Mid-level German course with weekly writings and written/oral ...

Syllabus for German 2332 

Deutsch 2332 

Frühjahr 2000 

M W F -- 314-PGH Dr. Cary Völkner Nathenson 

10.00 – 11.00 

Telefon: 713-743-3040 

11.00 – 12.00 

Email: cnathen@uh.edu 

WWW: http://www.uh.edu/~cnathen 

Sprechstunden: 

454 Agnes Arnold Hall 

Montag: 15 – 15.50; Mittwoch: 12 – 13 Uhr 

und nach Vereinbarung 

Texts: 

Wells: Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik (book and Arbeitsheft) 

Wells: Mitlesen - Mitteilen 

Lys: Drehort: Neubrandenburg 

Dürrenmatt: Der Richter und sein Henker 

A good, inexpensive German-English dictionary (or a more expensive one if you think you will continue 

with German). Before you buy any dictionary, make sure it's "user-friendly," i.e., can you easily 

determine the gender and plural form of nouns, the forms of verbs, etc. Collins and Langenscheidt are 

good. 

Optional: Cecile Zorach: English Grammar for Students of German (if you get confused by grammatical 

terms, you need this book!) 

Objectives: 

This is a continuation of German 2331 and the objectives remain the same: to review and refine your 

ability to communicate in German and comprehend authentic German-language materials. All of your 

skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and analyzing) will be put to use, and we will move faster 

and raise our expectations over the 2331 level. The final presentation will allow you the opportunity to 

integrate your German in an exploration of an area of your own interest. Please note that although we 

will move "forward" in grammar and vocabulary, remember that language learning is a constant process 

of reviewing and relearning. You will often need to go “back”—on your own initiative—and revisit 

material covered in previous semesters. 

Requirements: 

Class attendance and active participation are mandatory, as these are essential for meeting the course 

objectives. “Active” participation means preparing all homework assignments well and applying them 

in class. It does not mean only speaking when called upon or when you are sure you have the “right” 

answer. Learning a language requires preparation and risk! Irregular attendance or passivity is unfair to 

http://www.uh.edu/~cnathen/2332syl.htm (1 of 6)7/28/2005 7:11:31 AM


the other students and myself since we will learn and work as a group. While tardiness and any 

unexcused absences will effect your grade, each unexcused absence after 3 absences will lower your 

participation grade by one grade (e.g. from B+ to B). I will not accept late assignments nor give makeup 

tests, though these will not be graded as zero for excused absences. Please contact me whenever 

something may interfere with your ability to participate, preferably in advance. I will do my best to help 

you solve these problems. 

Writing: Essays (2-3 pages) are due every week, either as a first version or the corrected re-write 

(Korrektur). Each version will count for 50% of your total grade. Hand in the first version again with 

the corrected version. Essays will be evaluated for both grammar and content. The essays must be 

typed or neatly printed, double-spaced. 

Reading/Viewing: Thorough and careful reading (viewing) of all assignments is necessary for 

meaningful discussion and adequate participation. You are required to maintain a reading journal (a 

separate notebook used only for this purpose). Each time you read or see a video, write new and useful 

vocabulary and expressions as well as questions and comments on the texts in your journal. This way 

you will expand your vocabulary and be prepared to discuss the material. Although they will not be 

graded for grammar, the journals are mandatory and I will collect and check them several times during 

the semester. Please bring your journals to each class period. 

Grammar: A working knowledge of fundamental German grammar is a prerequisite for this course. You 

are primarily responsible for your own grammar review. There is an answer key to the workbook 

exercises and you are required to complete and correct your own work and review as necessary. If 

grammar remains unclear after significant effort on your own, please do tell me so that we can review in 

class. The book we will use is also a good reference when you feel you need additional grammar 

practice, or if you wish to explore more grammar points than we will cover. Your work will be checked 

in short, bi-weekly quizzes, a mid-term, and a final exam. Vocabulary will also be quizzed. 

Final Presentation: During the last week of the term, you will prepare a discussion on a topic of your 

choice. The topics must be cross-cultural, however; that means you must clearly show how the topic is 

relevant to both German culture and to your (our) culture. You will be required to consult a minimum of 

7 sources, of which at least 3 must be in German. These requirements apply to each student in a group 

presentation. An “A” presentation will be lively and clear, intellectually stimulating, spoken rather than 

read, and incorporate visual/audio aides, role-playing, explain difficult vocabulary (preferably in 

German), etc. Furthermore, a 1-2 page written summary (not a script!) of your presentation and a 

bibliography are required. 

Final Exam: A grammar-oriented final will be held on May 4. 

Internet: 

I recommend that you use the Web regularly. I post assignments and class announcements on my 

homepage. I have cataloged several German-related links and other information sources that will 



increase your access to authentic German materials. Please also let me know if you find any other 

sources of possible interest to the class. Also, please obtain an email address (free to all UH students). 

This will help us all stay in touch, if necessary, outside of class. If you have any problems using the 

Internet tell me immediately. UH Computing also offers help and training in using the Web. Contact 

them in Social Work 110. 

Other Resources: 

The German Club: The club meets bi-weekly to plan and hold events of all kinds of interest to students 

and fans of German. Typical events include video showings, music, guest speakers from Germanspeaking 

countries, and excursions such as the annual trip to "Wurstfest" in New Braunfels. Join the 

German Club and experience German in a casual, social setting. 

Join the German Club email discussion. Visit this web site: 

http://listserv.uh.edu/archives/uh-gc.html 

and follow the easy instructions for joining UH-GC. 

