Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - GERM 202 D100

Intermediate German II (3)

Class Number: 5969

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    GERM 201 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Continues the work of GERM 201. Considerable emphasis will be placed on reading, oral and written command of the language.

COURSE DETAILS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION – Remote Instruction + 1 hr. asynchronous

German 202 continues to develop basic communication skills in German. The course will prepare you for a stay or visit to Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Topics will include but are not limited to: transportation/mobility, hotel stays, German education system, TV/media, and entertainment. Throughout the course you will engage in basic social conversations, read letters, blogs, magazine articles, and non-fictional text, as well as write creatively. Each of the four modules covered will provide opportunities to communicate in German in real-life situations for real purposes. After completion of the course you should have attained the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

GERM 202 is intended for students who have completed the prerequisite GERM 201, or who have an equivalent proficiency (A2.1 level), however acquired. Students who have not taken GERM 201 but have an equivalent proficiency in the language (A1 or A2.1 level) are required to contact the chair for a placement test: cmhein@sfu.ca 

PARTICIPATION and ATTENDANCE

PLEASE NOTE: this class is going to be taught synchronously via Zoom during the set scheduled class days and times with one additional hour dedicated asynchronously to assignments. You must enable both your audio and video for this class as learning German requires you to fully participate. Regular class attendance and active participation are of vital importance in language acquisition and will be recorded and therefore be reflected in your final grade. Your mark will also be based on the quality of participation. Absences will reduce your participation grade and excessive absences will result in not receiving any credit for the participation segment. Except for emergencies, excused absences must be cleared with your instructor ahead of time. It is your responsibility to catch up on any missed materials.

Grading

  • Active oral participation + regular attendance (10%), assigned written preparation (=10%) 20%
  • Oral test 10%
  • 4 Module tests (10% each) 40%
  • 3 reflective Portfolios (5% each) 15%
  • Video Project 7%
  • Essay 8%

NOTES:

HOMEWORK / ASSIGNED WRITTEN PREPARATION

You will have homework each day the class meets. It is your responsibility to prepare assigned reading and written exercises, to memorize vocabulary, to study the grammar in a timely manner. Late homework will NOT be accepted.    

ORAL TESTS

Towards the end of the semester, you will arrange a test time with your instructor. This comprehnsive oral test will be conducted in German and will last for about 10 minutes.

VIDEO/ESSAY 

Before the end of the semester your instructor will assign you a topic for a video presentation and an essay. The video presentation (2-3 min.) will be done in German. You will be graded on your ability to speak freely in German, on your use of certain grammar structures, your comprehensibility, and your choice of vocabulary. The essay will also be written in German (350 words) and will be graded on grammar, style and content.

REFLECTIVE PORTFOLIO

After each of the three modules, you will submit a document that describes in simple German what you have learned in the different chapters. You will use photos and videos to illustrate your progress focussing on vocabulary, grammar and cultural elements. This portfolio is a reflection on your learning progress and will be graded for completion.

MISSED EXAM POLICY

 If you must miss an exam (i.e. module test) because of illness or extenuating circumstances, you are required to contact the instructor prior to the exam. You may notify the instructor by e-mail or leave a message at the office. When you return to class, you will need to bring a note from your medical doctor specifying and justifying the date of your absence. Extenuating circumstances are defined as unusual circumstances beyond your control. There will be no make-up exams. Instead, the percentage will be added onto the other remaining exams. If you do not inform the instructor prior to the test and do not provide a doctor’s note, or if you miss an exam due to something other than illness or extenuating circumstances, the missed exam equals 0%.

HELPFUL HINTS

Practice German frequently through homework, reading, the Internet, participation in class, or study groups with friends. Seek assistance the moment you sense you are falling behind in the course. Discuss work with fellow classmates. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask questions and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.  

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity is essential to the pursuit of learning in a university. As a student at SFU you commit to: “not engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception” (eg. Google translate, unauthorized sharing of information, use of mobile phones or other devices, notes, books, websites…, providing answers to other students…) during any type of exam (SFU Policy U32:23). SFU treats cases of cheating very seriously. All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated.

Every student begins the term with an “A”. It is up to each of you individually to KEEP this grade

GERM 202 may be applied towards the Certificate in German Studies

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

USEFUL LINKS:  

SFU German website: http://www.sfu.ca/~cmhein/
Menschen website: https://www.hueber.de/menschen
Quizlet:https://quizlet.com/class/16056005/
Quia: quia.com

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED TEXT (also available in digital format here: shop.hueber.de)

Coursebook: Habersack, Pude, Specht, Menschen A2.2, Kursbuch, Hueber Verlag, 2013, ISBN: 978-3-19-301902-8 (ISBN for digital book: 978-3-19-038602-4)

Workbook: Glas-Peters, Pude, Breitsameter, Menschen A2.2 Arbeitsbuch, Hueber Verlag, 2013, ISBN: 978-3-19-311902-5 (ISBN for digital book: 978-3-19-048602-1)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).