GERMAN 100A: FIRST COURSE IN GERMAN
FALL 2015
SECTION 2 / SCHEDULE # 21704
MW 11-11:50 & TTh 11:00-12:15
NE-173
Instructor Information
Instructor: Guzman
Office: SH-220A
Office Hours: T/TH 12.15-1.30 & by appointment
Email: guzman61@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (619) 594-1133
Mailbox: SH-224A
Course Overview
German 100A is an elementary language acquisition course, which introduces students to the basic foundations of German. All
language skills will be introduced, with emphasis on speaking and listening. Students will also be introduced to the everyday
cultures of the German-speaking regions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
 To be able to carry out the following tasks in spoken German: to identify and describe everyday objects and scenes, to
express likes and dislikes, to report events in the present tense, to remark on isolated events in the past, to ask basic
questions, and to give simple directions and instructions.
 To develop basic listening and reading comprehension skills at the beginner level.
 To gain initial skills in writing short German texts on personal topics, using vocabulary and structures introduced in class.
 To acquire high-frequency vocabulary, basic grammar structures, and ability to articulate German sounds.
 To gain an understanding of the communities and cultural contexts within which German is spoken.
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: none. Not open to students who have completed three years of high school German unless the third course was
completed five or more years ago.
Procedures for Dropping/Reenrolling: Students who do not attend the first class session and the beginning of the second MAY
BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE BY THE INSTRUCTOR. Any student dropped by the instructor will be notified of the action by
email. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a current email address on file through the SDSU WebPortal: sdsu.edu/portal. To
reenroll, students must receive an add code from the instructor and reenroll in the course before the deadline to add classes.
NOT ALL INSTRUCTORS WILL DROP STUDENTS WHO MISS THE FIRST TWO SESSIONS. You are responsible for all courses on your
schedule. You should check your online schedule regularly and take necessary action to add or drop before any deadlines.
Course Materials
Textbook and Workbook: Terrell et al, Kontakte, 7th edition, Mc-Graw-Hill (Chapters A through 6)
Audio Program for Arbeitsbuch: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073386340/student_view0/index.html: Select correct
chapter by clicking on "Choose one," then on “WBML Audio”
Additional Resources: http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com
Course Structure and Methods
German 100A is based on a communicative and proficiency-based approach to language learning. Classroom activities have
students use German in realistic situations. Group and partner work and role-plays provide students with the opportunity to
practice new vocabulary and structures by performing meaningful tasks. To provide maximum practice in the language, this
course is conducted in German. Multi-media instructional materials reinforce classroom activities and address the various
learning styles of individual students.
This class is learner-centered, so most language acquisition will take place outside the classroom and is dependent on the
student’s involvement with the language. Ideally students should spend two hours a day practicing German. Beyond working
with vocabulary, learning grammar and completing assignments, students can participate in many German activities. For
example, students may take part in German club activities or the German program’s conversation hour, sign up for native-
speaker conversation partners at the American Language Institute, talk to German-speaking students at the International
Student Association’s coffee hour every Friday (ww.isc.sdsu.edu/), work with materials available in the LARC lab (computer
exercises, German movies and language videos), rent German videos (the Media Center of the SDSU Library has several), watch
news online (www.tagesschau.de or www.dw-world.de) or other German TV programs (for example, at:
www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek#/hauptnavigation/sendung-verpasst or www.ardmediathek.de/sendung-verpasst), and read
German books, newspapers, magazines, blogs (see your instructor for suggestions or see the links on the SDSU German Studies
webpage). It can also be useful to form study groups with fellow students, since practicing with others aids the learning
process.
Course Assessment and Grading
Participation:
10%
Students are expected to attend class regularly, to come to class fully prepared (with assignments completed), and
to participate actively in classroom activities and discussions. Because such participation is essential to language
acquisition, students’ participation grade will be lowered one full letter grade for every 2 unexcused absences.
