Deutsch 2003

Prerequisite: GERM 1002. In this course, you will build communicative skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening) as well as proficiency in cross-cultural critical analysis and evaluation. After successful completion of GERM 2003, your German language skills should be between the novice-mid and novice-high level on the ACTFL scale or A2 on the Common European Framework of References for Languages scale.

Research shows that after you pass GERM 2003, just two additional courses can result in an impressive linguistic growth spurt. Four more courses after that will assure you an intermediate-high level of proficiency. A German minor (comprising 5 courses beyond GERM 2004) results in advanced-low proficiency or – if you study abroad – possibly even in advanced-mid language skills. Obtaining a German major (12 courses) with one year abroad) means that you will be able to communicate effectively in most social and professional settings at the advanced level.

Online learning is not a spectator sport. Students attending online will be expected to actively participate. They must:

• have a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet with a functioning camera and microphone that they can use to participate in class. Joining class by smartphone is not allowed. You may borrow equipment from ECU's libraries.
• keep their cameras on for the duration of each class meeting. Not showing your face will be considered being absent.
• respond to all spoken and written prompts via text chat during whole-class discussions. Not doing so will be considered non-participation.
• be ready to respond orally at any time during a class session. Being unprepared to do so will be considered non-participation.

All sections, face-to-face and online, share one Canvas site and will complete the same homework assignments.

Required. Niko Tracksdorf, et. al., Impuls Deutsch 1: Machen, 2019 [ISBN: 9783126053006]. You do not need to renew the online workbook subscribtions.

• You must have a hard copy of the Machen textbook.
• Dowdy Bookstore and UBE sell the Machen textbook used, or you can order it online at https://klettwl.com/store/product/impuls-deutsch-1-textbook.
• Always bring your Machen book to every group meeting, as we will work with it every time.

Bring a phone for any online activities we might do in class.

Grading Scale

Participation (die Beteiligung, 25%)

For each class, you will receive between -1 and +2 points for your participation grade based on the following criteria:

• Presence. Please let Dr. van der Kolk know if you will be absent for a class, whether excused or not.
  • Excused absences are for participation in official ECU activities, military training, extreme personal or medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, and religious holidays and must have documentation (University policy on documentation). Excused absences will not count for or against your grade, but please review the class recordings or see Dr. vdK in office hours afterward to get caught up.
    • If you end the semester with six excused absences, your final grade will be an Incomplete ("I").
  • All others are unexcused absences. See the official university policy on attendance for details.
    • If you end the semester with six unexcused absences, your final grade will be an "F".
    • If you must be absent in your regular section, you can make up your absence by meeting with Dr. van der Kolk in office hours or with a tutor at the Pirate Academic Success Center for cumulatively twice amount of time you missed.
  • To be counted as fully present, you must attend at least 45 out of 50 minutes of a class.
  • To be counted as partially present (half absence), you must attend between 5 and 25 minutes of 50 minutes.

• Participate. To get full participation for a session, you must accomplish all of the following:
  • Engage. You involve yourself in all class meetings, including group and whole-class activities, and make a good faith effort to express yourself in German. However:
    • 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!
  • Be prepared. 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, including our Machen textbook, a pencil, and paper.
  • Cooperate. You support and encourage your fellow students. Be an asset to others' learning, and they will be an asset to you.

Homework (die Hausaufgaben, 25%)

Check the homework plan posted on Canvas every day. Expect to spend up to 2 hours on homework and preparation for each class session.

There are three different types of homework activities:

1. "Lernen" Homework. Online exercises done before class.
2. "Zeigen" Homework. Online exercises done shortly after a class.
3. Quizlet Vocabulary. Complete the "Learn" and "Test" activities from Quizlet to "Mastery" status.

Quizzes (die Lernkontrollen, 20%)

Every third class period will have a short quiz on vocabulary and grammar. Each quiz assumes continued mastery of previous topics.

Projects (die Projekte, 19%, 3% for the first, 8% each for second and third)

You will complete three projects designed to showcase your communicative skills in German.

