(GER 435) Fall 2015 - Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University, Languages, Cultures, and Communication
Contemporary German Culture (GER 435)
Fall 2015
GER 435.001
Office: Ferguson G77
Montag und Donnerstag 2:00 – 3:15
Ferguson G77
Professor: Dr. Louise Stoehr
Office Hours:
Phone: 468 2167
9:00 – 10:00 AM M-W-F
10:00 – 11:00 AM TU-TH
and by appointment
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description
Contemporary German Culture is an advanced course that presents the political, historical,
institutional and social foundation upon which the Federal Republic of Germany is based and
examines current events in light of these topics. The course is intended for students who have
successfully completed the first six semesters of German study.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Language Competence: Students will speak, listen, read, and write in the target language.
2.
Cultural Competence: Students will be able to understand the cultural context of
communication in the target language
3.
Critical Thinking and Expression: Students will analyze language, literary texts, and other
cultural products and practices using sound thinking and clear expression.
4.
Transferable Skills: Students will connect academic experience to personal and professional
goals.
General Education Coure Curriculum Objectives/Outcomes
This is not a core curriculum course, and no core curriculum objectives are measured.
Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of Contemporary German Culture, you will understand the German political system
and the principles upon which the Federal Republic was founded and that are incorporated into
the Basic Law. You will be able to explain how 20th-Century German history has helped to form
today’s Germany, how the European Union came into existance, and the role of Germany in the
EU. Finally, Contemporary German Culture will help you to understand the diversity present
contemporary Germany and how the principles of the Basic Law are manifested in daily life of
citizens and residents in Germany. You will become familiar with Germany’s leading news
organizations, develop an understanding of what type of national and international events are
considered important, and develop awareness of how German citizens view their own country as
well as the world outside their borders.
Course Guidelines
Contemporary German Culture requires a moderate amount of text book reading, regular viewing
of daily newscasts on German television through the Internet, as well as reading selected news
stories from German newspaper web sites. You should expect to spend about two to three
hours outside of class preparing for each hour of class meeting.
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Stephen F. Austin State University, Languages, Cultures, and Communication
Contemporary German Culture (GER 435)
Fall 2015
GER 435.001
Montag und Donnerstag 2:00 – 3:15
Ferguson G77
In addition to the readings listed in the calendar below, for each class meeting, you are
expected to bring in updates on news items that you are following in at least two of the four
major newspapers included in the “Required Texts” and at one of the news broadcasts listed in
“Required Texts.” Be prepared to discuss the similarities and differences in how these items are
presented by the different media outlets, and how the coverage of them compares with what
you may know from the US news media.
Our class meetings are devoted to discussion and analysis of the assigned readings and news
items we follow throughout the semester. To facilitate our discussions, you will need to take
notes on the news broadcasts as well as newspaper articles that you are following.
Required Texts
Joachim Schote: Orientierungskurs. Grundwissen Politik, Geschichte und Gesellschaft in
Deutschland. Cornelsen, 2014.
Course packet.
The well-known German newspapers Frankfurter Rundschau, Süddeutsche Zeitung, TAZ, and
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung are all available through the Internet.
The television news report Tagesschau is available for seven days after initial broadcast in
Germany through the ARD Mediathek and Heute Journal is available for seven days after
broadcast through the ZDF Mediathek.
Papers/Projects
In this course, you will be learning about life in Germany in a way that should prepare one to
live there and to be an informed resident who understands the political structures, history of
the region, and how to integrate fully into life in German society. For each module we cover,
you will write an essay or create a presentation (Multimedia, Prezi, PowerPoint or similar) that
clearly explains the most salient information a new immigrant to Germany would need in order
to most easily understand the culture and become integrated into it.
Grading: Testing and Evaluation Criteria
A. (25%) Homework and Class Preparation count 25% toward your final course grade.
B.
(25%) Quizzes count 25% toward your final course grade.
C. (25%) Contributions to class discussions count 25% toward your total course grade.
D. (25%) Papers/Projects counts 25% toward your total course grade.
Policies
Class Preparation
Class preparation includes all activities necessary to participate in class discussions. Class
preparation includes assigned activities that must be completed outside of the class
meetings . All preparation for each class meeting is to be completed before each
class meeting.