Homework:
15%
Includes workbook (see schedule below) and other written exercises assigned by instructor. All workbook
assignments must be corrected using the key at the back of the workbook BEFORE being turned in.
Kulturprojekte:
5%
Each student will attend 2 cultural events or give a 3-5-minute oral presentation (in English) on a topic of German
culture (see information below).
Quizzes:
15%
Quizzes on vocabulary will be given regularly, as well as quizzes on language structures and cultural information as
needed.
Chapter Tests:
35%
6 written chapter tests will be given (see schedule below).
Oral Exams:
10%
A midterm and final oral exam will be given to test oral and listening proficiency, including acquisition of vocabulary
(see schedule below).
Final Exam:
10%
A cumulative final exam, with emphasis on Chapter 6, will be given on Saturday, Dec 12, 10:30-12:30 (room TBA).
Make-Up Exams and Late Work
Grades on assignments turned in or presented late will be lowered one full letter grade for each day assignment is late, unless
previous arrangements have been made with the instructor. No make-up tests or oral exams will be given. If students know in
advance that they will miss a test or if an emergency arises on a test day, they should contact their instructor immediately to
see what can be arranged.
Schedule of Tests and Workbook Assignments
Tu Sep 01:
Arbeitsbuch A due
Mo Sep 14:
Arbeitsbuch B due
TEST on Einführung A and B
Mo Sep 28:
Arbeitsbuch 1 due
TEST on Kapitel 1
Mo Oct 12:
Arbeitsbuch 2 due
TEST on Kapitel 2
Tu Oct 20:
ORAL EXAM
Mo Oct 26:
Arbeitsbuch 3 due
TEST on Kapitel 3
Mo Nov 09:
Arbeitsbuch 4 due
TEST on Kapitel 4
Tu Nov 24:
Arbeitsbuch 5 due
TEST on Kapitel 5
Tu Dec 08:
ORAL EXAM
We Dec 09:
Arbeitsbuch 6 due
Sat Dec 12:
FINAL EXAM, 10:30-12:30
Kulturprojekte
The purpose of the Kulturprojekte (cultural projects) is to allow you to experience or learn more about aspects of German
culture, which particularly interest you. Choose items from the following lists or see your instructor about other options. You
can follow up on an old interest or try something new. Above all, have fun!
Option 1: Attend two German-culture events approved by the instructor. Turn in appropriate proof of attendance (receipt or
ticket stub, signature of sponsor, etc.) or, where this is not available, a one-paragraph description/reaction.
Ideas:
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attend a lecture on a German topic
attend the German program’s Kaffeepause conversation hour
participate in German Club events
attend a German play, a concert of German music, or a German opera
attend a museum exhibit pertaining to German culture
attend an event at the German House in Balboa Park: www.balboapark.org
attend an event at the German-American Societies of San Diego: germanclubsandiego.org
go to a German-style restaurant or festival
interview a German native speaker
read a German novel or short story in English (see instructor for suggestions)
watch a German film (the Media Center in Love Library has a good selection; see your instructor for suggestions)
Option 2: Make a 3-to-5-minute presentation in English on a topic of German culture approved by the instructor. The grade for
this Kulturprojekt will be based on: 1) being well prepared, 2) providing appropriate and accurate content, and 3) giving an
informative and interesting presentation (props, music, food, pictures, websites, etc., are welcome!). The due date for this
project will be assigned by your instructor.
Ideas:
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research some aspect of German culture, history or society (art, music, literature, sports, your favorite Germanspeaking city, the unification of Germany, etc.)
find out more about a German speaker who is important for your own field of study
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make a German meal or dish to share with your classmates and explain how you made it
talk about your trip to a German-speaking country
tell about your German relatives or friends
research your German roots
General Education
German 100A satisfies the General Education requirement Foundations C.5 Humanities: Foreign Language. Foundations of
Learning courses introduce students to the basic concepts, theories, and approaches offered by disciplinary and
interdisciplinary areas of study. They provide the foundation to understand and approach problems in the academy, and in local
and global real-world environments. Consistent with class size and learning goals, they cultivate skills in reading, writing,
communication, computation, information gathering, and use of technology.
