Meetings & Instructor
Kurssitzungen (Class Sessions)
Veranstaltungsort (Location): Detchon 211
montags, mittwochs und freitags 14.15-15.05
Dr. Jacob van der Kolk
vanderkj@wabash.edu
Büro: Detchon 201
Sprechstunden (Office Hours) durch Zoom
montags und mittwochs 15.20-17.40
dienstags und donnerstags 13.10-15.45
und nach Vereinbarung (and by appointment)
Course Description and Objectives
This course will develop your command of the language by teaching you how to use what you have learned in previous semesters. We will build on your reading, interpretative, writing, and speaking skills, as well as your knowledge of 20th Century German culture by reading, discussing, and writing about four German youth and young adult novels set in different historical periods. This course will help you develop reading, writing, lexical, and discursive tactics that you already use in your first language(s), and will review structures with an eye toward improving your use of those structures. In sum, this course will aim to make you a more nuanced German speaker capable of engaging in a wider variety of complex contexts and genres.
You will engage with the material by keeping a reflective reading journal (das Journal—see below) that will help determine class discussions and lectures, provide content for our periodic quizzes, and facilitate your writing of two formal essays. We will learn grammar and vocabulary according to demonstrated needs, while we will give special focus on developing heuristic skills that make reading and writing more effective and easier. Class discussions will occur in German.
Learning Objectives
- will expand their active vocabulary to better express personal meaning with more nuance and complexity in a variety of contexts and writing genres.
- will be able to employ previously-learned grammatical structures accurately in speaking and writing.
- will be able to read, derive meaning from, interpret, and evaluate longer, more challenging texts.
- will become more competent and confident speakers and writers of German, typically at an intermediate-high to advanced-low level.
- explore an array of cultural topics that will deepen their understanding of German, Swiss, and Austrian culture.
Delivery Methods
Our class will meet in a hyflex fashion with staggered attendance. This means:
- Every class session will meet simultaneously in-person and distantly via teleconference.
- Shifts. Different sets of students will attend in-person on certain days, so that we never have more than half of the class in our space at one time.
- Unable to attend your scheduled in-person session(s)? You may attend those sessions distantly.
- Unable to attend a session either in person or through Zoom? You can do a set of make-up activities detailed below under "Participation".
- In-person classes be suspended college-wide? Nothing will change except that we will all meet distantly.
- You will observe social distancing and wear a mask in this course.
- If you feel sick with any COVID-19 symptom, let me know, stay home, and participate through video conference.
- Each session, you will have (a) partner(s) from the other shift. You will communicate through voice messaging, so have a phone or similar device for every session.
Course Materials
If you decide to purchase any of these texts from a source other than our bookstore, make sure that you get exactly these versions, that is, make sure that their ISBN matches. Do not get Easy Reader editions.
- Erich Kästner, Emil und die Detektive (Cecilie Dressler) [ISBN: 3-7915-3012-7]
- Klaus Kordon, Die Flaschenpost (Beltz & Gelberg) [ISBN: 3-407-78378-7]
- Frank E. Donahue, Deutsche Wiederholungsgrammatik: Morpho-Syntactic Review of German (Yale UP) [ISBN: 0-300-12468-6]
- A laptop or tablet with which you can access Google Drive during class.
- A phone with which you can use for partner work with someone not in class with you.
Grading and Assignments
Grading Scale
A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D |
93,33-100% | 90-93,32% | 86,67-89,99% | 83,33-86,66% | 80-83,32% | 76,67-79,99% | 73,33-76,66% | 70-73,32% | 60-69,99% |
Participation (die Beteiligung, 20%)
For each class period, you will be assessed on your participation. Your final grade in this criterion will be the percentage share of sessions for which you have full credit, e.g. if you are absent or talk too much in English and don't make up 6 classes and/or labs out of our total 55, you will get an 89%.
- Presence. You are in the meeting, either in-person or distantly, for the entire session. You are no more than 5 minutes late.
