Kenneth E. Larson, Wells College, Spring, 2010

MWF 11:30-12:20; Tuesday 12:30-1:20;  Stratton 304
Office Hours: Wednesday 1.30-4.20 Macmillan 109 and by appointment
Office Phone: 364-3305; Home Phone: 364-8484
Email: klarson@wells.edu; Course email list: german102@wells.edu
Online Resources: http://books.quia.com; http://www.prenhall.com/treffpunkt

Goals: The Catalog description of German 101, 102 is: "Development of all four communication skills in German: speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Essentials of grammar, basic vocabulary, practice speaking and writing German,. Information on current social and cultural issues of German-speaking countries."  German 101 and 102 are two halves of a single year-long course. By the end of 102 you should reach a basic level of competence in the language, one that will allow you to interact with native speakers on a simple level, to read simple texts and get the general meaning of more complex texts, and to make yourself understood in simple writing.You will also better appreciate the cultures of German-speaking countries and, by comparison, U.S. culture. In the same way, learning another language will provide a new perspective on your native language.

Textbook and online components:

• Widmaier, E. R., Widmaier, F. T., Gonglewski, M.: Treffpunkt Deutsch: Grundstufe, 5th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson / Prentice Hall, 2008.
• Online edition of the Treffpunkt Deutsch Student Activities Manual by Quia Books (login with username and password bundled with textbook) at http://books.quia.com. Our Quia course code for German 102 is BMJAX746. This is a different code from the one we used for German 101 in the fall. Simply login with the same username and password you used last semester, enter the new course code, and you will be ready to go. Note that the Quia online Student Activities Manual is an integral part of the course and is required. Homework assignments will be done online using Quia nearly every day. Quia also provides access to essential audio and video components. Each student needs her or his own Quia login; logins cannot be shared. A Quia login can be purchased separately from the textbook bundle by going to the URL above and clicking on the Bookstore tab.
• Treffpunkt Deutsch companion website (practice exercises for vocabulary and structures, complete in-text audio program, links for cultural exploration, etc.): http://www.prenhall.com/treffpunkt/ (top link).
• For both the Quia Student Activities Manual and the Treffpunkt Deutsch companion website you will need an Internet connection and headphones or speakers. If you do not have a computer with an Internet connection in your room you can use a computer in a Wells computer lab. If you find a lab that is not able to do Quia let me know, and try a computer in another lab. For online audio and video your computer will need Quicktime 7 (for Quia) and Real Player (for the companion website). A free version of Quicktime is available at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ ; a free version of Real Player is available at http://www.real.com/. In both cases you may want to be careful to choose the free version and to choose only the basic software without any additional bundled programs.

Expectations of work outside class: Learning a language is like training for a sport or learning a musical instrument: all require intense daily practice. You should plan on spending two hours a day outside the classroom between each class (i.e. between Monday and Tuesday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Wednesday and Friday, Friday and Monday). Read that sentence again. Yes, two hours. If you find that you are spending less than two hours on German between classes you are probably not using all of the online and printed resources to full advantage or practicing listening and speaking as much as you should. Even though 101, 102 language classes are called "elementary" many students find that they are among the hardest classes they will ever take in college. Mark out study time between classes in advance and keep to it.

Study tip: Languages are social. Study with a friend. Read the dialogues together. Talk to each other in German. Do the exercises in the textbook together. Quiz each other on vocabulary.Study together for the chapter tests and final.
 

Tests and final exam: examine the syllabus closely at the beginning of the semester and plan accordingly. It is essential not to miss scheduled tests. If something comes up that will force you to miss a scheduled test be certain to contact me in advance. If you are too sick to take a test and too sick to call or email me before class be sure to have your roommate or a friend contact me before class time.

Honor Code: Unlike class preparation and practice, where collaboration is encouraged, all quizzes and tests are to be done by yourself alone with no helps (books, notes, Internet, etc.). The Honor Code is fundamental to Wells College.

Students with disabilities: If you have a physical, sensory, health, cognitive, or mental health disability that could limit your ability to participate fully in this class, you are encouraged to contact the Coordinator of Learning Support Services, Chris Richardson, to discuss accommodations that will help you succeed. Your conversations with him are highly confidential, and he will not supply details of your disability to anyone without your permission. Do understand that Mr. Richardson will need to notify your faculty about accommodations that you might need and that are supported by your disability documentation. Mr. Richardson is reachable at the  Learning Support Services office, middle (main) floor of the library, near the Writing Center.  An appointment sign-up sheet is on the desk in the central reception area. Telephone x 3432, email crichardson@wells.edu.

Grades: Grades are based 8% on class attendance and participation, 20% on homework (daily on Quia, some days additional written assignments), 54% on chapter tests, and 18% on the final exam.

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