Delta Phi Alpha: The German honor society sponsors social and academic events throughout the year. 

Looks good on your résumé and fun, too! Contact Prof. Hildegard Glass (743-3049) for more 

information. 

Foreign Language Laboratory: The lab is located on the 3rd floor of Agnes Arnold Hall. It has 

computing facilities open to language students, foreign language software, films, and audio tapes. They 

also may have tutoring available. See their web site www.hfac.uh.edu/mcl/fll for more information. 

Evaluation: 

Your performance will be evaluated according to the following scheme: 

Class Participation 25 % 

Essays 15 % 

Reading Journal 5 % 

Quizzes 20 % 

Mid-Term (March 10th) 15 % 

Final Presentation (last week of term) 10 % 

Final Exam (May 4th, 2:00-5:00) 10 % 

Please Note: Your evaluation of me is welcome and encouraged any time during the semester. Your 

thoughtful feedback will help you get what you need out of this class. Please do not wait until the end of 

the term to let your opinion be known. 

SEMESTERPLAN 



This syllabus is intended as an outline. Specific assignments and changes will be announced in class 

and posted on the course homepage. 

Key: 

Grammar chapters (Handbuch) given in parentheses 

MM = Mitlesen-Mitteilen (reader) 

DNB = Drehort: Neubrandenburg (video guide) 

RH = Der Richter und sein Henker (novel) 

1. Woche Questions (15)/Numerals (22) 

19. - 21. Jan. MM: Mittagspause 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

2. Woche Seasons, Dates (23) 

24. - 28. Jan. DNB: Einführung 

Aufsatz 1 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

3. Woche Quiz 1 

31. Jan. - 4. Feb. Pronouns (16) 

DNB: Die Stadt Reading Journals reviewed 

Aufsatz 1 Korrektur 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

4. Woche Reflexive Pronouns (17) 

7. - 11. Feb. MM: San Salvador 

Aufsatz 2 

______________________________________________________________________________ 


14. - 18. Feb. Infinitives (18) 

DNB: Kinderhaus Kuno 


______________________________________________________________________________ 

6. Woche Da-Compounds/Es (19) 

21. - 25. Feb. MM: Der weiße Fiat 

Aufsatz 3 

______________________________________________________________________________ 


28. Feb. - 3. März Adverbs (24) 



DNB: Der Trabant Reading Journals reviewed 


8. Woche Particles (25) 

6. - 10. März DNB: Welcome 

Mid-Term 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

Spring Break 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

9. Woche Conditional Subjunctive (20) 

20. - 24. März MM/Cyberbuch CD-ROM: Wenn die Haifische Menschen wären 

Aufsatz 4 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

10. Woche Indirect Subjunctive (27) 

27. - 31. März Film: Die Mörder sind unter uns 

Begin Der Richter und sein Henker (chps. 1-2) 


______________________________________________________________________________ 


3. - 7. April Adjective Nouns (21) 

RH: 3-6 Reading Journals reviewed 

Aufsatz 5 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

12. Woche Verb Prefixes (29) 

10. - 14. April RH: 7-11 

Aufsatz 5 Korrektur Reading Journals reviewed 

Prepare Final Oral Presentations 

______________________________________________________________________________ 


17. - 21. April Relative Pronouns (26) 

RH: 12-17 Reading Journals reviewed 

Prepare Final Oral Presentations 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

14. Woche Final presentations (Absences count double) 

24. - 28. April RH: 18-21 Reading Journals reviewed 

______________________________________________________________________________ 



15. Woche Review 

1. Mai 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

Schlußprüfung -- 4. Mai: 14 - 17 Uhr 

Korrektursymbole 

Carefully compare these symbols with the comments on your paper and try your best to understand and 

correct the error. Consult your grammar and/or dictionary. 

A = subject and verb don't agree (wrong conjugation for that subject) 

Art = insert (or remove) definite (de.) or indefinite (ind.) article. (der, etc.; ein-, etc.) 

Awk = awkward formulation 

C = wrong case (due to use in sentence or determined by preposition or verb) 

Conj = wrong use of a conjunction 

Cs = use a form of the conditional subjunctive (subjunctive II) 

End = wrong adjective or noun ending 

Engl = you've simply translated from English to German where German uses a different 

formulation. Consult your dictionary. 

G = wrong gender and therefore wrong definite or indefinite article 

Ids = use the indirect discourse subjunctive (subjunctive I) 

Inf = use an infinitive construction (e.g. um ... zu, etc.) 

Neg = wrong form of negation (e.g. using "nicht ein" instead of "kein" or wrong 

position of negation) 

Pl = wrong plural form or a request to use the plural instead of the singular form 

P = wrong or missing punctuation mark 

Prep = wrong preposition 

Pron = wrong pronoun 

Refl = you need a reflexive pronoun 

Rel = use a relative clause (e.g. "Das ist der Mann, den ich kenne.") 

Sng = use the singular form of a noun 

Sp = spelling error 

T = wrong/incorrect tense 

V = wrong/inappropriate verb 

Vf = wrong verb form, e.g., wrong mood or confusion of "weak" and "strong" verbs 

Voc = wrong vocabulary choice (see your dictionary) 

Wo = wrong word order (marked under verb, but you may have to change more than 

the verb position) 

/ = if a letter has a / (slash) through it, change it from upper to lower case 

= = a double line under a letter means change from lower to upper case 

V = marks the place where a missing item should be inserted 

[...] = brackets mark a larger segment that needs to be change

Mid-level German course with weekly writings and written/oral ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?