- Absence Policy. If you happen to miss attending a session either in person or distantly, you can do all of the following to get full credit with 48 hours of your missed session:
- watch the video recording of the session
- send Dr. van der Kolk an email in which you
- summarize what happened in the session
- complete all in-class assignments and prompts
- complete that day's homework as usual
- complete that day's optional homework (underneath the normal assignment, i.e. the Cultural Enrichment activity) OR complete 0.4 credits of "Cultural Enrichment" work (but not for credit as such)
- Absence Policy. If you happen to miss attending a session either in person or distantly, you can do all of the following to get full credit with 48 hours of your missed session:
- Engagement. You involve yourself in the meeting, including group and whole-class activities, and make a good-faith effort to express yourself in German. You are not expected to speak perfectly, just to try your best as often as you can with the language you have learned! If you are in a distant session, you have your video on (but stay muted unless you are speaking).
Linguistic Correctness.You are not expected to speak perfectly, just to try your best as often as you can with the language you have learned!
- Preparation. You come to class ready and willing to practice the vocabulary, grammar, and topics touched on in your homework and previous class sessions. You bring all necessary materials (books, worksheets, notes, etc.) at hand.
- Cooperation. You support and encourage your fellow students in your common effort to learn the language.
- Attentiveness. You pay attention and avoid distractions, e.g. you keep your phone away unless required for a class activity.
Journal (das Journal, 20%)
Prior to each class day, you will write a Journal dealing with the grammar homework or responding to this course's viewings and readings. Your daily contribution helps shape class discussions, identify problematic grammar and vocabulary, and develop ideas for your essays. Your overall grade will be the percentage of assignments passed.
- On Time. You submit your daily entry by 11:00 am on the day of class.
- In German. Unless stated otherwise, you write your journal entry completely in German.
- Completion. You include all necessary parts as listed in the directions in Canvas.
- Good-faith effort. You you put a genuine effort into this assignment, and it reflects a genuine effort on your part to engage with the reading and develop your ideas. Think of this as practice for your essay writing!
Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes (Lernkontrollen, 5%)
Every three weeks, you will have a quick, open-book quiz through Canvas reviewing the grammar and vocabulary over the last three weeks. You will take it through Canvas. You must get all questions right to get a passing grade (all or nothing), but you will have multiple opportunities to re-attempt the quiz.
Presentations (die Referate, 10%)
You will lead the beginning of at least two class discussions. You will present once on Emil und die Detektive and once on Die Flaschenpost, and will discuss specific text or topic of the day you present.
Essays (die Aufsätze, 40% total, 15% for the first essay and 25% for the second)
You will write two short essays during the course, each focusing on a theme from our readings. You will submit your drafts through Google Drive.
- Vorschau, completion counts as 5% of essay grade. You must complete in good faith and on time a short Vorschau (Preview). You will propose and sketch out a topic in German in the form of a Thesenpapier (an outline that uses complete sentences in German instead of just key words). A Fortgeschrittenes Referat can be substituted for this.
- Halbe Fassung, completion counts as 5% of essay grade. You must complete in good-faith and on time a Halbe Fassung (Half Draft), where you will present at least half of your essay, to which your peers and I will give you feedback relating to content, stylistics, and mechanics.
- Volle Fassung, 90% of essay grade. You provide a Volle Fassung (Full Draft), which will represent your best effort at a polished formal essay, and will be graded for substance, effective communication, and demonstration of progress in learning mechanics and vocabulary that we have been learning in the course.
- Korrekturen. If needed, you will revise your Volle Fassung to resolve its issues.
- You are allowed to submit as many Korrekturen as you want before the provided due date.
- Your final grade for the 90% of the Volle Fassung will be determined by the quality of the last draft you submit by the due date. You can effectively determine your own grade by turning in as many drafts as you need.