Language Requirement
Students may satisfy the CAL three-semester graduation requirement in a language by successfully completing one of the
following courses: German 202, 205A, 205B. German 100A and 100B (or equivalent) are prerequisite to all three of these
courses.
German Studies Program, Department of European Studies
For more information about the German Studies program at SDSU, see the program website: http://german.sdsu.edu or
contact the German Studies adviser:
Kristin Rebien, Dept. of European Studies, SH-220B, krebien@mail.sdsu.edu, (619) 594-5128
GENERAL INFORMATION
(subject to change or error; see SDSU Catalog and website for most accurate, up-to-date information)
Accommodations
The learning environment should be accessible to all. SDSU provides reasonable accommodations in the following situations:
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Disability: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your
accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you
have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is
appreciated.
Religion: By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructors of affected courses of
planned absences for religious observances.
Official university activities (e.g., Athletics): Within the first two weeks of classes, a student who expects to be part of
an official university event or activity shall notify the instructors of affected courses. At that time, the student shall
request accommodation for any missed examinations or other assignments. If scheduling changes occur, the student
shall immediately notify the instructors.
Academic Honesty
The University adheres to a strict policy regarding cheating and plagiarism. These activities will not be tolerated in this class. If
you have questions on what is plagiarism, please consult the policy: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html.
Consequences of cheating and plagiarism
SDSU instructors are mandated to report all instances of cheating and plagiarism to the Center for Student Rights and
Responsibility. Consequences are at the instructor’s and the Center for Student Rights and Responsibility’s discretion. They may
include any of the following:
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failing the assignment
failing the class
warning
probation
suspension
expulsion
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses. You are plagiarizing or cheating if you:
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for written work, copy down or cut anything from a book, article or website and add or paste it into your paper
without using quotation marks and providing the full reference for the quotation, including page number
for written work, summarize / paraphrase in your own words ideas you got from a book, article, or the web without
providing the full reference for the source, including page number
for an oral presentation, copy down or cut anything from a book, article, or website and present it orally as if it were
your own words. You must summarize and paraphrase in your own words, and bring a list of references in case the
professor asks to see it
use visuals or graphs you got from a book, article, or website without providing the full reference for the picture or
table
recycle a paper you wrote for another class
turn in the same (or a very similar paper) for two classes
purchase or otherwise obtain a paper and turn it in as your own work
copy off of a classmate
use technology or smuggle in documents to obtain or check information in an exam situation
For more detailed information, read the chapter on plagiarism in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th edition,
2003), visit the following website http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml and talk to your professors before
turning in your paper or doing your oral presentation. The University of Indiana also has very helpful writing hints for students,
including some on how to cite sources. Please visit http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml for more information. Test
your knowledge of what constitutes plagiarism through a tutorial offered by the SDSU Library. To access the tutorial go to:
http://library.sdsu.edu/guides/tutorial.php?id=28
In foreign language study, cheating also includes the following:
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Doing your written homework and then having a third party correct it, or having someone else write your homework
for you and turning that in for credit
Doing assignments with another student and turning in the same or almost the same work. (Unless you are
specifically directed to work in pairs on in groups, college-level work is always expected to be solely your own.)
Using an automated translation engine to translate your homework
Using an available translation of a text on which to base your own translation and turning that in for credit.
What IS acceptable includes the following:
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Asking your professor for help.
Brainstorming answers and/or ideas with another student; then, each student writes up the homework separately
and turns in his or her own work.
Doing your written homework and/or translation and then having a third party circle your mistakes; you then do the
corrections on your own and turn in your own work.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHAT IS OR IS NOT CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM, IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR.