Syllabus – German 102

Beginning German II
Fall 2018 (CN: 42875)
Dave Shively (dshively@csusm.edu)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 5-6pm, Wednesdays 7:30-8:30am, Markstein Hall 242

Modern Language Studies

Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 – 4:50p.m.
Markstein 209
Semester Dates: 8/27/2018 – 12/8/2018

Herzlich Willkommen zu Deutsch für Anfänger, Stufe II!

Course Description and Learning Objectives:

“Further Study of the basic concepts in German. Designed to develop basic ability in
pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in German. Enrollment
Requirement: GRMN 101.” (http://www.csusm.edu/catalog/documents/2016-
2018/csusm-2016-2018-catalog.pdf)

At this level, you should already know that learning another language requires your time,
commitment, and curiosity.

Upon the successful completion of this course, you can expect to have continued the
expansion of your basic-level knowledge of German, reflected in your vocabulary, your
listening comprehension and verbal communications skills, your ability to read authentic
written material, your individual writing skills, your grammar skills, and your increased
understanding about the German language and cultural and historical aspects of countries
where German is spoken.

Students who have successfully completed this course should be able to comprehend and
communicate in the target language both orally and in written form on various real-life
situational topics on a basic level. Such topics include expressing salutations and farewells,
useful expressions related to social situations, travel, recreational activities, parts of the
body and health, and describing aspects of the above mentioned topics; understanding or
interpreting directions, short audio or visual examples, menus, and so on.

The successful acquisition of these tools will assist you in using German in everyday
situations with more ease and confidence, as well as prepare you for the next level of your
language acquisition.

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 1

Prerequisites:

In order to participate in this course, the successful completion of German 101 (or the
equivalent), or 1 year of high school level German completed within the last 2 years, is
required.

Required Materials:

Di Donato, Clyde. Deutsch, Na Klar! 7th Edition. Published by McGraw-Hill. In addition to this
textbook, you are required to purchase “McGraw-Hill Education Connect” access for a 1-
Term Access Card for the textbook (Deutsch, Na Klar by Di Donato and Clyde, 7th Edition).
All students will need to purchase “Connect” access in order to participate in this course.
You are not required to have a print text; if you have purchased a used textbook, please
note that you will still need to purchase an Access Card. “Connect” access codes are
available in the university bookstore.

Should you choose to purchase a print version of the text to use with your Connect access, a
print-upgrade is available via “McGraw-Hill Education Connect”. This will be in the form of
a complete binder-ready color version of the text.

Units that will be covered in this course will include Chapters 6 through 9 of the textbook.
Any modifications or additional topics will be shared with the class in a timely manner.

Reliable access to Cougar Courses for this course is required. Additional materials and
resources will likely be made available using this medium.

Course Requirements, Attendance Policy, and Grading Standards:

Your attendance is imperative to successfully completing this course. It is expected that you
attend all classes, on time, twice a week, every week for the entire duration of the course. If
you need to be absent, please send an email to me before class. You are expected to make
up all missed work within specified timeframes, if permitted. Please contact me via email
or in person to make arrangements. Homework must be completed on time, as assigned.
Please present homework assignments per request.

Six absences or more throughout the semester will result in automatic failure of the course.

Credit Hour Policy:

Per CSUSM’s guidelines, the expectation of your devotion to this subject outside of class is a
minimum of two hours outside of class doing work for each credit hour of the course. As
daunting as this may seem, this is a goal that can easily be accomplished by a committed
student!

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 2

Grading Scale:

Evaluation of your performance in the class will be based on a scale of 1000 points (1000
points = 100%).
Class Participation – 300 points
Homework – 100 points
5 Tests (Written and Oral) – 400 points
Cumulative Exam – 200 points

There will be no final exam.

Late Work or Missed Exams:

Circumstances beyond our control occasionally occur. While I am always able to empathize
with you regarding these situations on a personal level, it is important for all of us to
remember that attending and participating in class are requirements that you are expected
to fulfill twice a week. If you are unable to attend a class, please let me know as soon as you
can. Be sure to submit your homework assignments to me (electronically) on the same day
as the class.

Late work will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis. You will need to consult with me
to make arrangements for any make-up work that will be accepted.

Because of the tight schedule that we have throughout the semester, the opportunity to
make up a missed exam or test must also be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Authorized make-up exams or tests must be taken outside of regular class meeting times.
These times will need to be scheduled with me, and must be completed within the specified
timeframe given, in order to be accepted. Please note that the format of make-up tests or
exams will likely differ from the original test or exams given in class.

CSUSM’s All-University Writing Requirement:

The expectations for the amount of writing in this course are in accordance with CSUSM’s
writing requirement policy. You will be expected to write at least 2,500 words in this
course this semester. (Imagine how expansive your German vocabulary will be!)

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 3

Course Schedule (Subject to Change):

Because this course is designed to move at a pace that best suits class participants
collectively, visit Cougar Courses each week (and preceding each class) to review the
schedule, anticipated activities, homework, and the latest updates regarding this course.