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Stephen F. Austin State University, Languages, Cultures, and Communication
Contemporary German Culture (GER 435)
Fall 2015
GER 435.001
Montag und Donnerstag 2:00 – 3:15
Ferguson G77
Papers
All papers are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the day which they are
due. Late assignments, if accepted, will be penalized an entire grade (i.e., an “A” paper
would automatically be recorded as a “B,” etc.).
Attendance
Regular attendance to all class meetings is expected and required. You will be allowed a
maximum of two excused absences without incurring a penalty. Only written medical
excuses, proof of participation in a university-sponsored activity or proof of a family
emergency are considered legitimate excused absences. Beginning with the third absence, a
penalty of 0.5% will be levied on the earned final grade.
Possible exemptions may be made in the case of students who are hospitalized or who
must stay at home on the advice of a physician due to an extended illness or in the case
of students who must leave the university for a family emergency. You will have to provide
proof of need for such absences.
Tardiness
The eqivalent of ½ an excused absence will be counted for each time a student reports
late to class. After 4 tardies, each additional tardy will be counted as an absence, with the
equivalent consequences on the final grade.
Food
You are will be developing your German-language speaking skills in ILA 315. Please do not
bring food or drink into the classroom. (One exception is a closed water bottle that is
stored in your book bag or other tote.)
Academic Integrity (A-9.1)
Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members
promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of
academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and
plagiarism.
Definition of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited
to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on
a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations,
on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating
or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were
your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work
when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been
purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3)
incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due
credit.
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Stephen F. Austin State University, Languages, Cultures, and Communication
Contemporary German Culture (GER 435)
Fall 2015
GER 435.001
Montag und Donnerstag 2:00 – 3:15
Ferguson G77
Please read the complete policy at http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp
Withheld Grades Semester Grades Policy (A-54)
Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic
chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course
work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one
calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade
automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms, the WH
will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of
computing the grade point average.
Students with Disabilities
To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students
with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building,
and Room 325, 468-3004 / 468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once
verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary
aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your
accommodations. For additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/.
Acceptable Student Behavior
Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the
ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (see the Student Conduct
Code, policy D-34.1). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who
disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial,
academic, or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including
electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full
discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. Students who do
not attend class regularly or who perform poorly on class projects/exams may be referred to
the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources
or other assistance that is available to help SFA students succeed.
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Kalender, GER 435: Contemporary German Culture
Tag 1: 31 August
☐Introduction
Tag 2: 3 September
Modul Eins: Politik in der Demokratie
Feiertag
7 September
Tag 3: 10 September
Tag 4: 14 September
Tag 5: 17 September
Tag 6: 21 September
Tag 7: 24 September
Tag 8: 28 September
Tag 9: 1 Oktober
Tag 10: 5 Oktober
Tag 11: 8 Oktober
Tag 12: 12 Oktober
Tag 13: 15 Oktober
Tag 14: 19 Oktober
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Herbst 2015
to the course.
