Memorial University of Newfoundland
Department of German and Russian
Elementary German II
GERM 1001 – 004
(Winter 2015)
Class Time: Slot 04 (M/W/F 11.00-11.50)
Instructor: Maik Siegel
E-mail:
msiegel@mun.ca
Office Hours: Monday 10-11, 12-1
Tuesday 2-3
Friday 10-11, 12-1
Location:
Office:
Phone:
SN1103
SN3053
864-8827
Prerequisite: GERM1000
Course Aims and Outcomes:
This course is a continuation of Elementary German I, using the same basic text, i.e. Treffpunkt
Deutsch. It completes beginners’ basic knowledge of the spoken and written language and
culture of the German-speaking countries, using a communicative approach. Elementary
German II provides the linguistic foundation for progression to Intermediate German I.
Building on work done in the previous term, this course aims at further developing an ability to
read, write, and understand German at a basic level and provides insight into the history,
culture, and everyday life of German speaking countries. It also intends to further awareness of
the structures of the student’s first language and of the intrinsic connections between language
and culture. In addition, the course encourages positive attitudes towards other societies and
cultures.
Upon successful completion of Elementary German II, students will be able to express
themselves in German using simple sentences. They will have acquired the vocabulary,
grammatical structures, and cultural knowledge to master basic social interactions and
situations, such as introducing oneself, making plans, talking about one’s studies, hobbies,
routines, body and well-being, traveling, navigating German cities and contemporary German
society. Students will be able to comprehend spoken German used in everyday situations and
spoken at moderate speed.
Combined with GERM1000, GERM1001 enables students to participate in Memorial’s Field
School in Heidelberg, Germany, to take place in Summer 2016. Please contact Dr. Buffinga
(johnb@mun.ca) or Dr. Mayr (mmayr@mun.ca) for further information regarding the Field
School.
Course Materials and Resources:
Required:
Treffpunkt Deutsch (Sixth Edition) package sold at the University
Bookstore (2nd Floor of the University Centre, Room: UC2006;
Store Hours: Mo-Fri 8:30 am to 4:45 pm). This package includes
the access code to “My German Lab”.
Online Resources:
D2L (Desire2Learn): Some class material, including additional
exercises, quiz answers, etc., will be posted on the D2L website. It
is the students’ responsibility to check the site for posted news
items, new content, and e-mail communication regularly. To
access the course site, please log into Memorial@Home
(https://online.mun.ca/) using your MUN Login ID and Password
and click on GERM-1001.
Recommended:
English Grammar for Students of German (edited by Ceclie Zorach
and Charlotte Melin; any edition), available from various
booksellers.
Course Evaluation Scheme:
Assignments (5)
Chapter Quizzes (4)
Class Preparedness and Participation
Oral Exam
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
10%
20%
10%
10%
20%
30%
*** All quizzes are written at the beginning of class.
LATE POLICY and ACCOMODATION:
*****Late assignments will be accepted at a penalty of 5% per day.*****
If you are applying for a waiver of regulations, are requesting a deferred final exam or
assignment/paper, etc. for medical reasons, please refer to General University Regulation 6.13.
Explanation of Course Components:
Assignments:
There are 5 assignments, one at the end of each Chapter. These assignments will be completed
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online using the MyGermanLab program accompanying your textbook. Detailed explanations
about how to access and complete these assignments will be given in the first week of classes
and are posted on D2L.
Class Participation:
In a language class, participation is vital. Attending class allows you to listen to spoken German,
develop your own speaking skills in conversation with your instructor and peers, and prepare
you for the oral exam. To get the most out of the course, come to every class, come prepared by
having completed all assigned exercises, and actively participate in class and group activities!
Quizzes:
We will have 4 Chapter quizzes. There will be one quiz each at the end of each chapter, unless
there is a midterm. These quizzes are written during regular class hours. They will test you on
listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. They will take place at the
beginning of class, so make sure you are on time!
Oral Exam:
In the last full week of classes (March 23rd -27th), you will meet with your instructor for a period of
10-15 minutes. During this time, you will engage in a conversation on one of a number of
different topics covered in class. In the course of this test, you will produce between 15 and 25
complete German sentences. You will be graded on your ability to use correct German
vocabulary, syntax, grammar, and on your pronunciation. Watch out for the sign-up sheet
towards the end of the semester- first come, first serves!
Conversation Class:
Conversation classes are led by our exchange instructor from Germany, Maik Siegel, a native
German speaker teaching here at MUN for one year. Conversation classes are a fun way to help
you practice speaking German outside of the classroom in a smaller setting. In addition, you will
learn more about contemporary German culture – something you may also pursue by
participating in the German Stammtisch meetings! Details, time and place to be announced.
Midterm: February 13th, 2015
The midterm (20%) tests you on all the material covered up to that point. You will write it during
class time in your usual classroom (50 min.). Since language acquisition is a cumulative
process, the midterm will test you on all of the material covered in class up to that point.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be written during the exam period (April 8th -17th). The exact date will be
determined by the registrar’s office. Since language acquisition is a cumulative process, the final
exam will test you on all of the material covered during the term.