Final Oral Assessment (die Endprüfung, 8%)

You will complete a oral assessment based on your final project during exam week, which will gauge your listening and speaking skills.

Cultural Engagement (kulturelles Engagement, 3%)

Over the semester, you will participate in at least three cultural engagement activities outside of class related to German-speaking culture, like participating a film night, attending a talk by a speaker, or attending a German Club chat hour. Elligible events will be announced as the semester goes on. You will submit a report for each of the three events through Canvas.

The most successful students typically do the following:

• Keep up. College language classes move fast and require constant engagement. Students most often struggle not because of the difficulty of the content, but rather because they fall behind. Make sure to:
  • Show up. Missing one or (even worse) several sessions in a row makes everything you learn afterwards harder. Be absent as sparingly as possible!
  • Complete all assignments on time. Missing a homework won't just cost you points, it will leave you unprepared for the next day's lesson, and the next assignment, which will make the next class and assignment harder, and the next, and the next...
• Get your money's worth:
  • Use office hours. Email me to make an appointment, or feel free to "stop by" with questions! Don't suffer from FMOOWMP! →
  • Talk a lot! Make lots of mistakes! You will make mistakes as you try out new vocabulary and grammar. This shows me how I can help you.
  • Ask questions! When you’re lost, confused, or have a question, someone else probably has the same one (and they’ll be glad you asked).
  • Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Get help NOW! Save yourself aggravation and extra work later on by taking advantage of the extra videos I post, e-mailing me, coming to my office hours, or using our free German tutors through the Pirate Academic Success Center now. Book an appointment with the Pirate Academic Success Center via tutoring@ecu.edu or 252-737-3009.
• Learn smarter, not longer. Studies show that people retain knowledge better and quicker 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 time every day or every other day to do your work. Make it a habit.
  • Small tasks. Cramming is inefficient. Instead, break assignments into a series of smaller, manageable tasks that allow your mind time to digest what it just learned.
  • Be opportunistic. Use short bits of time that you might waste (e.g. standing in a long line, eating by yourself, waiting for class to start) practicing vocabulary instead.
  • Take breaks. Give yourself time to let things sink in when studying. Schedule a break every so often so that you don't work for more than an hour at a time.
  • If you get stuck, revisit later. If a particular lesson or exercise frustrates you, put it aside, work on something else, and let your brain reset. It may make sense later.
  • Put in the time. Language learning isn't hard, but it does take time. We expect you to work up to 6 hours a week outside of class, however...
  • 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!
• Master the basics. We learn the most basic language first because it is the most important and most used, so be patient.
  • Put effort into your homework. Homework explains the basics that we will then practice in more sophisticated ways in class. Putting a genuine effort into homework is vital to your success.
  • Vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary! Having a strong working vocabulary makes everything easier and faster. Learn a few words every day. Use our Quizlet utilities or (even better) old-fashioned paper flash cards – find what works for you!

In the Classroom

Our class will be a respectful environment, where all students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. Please let me know if anything in or outside of class makes you feel uncomfortable.

• Bitte keine Handys! Please stay off phones, laptops, and tablets unless required for class activities. Texting in class will take a point off your participation grade for that day.
• Check email frequently as I use it for class communication. Missing an email is not a valid excuse.
• Pronouns and Preferred Names. Let me know if you have a preferred name that differs from your legal name listed in the university's records, or if you have specific pronouns that you would prefer.

Academic Integrity

Accommodations

East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must be registered with the Department for Disability Support Services located in Slay 138, 252-737-1016. Accommodation Information & Processes.

Emergency Information

In the event of a campus emergency that disrupts academic activities, course requirements, deadlines, and grading percentages are subject to change. Information about changes in the course will be communicated as soon as possible by email and on Canvas. If we are not able to meet face-to-face, students should log onto Canvas and read any announcements and/or access alternative assignments. (http://www.ecu.edu/alert). Emergency info hotline: 328-0062

This outline contains all major assignments. It is, however, subject to change at my discretion. For daily homework, see the detailed plan online on Canvas.