Cultural Enrichment (5%)
Over the semester, you will participate in a certain number of cultural enrichment activities related to German-speaking culture outside of class, like watching a movie or attending a German Club meeting. See this list for possible activities.
You will submit a short report on the activity (in German). The number of necessary activities will depend on the amount of effort required, as well as when you submit your report (submissions in November count less than those in August).
How to Succeed
Try the following to make your experience in this course worthwhile and less stressful:
- Get your money's worth:
- Use virtual office hours. Email me to make an appointment, or feel free to "stop by" with questions! Don't suffer from FMOOWMP! →
- Speak lots! Make lots of mistakes! We use much of our class time discussing topics in German. I expect (and want!) you to make mistakes as you try out new ideas, vocabulary, and grammar. This shows me how you've been learning.
- Ask questions! When you’re lost or confused, or have a question in class, someone else probably has the same one (and they’ll be glad you asked).
- Get help when you need it. If you feel overwhelmed or just don't understand something, get help NOW. This will save you aggravation and extra work further down the line. E-mail me, or come to my office hours.
- Keep up. We move fast, and everything we learn in this course builds on what we previously have learned. Students fail language courses most often because they fall behind. Make sure to:
- Show up. Missing one or (even worse) multiple sessions will not only hurt your participation grade, it will make each following session that much harder. Make things easier on yourself!
- Complete all assignments on time. Missing a day's worth of homework won't just cost you points, it will leave you unprepared for the next day's lesson and the next assignment.
- Learn smarter, not longer. Expect to put in up to (but not more than) 2 hours of work outside of class for each hour of class. However, note that studies show that people retain knowledge better when they learn small amounts at a time and review repeatedly. With a little foresight and planning, you can save time and frustration if you:
- Build a routine. Set aside a few times each day to get one assignment done.
- Study opportunistically. Use time that you might waste (e.g. standing in a long line, eating by yourself, waiting for class to start) practicing vocabulary or some other small task instead of viewing cat photos on your phone.
- Study moderate amounts every day. You can’t learn a language by cramming. You need to build your long-term memory. Instead of doing all your homework right before it is due or memorizing the vocabulary the night before a test, do a moderate amount every day and give yourself time to review your work.
- Take breaks. If you do all your coursework in one big sitting, you may not be giving yourself time to let things "sink in." Don’t work for more than an hour without taking some sort of a break.
- If you get stuck, revisit later. If a particular lesson or exercise frustrates you, put it aside, move on to the next item, and let your brain reset. It may make sense later.
- If you need more than 6 hours/week to keep up, or just feel overwhelmed, get help! Come and see me in my office hours, so that we can hash out methods that will work specifically for you.
- Find study partners. Get to know your classmates and form groups in which you can collaborate on day-to-day assignments, and study for tests. But make sure you still do your own work!
- Know your basics. Focus on learning the fundamentals rather than trying to directly "copy" over from English. It took you decades to be able to sophisticatedly enunciate complex ideas in your first language(s). Rather than attempting to directly replicate this sophistication, aim instead at expressing ideas by creatively using the basics we learn here.
- Vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary! Having the words in your head makes comprehension and production easier and faster. Learn a few words every day. Use old-fashioned paper flash cards or whatever works for you!
- Make learning fun! Language learning need not be serious or dull! Make class fun and welcoming for yourself and your classmates by participating in lighthearted yet respectful ways. Join the German club!
- Celebrate your progress! When you get frustrated in this course, remember that you are doing something amazing: Over the next 15 weeks you will become capable of sophisticatedly interpretating, discussing, and writing about texts in a foreign language, something that you only recently achieved in your first language not to long ago!
Class Etiquette and Course Policies
In the Classroom
I want our class to be a respectful environment, where all students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. Please let me know if anything in class (or outside of class) makes you feel uncomfortable. I’m happy to meet with you at any point in the semester to discuss individual course performance. I look forward to a fun and productive class with you!
- Please check your Wabash College email frequently as I use email for class communication.