Classroom Conduct:
To ensure that our time together will be spent comfortably and has maximum benefit for all,
very few simple but important rules to follow in the classroom at all times, i.e. during lecture,
class activities, presentations, and group work:
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Be polite and respectful to your peers and instructor.
Refrain from any side conversations while your instructor or one of your peers are
speaking.
Arrive on time and do not leave early. (Speak to your instructor if there are special
circumstances).
Switch off your cell phones and any other electronic devices during class (unless there
is an emergency situation or a laptop is required for learning purposes). That is, no
texting, emailing, chatting, twittering, surfing, …
Campus Support:
There are a number of excellent student support services available to students on campus:
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The Academic Advising Centre (SN-4053) provides academic guidance to students in
their first year of study. Students seeking advice about a specific Major or Minor should
contact the designated undergraduate advisor in that department.
The Commons (QEII library) provides access to print, electronic and technology
resources.
The Counselling Centre (UC-5000) helps students develop their personal capabilities,
ranging from study strategies to assisting distressed students.
Student Affairs and Services (UC-3005) answers questions about such things as
courses, housing, books, financial matters and health.
The Writing Centre (SN-2053) is a free, drop-in facility for students and helps them
become better writers and critical thinkers.
The Glenn Roy Blundon Centre (UC -4007) serves students whose disabilities involve
conditions affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning (disabilities), chronic illness, or
mental health; support is also provided to students with documented temporary
illnesses and injuries.
Academic Offences
Academic offences shall be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
- Cheating on examinations or any other tests, theses, assignments, work term reports,
projects or internship reports: includes copying from another student's work or allowing another
student to copy from one's own work; consulting with any unauthorized person during an
examination or test; using unauthorized aids; or knowingly recording or reporting false
empirical or statistical data. The work referred to includes examinations, theses, assignments,
work term reports, projects, internship reports, or any other tests which are to be used in
judging the student's performance in a course or program of study, or on any special tests
which the University may offer.
- Impersonating another student or allowing oneself to be impersonated: includes the imitation
of a student or the entrance into an arrangement with another person to be impersonated for
the purposes of taking examinations or tests or carrying out laboratory or other assignments.
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- Plagiarism: is the act of presenting the ideas or works of another as one's own. This applies
to all material such as essays, laboratory reports, work term reports, design projects, seminar
presentations, statistical data, computer programs, research results and theses. The properly
acknowledged use of sources is an accepted and important part of scholarship. Use of such
material without acknowledgment is contrary to accepted norms of academic behaviour.
Information regarding acceptable writing or by email practices is available through the Writing
Centre at www.mun.ca/writingcentre/about/.
- Theft of examination papers or other material: includes obtaining by any improper means
examination papers, tests, or any other such material.
- Use and/or distribution of stolen material: includes the use of material which the student
knows to have been improperly obtained and/or the distribution of such material.
- Submitting false information: includes falsifying academic forms or records, submitting false
credentials, medical or other certificates, or making a false, misleading or incomplete
declaration to the University.
- Submitting work for one course or work term which has been or is being submitted for another
course or work term at this or any other institution without express permission to do so:
includes the presentation of an essay, report or assignment to satisfy some or all of the
requirements of a course when that essay, report, or assignment has been previously
submitted or is concurrently being submitted for another course without the express permission
of the professor(s) involved.
Failure to follow relevant University/Faculty/School guidelines on ethics.
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Weekly Schedule:
Disclaimer: We will attempt to closely follow the following syllabus. However, the instructor
reserves the right to slightly adjust the dates of the quizzes and assignments based on progress.
Treffpunkt
1. Woche (Jan 5-9)
Kapitel 5
2. Woche (Jan 12-16)
Kapitel 5
3. Woche (Jan 19-23)
Kapitel 6
4. Woche (Jan 26-30)
Kapitel 6
5. Woche (Feb 2-6)
Kapitel 6
Kapitel 7
6. Woche (Feb 9-13)
Kapitel 7
Important Dates
Thursday Jan 15th: Assignment #1
Friday Jan 16th: Quiz #1
Thursday Jan 29th: Assignment #2
Friday Jan 30th: Quiz #2
Thursday Feb 12th: Assignment #3
Friday, Feb 13th: MIDTERM (Kapitel 5, 6, and
parts of 7)
Kapitel 7
Semesterbreak (Feb 16th-18th)
8. Woche (Feb 23-27)
Kapitel 8
Last Add/Drop (Feb 23rd)
9. Woche (Mar 2-6)
Kapitel 8
Thursday Mar 5th: Assignment #4
Friday, Mar 6th: Quiz#3
10. Woche (Mar 9-13)
Kapitel 8
11. Woche (Mar 16-20)
Kapitel 9
Thursday Mar 19th: Assignment #5
Friday, Mar 20th: Quiz #4
12. Woche (Mar 23-27)
Kapitel 9
ORAL EXAMS
13. Woche (Mar 30-April 1)
Kapitel 9
Review
Lectures end: April 2nd
7. Woche (Feb 20)
Final Exam (Kapitel 5-9)
Exam Period: April 8-17th
Exam Period
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