Week 1 Week 8
28.08/30.08 16.10/18.10
Week 2 Week 9
04.09/06.09 23.10/25.10
Week 3 Week 10
11.09/13.09 30.10/01.11
Week 4 Week 11
18.09/20.09 06.11/08.11
Week 5 Week 12
25.09/27.09 13.11/15.11
Week 6 Week 13
2.10/4.10 20.11/No class 22.11 (Thanksgiving Day)
Week 7 Week 14
9.10/11.10 27.11/29.11
Week 15
04.12/06.12

Academic Honesty:

CSUSM’s CHABSS’ Student Academic Policy is in full effect in this classroom. Be sure to
review this policy in detail. To summarize, any work that you present or submit must be
your own. Should you use any other sources, these must be properly and clearly identified.
Do not use any computer or app translations under any circumstances! No cheating will be
tolerated. You will only cheat yourself – and your classmates – of a great opportunity to
acquire and improve a new skill. Any cases where violations of this commitment to the
Academic Honesty policy have been determined are subject to departmental review.

Read the full Academic Honesty Policy here:

http://www.csusm.edu/policies/active/documents/Academic_Honesty_Policy.html

Classroom Etiquette:

CSUSM is committed to creating a safe place of tolerance, social justice, and academic
integrity. For this reason, discrimination, harassment, disrespect, dishonesty, intolerance,
or any dishonorable acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. It is my goal to
facilitate a classroom that is as welcoming, comfortable, friendly, and conducive to learning
as possible, and I thank you in turn for your support in making this class a safe, trusting
environment where everyone has an opportunity to learn.

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 4

Excepting accommodations that are in accordance with ADA requirements, no recordings
(neither auditory nor visual) are permitted in the classroom without the explicit written
permission of the instructor.

ADA Statement:

If you have a disability or have specific needs in order to participate in this class, consult me
as soon as possible so that these accommodations can be met.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations must be approved for
services by providing appropriate and recent documentation to the Office of Disabled
Student Services (DSS). This office is located in Craven Hall 4300, and can be contacted by
phone at (760) 750-4905, or TTY (760) 750-4909, and by email sent to dss@csusm.edu.
Students authorized by DSS to receive reasonable accommodations should meet with me
during my office hours or by appointment to ensure confidentiality.

Course Policies and Expectations

Student Responsibilities:

1. Dabei sein! Show up, both physically and mentally. When you come to class, arrive
prepared with your Connect Access, notes, homework, and all materials. Be sure to arrive
on time; attendance will be taken each class. Use restrooms before class and refrain from
using your cell phone in class. Remember that class participation and attendance are
integral parts of the course that make this course more fun and you more successful.

2. Sagen Sie etwas! Speak up. This class is all about communicating! We’re all
human, and we’re bound to make mistakes, so don’t worry about not being perfect! This
classroom should be a safe, fun space for everyone to experiment, to grow, to TRY! Take
advantage of the opportunity and make the most of this course by participating! Ask and
answer questions during each class meeting, and be an active participant in class and group
activities. Class Participation is worth as much as Homework and the Comprehensive Exam
put together! (See “Grading Scale” for more information.)

3. Die Hausaufgaben müssen gemacht werden! There’s no way around it – if you

want to be successful in this course, you’re going to have to do your homework. Remember
that you’ll be assessed for what YOU can do (Google can’t “help” you on an exam!). You’ll
need to check Cougar Courses for homework assignments and their due dates, which are
initially announced in class.

4. Wie die Zeit vergeht! Tempus fugit! Because time waits for no one, unexcused
tardies can have a negative impact on our class’ collective learning experience. Because of
this, unexcused tardies may have a negative effect on your class participation grade. Please
arrive on time! If you know that a potential conflict may impede your ability to arrive on

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 5

time, please consult me in advance if at all possible. I will do my best to afford you the
same courtesy.

5. Sich gegenseitig respektieren! Please be respectful. Let’s all make an effort to

give our class a sense of community. Let’s work together to help one another.

Instructor Responsibilities:

1. “Hier bin ich Mensch – hier darf Ich’s sein.” – Goethe It is my responsibility to
cultivate a safe learning environment so that all of us can learn in a fun, honest, open
environment. We are all unique individuals, and in this classroom we should all be free to
express ourselves as we are without inhibition.

2. Können Sie mir bitte helfen? Help me know how to help you. I truly value your
honest, respectful opinion. One way to learn and grow together is by genuinely
communicating with each other our expectations and by giving constructive feedback. I
will invite you to participate in a survey at some point during the semester. It’s my goal to
understand your needs and do my best to incorporate them in our class whenever possible.

3. Ihnen Bescheid geben. If, for whatever reason, I am unable to attend a class, I will
do my best to give you advance notice. Like you, I have a commute, I have other
responsibilities, I am human and life is unpredictable. Should I be unable to attend a class
meeting please check Cougar Courses for updates.

4. Ich bin für Sie da! I am here for you as both an instructor and a student (and a
huge fan!) of German. I’m excited that you’ve chosen to learn this language, and I take my
responsibility to help you learn more about this language and culture very seriously. If you
need to speak with me, reach out! I suggest email as being the primary source of making
initial contact, but I will be in my office during office hours and you can make an
appointment with me either my email or in person. I look forward to getting to know you
and working with you. And above all,

Viel Spaß beim Deutsch lernen!

Syllabus: GRMN 102 Fall 2018 D. Shively 6