- Pronouns and Preferred Names. Please let me know as soon as possible if you have a preferred name that differs from your legal name listed in the College’s records, or if you have specific pronouns that you would prefer I and others use in reference to you.
Academic Integrity
Acceptable. DO THIS! | Unacceptable. DON'T DO THIS! |
Adapt an expression you saw in Donahue, Emil, or Flaschenpost for your own work. | Copy out whole sentences from another source and claim it as your own work. |
Ask someone to underline, but not correct, the mistakes in your essay. | Have a native speaker, friend, peer, or your mom provide corrections to your essay (effectively re-writing it for you). |
Look up words from our class vocabulary lists or the textbook. | Use an online translator to translate a sentence or paragraph.* |
Use an outside source with a citation. | Use outside sources without citing. |
Check your assignment submission with the provided answer key after completing the assignment. | Copy answers straight off of the answer key and submit them as your own. |
Work with a classmate or study group on daily assignments (not essays), and acknowledging when you do so. | Have a classmate do your assignment, or work with a group without acknowledging you did so. |
Checking your textbook and your notes to make sure your grammar is correct. | Using an automated grammar checker (like Grammarly) to revise your mistakes. |
Use the expressions and grammar you have learned the best you can on an essay. | Use on an essay grammar and vocabulary that you can't consistently reproduce (I will assume that you got them from illicit sources). |
English: Dear Fruit Syrup: I'm passing by the category today.†
The Gentleman's Rule
As with all other facets of Wabash life, the Gentleman's Rule applies to your interactions with me and your colleagues inside and outside the classroom, as well as to the completion of all academic requirements of the course. Except for leading an article discussion and data collection for the minilabs, all assignments and exams are to be completed independently, with no assistance from other people or other students’ work. Remember the Wabash mission statement: “Wabash College educates men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely." Acting responsibly includes not cheating. If there are any questions about how the standards of academic integrity apply to a specific assignment or test, please do not hesitate to talk with me for clarification before handing in the assignment. Uncertainty about the application of these principles will not excuse a violation. Remember that you can be expelled for academic dishonesty!
The general principle is that you should always submit work that is entirely your own. Here are some specific examples of academic dishonesty:
- Copying another student's exam or assignment – either a current or past student.
- Collaborating with another student on your term paper, article discussion summary, or minilab writeup.
- Using another student's notes for your article discussion summary.
- Copying any text from the internet (or other resource) on an assignment.
- Paraphrasing any text from any resource without providing a reference.
- Extensive paraphrasing of text from any resource even when providing a reference.
- Turning in the same assignment to multiple courses, in the same or different semesters, without prior consent from both professors.
- Taking another student’s graded assignment without his permission.
This is not an exhaustive list of violations. If you have a question, ask before you turn in the assignment.
If I find out that you have cheated on an assignment, you will receive ZERO points for that assignment, and I will turn you into the Dean for an academic dishonesty strike.
Accommodations
Students who need accommodations (e.g. extra time for exams, separate testing room) are asked to arrange a meeting during office hours or by appointment the first week of class, or as soon as possible if accommodations are needed immediately. Accommodations will not be granted unless appropriate documentation is on file with Heather Thrush, Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success.
Students with disabilities (apparent or invisible) are invited to confidentially discuss their situation with the disability coordinator, Heather Thrush, Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success. If a student wishes to receive an academic accommodation, it is required that his documentation of the disability be on file with Dean Thrush, who can, in confidence, provide information and guidance. Early notification helps us all work together in the most effective ways. To make an appointment with Dean Thrush call (x6347), or email. Appointments will be available via Zoom or outside with masks and social distancing.
The Office of Student Enrichment
Succeeding at Wabash College takes a great deal of effort and planning. Life is complex, assignments are time consuming, and staying involved keeps you running. When you have questions about how to make everything fit into your schedule, how to study more efficiently, how to take better notes, or any other question about developing your college skills, visit the Office of Student Enrichment (OSE).
