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Term 1: Semi-Intensive German Language Advanced 1
(Course # 1.5)
|
Type: |
A Track |
|
Language: |
German |
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Contact hours: |
72 Contact Hours |
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Credit Points: |
4 credit points |
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Capacity: |
15 |
Course description
Course Objectives
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the intermediate level of German. It aims to deepen your competence in speaking and writing and to expand and refine your vocabulary usage. Special attention is given to the development of communicative skills primarily for academic discussions. With the help of the course material you will obtain relevant contemporary information on the culture, politics and history of Germany as well as on other German-speaking countries. The in-class discussions are based on literary and non-literary texts and will enable you an exchange of information, ideas and views on an academic level. You will read a paper and then lead a in-class discussion. Particular emphasis is placed on your final paper.
Textbook
Erkundungen Deutsch als Fremdsprache C1, Anne Buscha, Susanne Raven and Gisela Linthout, Schubert Verlag, 2009. Literary texts and supplemental materials in consultation with the course instructor.
Daily Lesson and Excursion
Lessons take place Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. On two class days during the term you will go on a short course-related excursion.
Attendance
Each class consists of six teaching modules (45 minutes each). If you miss eight modules, your entire course grade will drop by one grade. Coming more than 20 minutes late counts as missing a module (this also applies to excursion days). If you come late to class six times (up to 20 minutes) your entire course grade will also drop by one grade. If you miss 20 modules or more, you will fail the class.
Active Participation
Participation includes more than simply coming to class and arriving on time. We expect committed and consistent interest in the acquisition of the German language. You will prove this by participating constructively and productively in the lessons and excursions, completing homework assignment and being prepared for every class. Every student is expected to respect the ideas and comments of his/her peers.
Evaluation
| Active participation and homework | 300 points |
| Oral presentation | 100 points |
| Essay | 100 points |
| Reflective journal | 100 points |
| Midterm exam | 150 points |
| Final project | 250 points (essay 200 + presentation 50) |
| Maximum Score | 1,000 points |
Oral Presentation
You will prepare a 10-minute oral presentation in which you introduce and explain a certain topic about Berlin. The focus and structure of you presentation can be discussed with your instructor. It is important that you prepare a handout for your peers listing unfamiliar vocabulary and posing questions and that you speak freely rather than reading the oral presentation.
Essay
In preparation for your final paper, you will compose a two-page essay in 12-font and double spaced. You will hand in a first and a second version. The total grading is as follows: essay = 100 points; for the second version you will received up to 50% of the missing points.
When writing your essay you will strive first and foremost for clarity (organization and style) and accuracy (grammar and syntax). You are encouraged to incorporate complex constructions, but please concentrate on syntactic and grammatical accuracy. Please apply these guidelines while proofreading your essay. In addition you will write a journal entry reflection on your essay and the writing process. Your instructor’s suggestions and comments will help you to expand your essay into a paper for the final project.
Reflective Journal
You will write a journal entry every week.. The instructor will propose topics for the journal from time to time, but you are expected to write in the journal independently. The purpose of the journal is to allow you to creatively and critically engage with the German language. You will be encouraged to reflect on your reactions to topics discussed in class and to systematically take care to self-correct. Some aspects for consideration may include:
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express a social critique
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to reflect and expand on specific concepts
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compare historical phenomena
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question personal belief systems
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problematize and discuss opposing approaches
The aim of the journal is to develop a self-reflective and critical perspective and to verbalize personal impressions and opinions in written form. Your instructor will collect these creative exercises and comment the content. However, no corrections will be made.
Midterm Exam
You will take a midterm exam consisting of the following sections: listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and composition based on course themes.
Final project
The creative project will be thematically linked to the course content and includes two components:
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A four-page written essay on a certain topic (font size 12, double-spaced) that meets standards of academic writing in form and content, i.e. in terms of references. Before you hand in the final paper, the course instructor will correct it and give you comments and suggestions for the final revision.
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A five-minute in-class presentation.
Official FUBiS Grading scale
|
Freie Universität Berlin grading |
Recommended US grade |
Points (German classes only)* |
|
1,0 |
A |
1000 – 970 |
|
1,3 |
A |
969 – 920 |
|
1,7 |
A- |
919 – 900 |
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2,0 |
B+ |
899 – 880 |
|
2,3 |
B |
879 – 830 |
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2,7 |
B- |
829 – 800 |
|
3,0 |
C+ |
799 – 780 |
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3,3 |
C |
779 – 730 |
|
3,7 |
C- |
729 – 700 |
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4,0 |
D |
699 – 680 |
|
failed (> 4,0) |
F |
< 680 |
* The final grade in the German language classes is determined by the points achieved at the end of the course.
Student profile
Advanced 1
