Deutsch 7-8
Course Objective: The primary objective of the course is to help students develop a basic understanding of a variety of pieces of German literature, learning about German, Austrian, and Swiss history and the development of the German language as well as contemporary Germany, Austria and Switzerland, while continuing practice in spoken German language and reviewing grammar when needed or seeing fit.
Curriculum: Students will be issued a copy of Deutsch Aktuell 3 by the bookstore. This text is an excellent source of supplemental reading and as a vocabulary/grammar resource, but will not be used during class time. We will also be using the books Neue Blickwinkel and Entdeckungsreise D-A-CH for some of the units.
During this school year, we will learn about the development of the German language and dialects, German history, Geography, modern German society and Politics, Art and Literature, and we will learn about the German element in Belleville in the 19th century which will be followed by a field trip to German sites in Belleville.
We will also learn or review some higher-level grammatical forms, such as relative pronouns, infinitive phrases, passive speech, adverbial phrases, and the subjunctive mood.
Journal Writing: Twice a month you will be required to write an entry in a journal. These entries must half a page in length and will be graded for completion. You are required to have a journal notebook that will stay in the classroom at all times.
Culture Projects: These projects are designed to help you experience new aspects of German, Austrian and Swiss Culture. You need to earn 90 points per semester (up to 100 points may be earned), half or two-thirds of the point by the end of the second triad.
There are many project options, and you may accumulate the points in any combination you like. Some projects specify that they may be completed in small groups. Please read carefully. Not all projects have the same sized groups. If a project does not mention group size, then it must be completed individually
Grading:
Grades will be given on a points system:
Homework Points = 5-20 points
Quiz Points = 25-50 points
Test Points* = 100-150 points
*including the Semester Exam
Projects/Skits = 50-100 points
Culture Projects = 90 points
Journal Writings = 20 points
Grading Scale: A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 59 and below
Fall Semester
Selected readings of cultural and literary texts:
I. Die deutsche Sprache (17. August-18. September):
A. Deutsch und andere Sprachen- Die deutschsprachigen Länder und Regionen, die deutsche Sprache in Deutschland, Österreich, und der Schweiz, deutsche Dialekte, Denglisch, Sprachenpolitik, Sprache und Integration.
B. Peter Bichsel- Ein Tisch ist ein Tisch
C. Film: Schultze Gets the Blues- (mit Arbeitsheft)
D. Die Geschichte der deutschen Sprache
II. Das deutsche Element in Belleville, Illinois im 19. Jahrhundert mit Ausflug zum historischen Zentrum Bellevilles. (21. September-02. Oktober)
III. Geografie- Sehenswertes in drei Ländern, Berlin, Museen und Kurioses in Berlin, Wien, Bern, Flüsse und Seen, hoch, höher, am höchsten- Berge (05. Oktober- 23. Oktober)
IV. Relativpronomen (26. Oktober-30. Oktober)
V. Tourismus- Es gibt viel zu sehen, die Sonneninsel Usedom, Paddeltour- Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, die Romantische Straße, die Deutsche Märchenstraße, Winterurlaub, Mobilität, Autofahren in Österreich, durch das Herz der Schweiz, gemeinsam statt allein. (2. November-13. November)
VI. Da and wo compounds (16. November- 20. November)
VII. Menschen- Berühmte Gesichter, Senkrechtstarterinnen, drei Porträts, Zahlen, Zahlen, Zahlen, Herr Schmidt, der Durchschnittsdeutsche, so oder so ist das Leben…(23. Nobember- 11. Dezember)
The time frame of each section might vary due to class size and responsiveness.
The instructor reserves the right to change or adjust the syllabus at any time due to the needs of the students.
Academic Integrity Statement: This class holds the same standards of academic integrity as other classes at Saint Louis University. Complete, specific college guidelines are available at http://www.slu.edu/x12657.xml.