Go here and follow the “Make an Appointment” link to arrange a one-on-one, personalized meeting with Dr. Koppelmann. No matter your questions, Dr. Koppelmann will work with you to find a solution that helps you achieve your goals.
All appointments will be online, and you will need to download Microsoft Teams.
Counseling Center
Located in the lower level of the Chapel
Website: www.wabash.edu/studentlife/counseling
Email: counseling@wabash.edu
Phone: 765-361-5592
Staff:
Jamie Sweet Douglas, LMHC LCAC LMFTA
Licensed Mental Health, Clinical Addictions and Marriage and Family Therapist
Counseling Center Director
Email: douglasj@wabash.edu
Phone: 765-361-5592
Laura Dolph, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Email: dolphl@wabash.edu
Phone: 765-361-6252
- Counseling is available at no additional charge to students, their dependents, and the college TAs. There are no session limits.
- Counseling sessions are by appointment only and can be made by sending an email to counseling@wabash.edu. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, counseling sessions for the Fall 2020 Semester will be conducted via Zoom for Healthcare, a HIPAA-compliant platform. We will not be taking walk-in appointments.
- We encourage students to be pro-active regarding their mental health by reaching out to the counseling center when experiencing symptoms that do not appear to be resolving within a week or so of their onset or are worsening.
- The Wabash College Counseling Center aims to promote mental wellness through brief, therapeutic interventions and support as well as continued care for more chronic mental health conditions.
- When a student makes an appointment with the counseling center, we will assess, triage, and work with the student to develop a treatment plan and brief therapy to address the presenting issue and improve functioning.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911
For non-life-threatening concerns after hours call security at: 765-361-6000
Strong Men Seek Support
Semester Schedule
This outline contains all major assignments such as tests and essays. It is, however, subject to change at my discretion. For daily homework, see the detailed plan online on Canvas.
montags: Themen (Interpretation und die Geschichte) | mittwochs: Mechanik (Grammatik und Wortschatz) | freitags: Strategien (Lesen und Schreiben) |
1. Woche | ||
Before coming to your first class Introduction (Watch this video!); Syllabus Quiz |
Mittwoch, 12. August Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 1 (Präsens) |
Freitag, 14. August Shift B Lesestrategie: Paratexte, Kontext des Lesens |
2. Woche | ||
Montag, 17. August Shift A Emil und die Detektive, Kapitel 1 und 2 Thema: Die Weimarer Republik |
Mittwoch, 19. August Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 2-3 (Vergangenheitsverbformen) |
Freitag, 21. August Shift A Lesestrategie: Vorheriges Wissen (Gattung, Genre und Geschichte) |
3. Woche | ||
Montag, 24. August Shift B Emil und die Detektive, Kapitel 3, 5 und 6 Thema: Urbanisierung in Deutschland, die Geographie Berlins |
Mittwoch, 26. August Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 4-6 (Futur, Imperativ, untrennbare Verben) |
Freitag, 28. August Shift B Lesetrategie: Robert's Buferandi |
bis Sonntag, 30. August um 23:59: 1. Lernkontrolle (durch Canvas) | ||
4. Woche | ||
Montag, 31. August Shift A Emil und die Detektive, Kapitel 7-10 Thema: Verbrechen und Komplotte! |
Mittwoch, 2. September Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 7-8 (trennbare Verben, Modalverben) |
