Course Description
First course in the introductory-level study of the German language and the cultures of the German-speaking world. Emphasis on active listening, speaking, writing, and reading, and applied vocabulary. Prerequisite: None; Notes: Students with previous knowledge of German are required to take the placement test. Students who are native or heritage speakers of German MUST obtain permission from the instructor before enrolling in the course. No academic credit will be given without department permission if students have already earned credit for an equivalent or higher-level course or have been placed into a higher-level course.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
MAC Category and SLOs
- Describe dynamic elements of different cultures.
- Explain how similarities, differences, and connections among diverse groups of people or environmental systems affect one another over time and place.
Course Specific SLOs
- Communicate in basic German
- Understand simple texts
- Develop cultural awareness
Course Grading Information:
Major Assignments and Grade Distribution (face-to-face sections)
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Homework | 25% |
| Quizzes | 15% |
| Speaking and Writing Tasks | 20% |
| Portfolios | 15% |
| Attendance and Participation | 20% |
| Cultural Work and Discussion | 5% |
Major Assignments and Grade Distribution (online section)
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Homework | 30% |
| Icebreaker Video | 1% |
| Quizzes | 9% |
| Speaking and Writing Tasks | 30% |
| Cultural Work and Discussion | 10% |
| Tests | 20% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93–100 | A |
| 90–92 | A- |
| 88–89 | B+ |
| 83–87 | B |
| 80–82 | B- |
| 78–79 | C+ |
| 73–77 | C |
| 70–72 | C- |
| 68–69 | D+ |
| 63–67 | D |
| 60–62 | D- |
| 0–59 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance and participation are required in the face-to-face sections. Absences will impact the final grade. Regular participation is essential to success.
In the online section, attendance is not graded. Participation is based on consistent engagement with the Canvas course site and VHL Central Sag Mal site, making discussion posts, and meeting deadlines for the submission of assignments in this asynchronous online course.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
Sag Mal textbook and VHL Central Supersite access with WebSAM (online section only)
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.