detail when listening to a passage based largely on familiar material.

recognize the main topic of an authentic text or one not primarily based on familiar material.

follow simple classroom instructions.

WRITING

ask and answer simple questions based on familiar topics with reasonably accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation.

write lists and provide personal information including name, address, email address and phone number.

compose a short text about themselves and formulate personal questions about another person with reasonably accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation.

write a letter in which they describe their/a family.

spell numbers 0 to 1 million.

take dictation of familiar material.

SPEAKING

answer questions on familiar topics with comprehensible grammar and pronunciation.

initiate and maintain a short conversation with someone.

perform these specific functions: introduce themselves and tell a little about themselves;  identify and briefly describe people and objects;  tell what they like to do and tell what they do; tell the day and time; invite someone to do something and make plans; describe their family; talk about what they are going to do next week.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

exhibit conceptual understanding and partial control of the use of du and Sie.

use basic courtesy expressions and appropriate kinesics.

identify several German-speaking countries and locate them on the map.

describe the German school system.

convert from official time to conversational time.

read German addresses and phone numbers.

identify several important landmarks in Berlin and explain their historical importance.

cite regional differences in cultural traditions and common expressions in the German-speaking world.

Discipline-Level Learning Outcomes for German:

At the end of the fourth semester of German, students should be able to:

Read intermediate level texts and brief literary texts with reasonable comprehension

Comprehend familiar materials

Use strategies to fill in the gaps of imperfect comprehension

Extract information from authentic materials on familiar topics

Comprehend oral instructions, questions etc.

Converse on familiar topics

Express abilities, likes, intentions, talents, and desires in the present and past

Express permission or obligation

Talk about the past and a sequence of events in the past

Talk about directions and locations

Talk about what will happen

Make hypothetical statements

Use reflexive verbs and pronouns

Describe people and things using relative clauses

Use infinitive clauses to state goals and intentions

Focus on the effect of the action and on events in the past

Use correct word order

Write compositions on familiar topics

Continue developing awareness of the culture of the target language

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR DEUTSCH  1411

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be posted as a Blackboard Announcement.