Freitag, 4. September Shift A Lesetrategie: Kognaten, Komposita und verwandte Wörter |
5. Woche | ||
Montag, 7. September Shift B Emil und die Detektive, Kapitel 11-14 Thema: Flappers, Wildfänge und Gender |
Mittwoch, 9. September Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 9-10 (Substantive, Kasus, Artikel, ein- und der-Wörter) |
Freitag, 11. September Shift B Schreibstrategie: der Schreibprozess, Gedanken organisieren |
6. Woche | ||
Montag, 14. September Shift A Emil und die Detektive, Kapitel 16-18 Thema: Gibt es hier eine Lehre? Vorschau vom 1. Aufsatz fällig |
Mittwoch, 16. September Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 11 (Adjektivendungen) |
Freitag, 18. September Shift A Schreibstrategie: Ideen (statt Wörter) übersetzen Halbe Fassung vom 1. Aufsatz fällig |
bis Sonntag, 20. September um 23:59: 2. Lernkontrolle (durch Canvas) | ||
7. Woche | ||
Montag, 21. September Shift B Volle Fassung vom 1. Aufsatz fällig "Emil und die Detektive" (1932) sehen |
Mittwoch, 23. September Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 12-13 (Komparativ und Superlativ, Pronomen) |
Freitag, 25. September Shift B Schreibstrategie: Die Sprache recyceln |
8. Woche | ||
Montag, 28. September Shift A Die Flaschenpost, S. 9-24 Thema: BRD/DDR im Kalten Krieg |
Mittwoch, 30. September Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 14 (Adverbien) |
Freitag, 2. Oktober Shift A Schreibstrategie: In der Kürze liegt die Würze |
9. Woche | ||
Montag, 5. Oktober Shift B Letzte Korrektur vom 1. Aufsatz fällig Die Flaschenpost, S. 25-47 Thema: Geographie Mitteleuropas im späten 20. Jhdt. |
Mittwoch, 7. Oktober Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 15 (Präpositionen) |
Freitag, 9. Oktober Shift B Wiederholung der Lesestrategien |
bis Sonntag, 11. Oktober um 23.59: 3. Lernkontrolle (durch Canvas) | ||
10. Woche | ||
Montag, 12. Oktober Shift A Die Flaschenpost, S. 48-71 Thema: Immigrationsstaat Deutschland (Bob oder Cabar?) |
Mittwoch, 14. Oktober Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 16 (Sonderngebräuche der Präpositionen) |
Freitag, 16. Oktober Shift A Wiederholung der Lesestrategien |
11. Woche | ||
Montag, 19. Oktober Shift B Die Flaschenpost, S. 82-116 Thema: Überwachung im Kalten Krieg |
Mittwoch, 21. Oktober Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 17-18 (Zahlen- und Zeitausdrücke, Konjunktionen und Neben- und Hauptsätze) |
Freitag, 23. Oktober Shift B Wiederholung der Lesestrategien |
12. Woche | ||
Montag, 26. Oktober Shift A Die Flaschenpost, S. 117-155 Thema: Zwei Länder oder eine geteilte Nation? |
Mittwoch, 28. Oktober Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 19-20 (Relativ- und Infinitivsätze, da-Komposita und Adverbsätze) |
Freitag, 30. Oktober Shift A Wiederholung der Schreibstrategien |
bis Sonntag, 1. November um 23:59: 4. Lernkontrolle (durch Canvas) | ||
13. Woche | ||
Montag, 2. November Shift B Die Flaschenpost, S. 156-178 Thema: Die DDR im Herbst 1989/Ostalgie Vorschau vom 2. Aufsatz fällig |
Mittwoch, 4. November Shift A Donahue: Kapitel 21-22 (Konjunktiv II) |
Freitag, 6. November Shift B Wiederholung der Schreibstrategien Halbe Fassung vom 2. Aufsatz fällig |
14. Woche | ||
Montag, 9. November Shift A "Good Bye Lenin!" (2003) sehen Volle Fassung vom 2. Aufsatz fällig |
Mittwoch, 11. November Shift B Donahue: Kapitel 23-24 (Konjunktiv I, Passiv) |
Freitag, 13. November Shift A Wiederholung der Schreibstrategien |
15. Woche/Exam Week | ||
Keine Sitzung! Arbeiten Sie an den Korrekturen! | ||
bis Sonntag, 20. November um 23:59: 5. Lernkontrolle (durch Canvas) UND Letzte Korrektur vom 2. Aufsatz |