Schote: „Politik allgemein”, S. 8-9
Schote: „Die Würde des Menschen”, S. 10-12
Packet, S. 48: „Polizei in Deutschland”
☐Tag
der Arbeit
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Schote: „Vier Grundprinzipien”, S 10-12
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Schote: “Bund, Länder und Gemeinden”, S. 14-15
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Schote: „Die Verfassungsorgane”, S. 16-18
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Packet, S. 18: „Schulpflicht”
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Schote: „Wahlen in Deutschland”, S. 22-23
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Schote: „Soziale Sicherheit”, S. 24-26
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Schote: „Öffentlichkeit in der Demokratie”, S. 28
Packet, S. 47: „Die Grundrechte”
Packet, S. 49: „Fragen an die Deutschen”
Packet, S. 29: „Der Bund”
Packet, S. 30-31: „Die Bundesländer”
Packet, S. 31: „Die Städte und Gemeinden”
Packet, S. 32: „Die drei Gewalten”
Schote: „Unsere Pflichten”, S. 19
Packet, S. 16-21: „Bürgerpflichten”
Packet, S. 19: „Steuern bezahlen”
Packet, S. 20: „Umwelt Schutz – Recht und Pflicht”
Schote: „Staatssymbole”, S. 20
Schote: „Die Parteien”, S. 21
Packet, S. 33: „Parteien, Verbände und Initiativen”
Packet, S. 23: „Wahlen und Ausländerbeiräte”
[RMMLA]
Packet, S. 41: „Das Arbeitsrecht”
Packet, S. 42: „Die Grundprinzipien der Sozialversicherung”
Schote: „Am Wohnort”, S. 27
Packet, S. 50: „Notruf und Beratung”
Schote: „Interessenverbände”, S. 29
Schote: „Engagement am Wohnort”, S. 30
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Kalender, GER 435: Contemporary German Culture
Tag 15: 22 Oktober
Tag 16: 26 Oktober
Tag 17: 29 Oktober
Tag 18: 2 November
Herbst 2015
Modul Zwei: Geschichte und Verantwortung
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Schote: „Gestern und heute”, S. 34
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Schote: „Die Jahre der Teilung”, S. 39-41
Schote: „Der Nationalsozialismus und seine Folgen”, S. 35-37
Packet, S. 4-5: „Geschichte in Bildern und Texten” [inclusive „I”]
Schote: „Deutschland seit 1989”, S. 42-44
Packet, S. 5: „Geschichte in Bildern und Texten” [„J”]
Paper/Presentation on Modul Eins
Packet, S. 6: „Der 9. November – Vier Tage in der deutschen
Geschichte”
Tag 19: 5 November
Tag 20: 9 November
Tag 21: 12 November
Tag 22: 16 November
Tag 23: 19 November
Tag 24: 23 November
Feiertag
20 November
Tag 25: 30 November
Tag 26: 3 Dezember
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Packet, S. 7: „Als die DDR verschwand”
Schote: „Deutschland in Europa”, S. 45-56
Packet, S. 8: „Der Weg nach Europa”
Modul Drei: Mensch und Gesellschaft
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Schote: „Alltagskultur”, S. 50-51
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Schote: „Die Kindererziehung, Elternhaus und Schule”, S. 58-59
Schote: „Zwischen den Kulturen”, S. 52-53
Schote: „Zusammenleben und Familie”, S. 54-55
Packet, S. 36-37: „Lebensformen”
Schote: „Gleichberechtigung und Gleichbehandlung”, S. 56-57
Paper/Presentation on Modul Zwei
Schote: „Weiterbildung”, S. 60
Packet, S. 45: „Erwachsenenbildung und Weiterbildung”
Packet, S. 45: „Der Nutzen der Weiterbildung”
Schote: „Wir werden immer älter”, S. 61
Schote: „Interkulturelle Kompetenz”, S. 62-63
☐ Schote: „Zusammenleben in der Nachbarschaft”,
☐ Packet, S. 21: „Zusammenleben”
☐ Schote: „Recht im Alltag”, S. 65
☐Erntedankfest
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Schote: „Religiöse Vielfalt”, S. 66-67
Packet, S. 23: „Wie wichtig ist Religion”
Packet, S. 24: „Religion”
Packet, S. 25: „Religionsfreiheit”
Schote: „Die Zeit”, S. 68
Packet, S. 11: „Die Deutschen und ihre Zeit ”
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S. 64
Kalender, GER 435: Contemporary German Culture
Tag 27: 7 Dezember
Tag 28: 10 Dezember
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Packet, S. 12: „Wie lange machen Sie was”
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Packet, S. 52-53: „Deutschlands Beste”
Herbst 2015
Packet, S. 13: „Zeitmanagement”
Packet, S. 13: „Arbeitszeit und Freizeit”
Packet, S. 15: „Die Sprache und die Zeit”
Packet, S. 54: „Die deutsche Sprache” und „Deutsche Literatur”
Packet, S. 55: „Neu-Deutsch, Denglisch und so weiter”
Packet, S. 55: „Alles deutsch – oder was?”
Packet, S. 56-57: „In Deutschland kann man…”
Der Orientierungskurs – Eine Bilanz
Schote: S. 72-73
18 Dezember
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Paper/Presentation on Module Drei during finals week
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