Course Description and Goals:

This course is a second-year college level course on German language and culture. It is designed for students who have completed German 4 with a grade of C or higher, or the equivalent.

There are two main goals of this course, first, to strengthen the linguistic and communicative skills you learned in beginning German, and second, to participate in an intercultural exchange with university students in Germany in order to learn first-hand about student life in a German-speaking country. To accomplish the first goal, we will do a systematic review of grammar using the Kaleidoskop textbook. While we will continue to focus on listening comprehension and speaking during class time, we will also be reading authentic texts (both printed and on-line), and concentrating on writing coherent, organized essays. The materials in Kaleidoskop will be supplemented by activities in the Web-based program netLearn. The second goal of integrating the study of culture into a language course will be met by a unique opportunity for direct interaction with German university students in a class on "Intercultural Learning."

Both of the above goals are oriented toward the simple, long-term goal of our language program: If you were to find yourself in a German-speaking country after six quarters of German at UCSB, either as an exchange student or as a visitor, we would want you to be able to interact and communicate in German with relative ease and confidence, knowing that you have basic language skills as well as some measure of cultural understanding. Toward this end, we are using a content-based instructional (CBI) approach. It is based on the principle that successful language learning occurs when students are presented with material in a meaningful, contextualized form, with the primary focus on acquiring information and knowledge. We have thus incorporated a number of Internet activities on the theme of study abroad into the course. The general content of study abroad is the "organizing principle" and focuses your attention primarily on meaning and communication.

An overall goal is to contribute to your education in a broader sense, namely to help you develop critical thinking and discourse skills. We hope this can be achieved through the reading and writing activities in the course as well as through the intercultural exchange, where you will be asked to reflect on your own culture and to engage in meaningful dialogue with students in another culture.

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Course Materials:

Kaleidoskop, Moeller, J. et al., 5th ed., 1998
Kaleidoskop Übungsbuch, Hoecherl-Alden, G. & Adolph, W.

netLearn: http://www.gss.ucsb.edu/projects/netlearn/

Intercultural Exchange with the University of Kassel: http://www.gss.ucsb.edu/projects/exchange/

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Tips on Studying a Foreign Language (PDF file):

Though you may sometimes feel that you have a mental block or even lack the aptitude for learning foreign languages, you can learn a second language IF you are willing to put in the necessary time. Here are some practical suggestions for studying effectively, overcoming anxiety, and learning the grammar and skills necessary for success in college foreign language classes (adapted from The University of Texas Learning Center's page http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1705.html).

1. STUDY EVERY DAY. A foreign language course is different from any other course you take. Language learning is cumulative: you cannot put it off until the weekend. Study at least an hour for every class hour if you want an A or B.

2. TRY DISTRIBUTING YOUR STUDY TIME in 15- to 30-minute periods throughout the day. Focus on a different task each time: vocabulary now, grammar next, etc. For example spend 15 minutes learning new vocabulary, 15 minutes learning new grammar, 15-30 minutes reading or writing ... so you'll at least have looked at all of the assignments.

3. SPEAK ALOUD whenever you are reading or practicing. Silent reading seldom helps you memorize or internalize new material.

4. ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN CLASS WITHOUT FAIL -- even if you are not well prepared. Class time is your primary opportunity for listening comprehension and speaking practice. Learn the grammar and vocabulary outside of class in order to make the most of class time. If possible, spend a few minutes "warming up" before each class by speaking or reading the language.

5. EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY. Since a lot of our work will involve your own responses and reactions to things, keep a notebook of words and expressions that relate to your own interests. Writing can also be a helpful part of memorization. We highly recommend that you write down important vocabulary (not only single words, but phrases and expressions as well).

6. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE CLASS. Get to know your classmates so you will feel you are among friends. Visit your instructor during office hours to get acquainted.

7. LEARN ENGLISH GRAMMAR IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW IT. Grammar is the skeleton of a language, its basic structure: you must learn it. Purchase the recommended text English Grammar for Students of German by Zorach and Melin.

8. HAVE PATIENCE with yourself, with others in the class, with the instructor, and with the materials. Develop a good attitude; do not give into frustration. Set personal goals for what you want to learn. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them.

9. GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Talk with your teacher. Visit the CLAStutor. Form study groups among class members. Don't wait!

10. CLICK HERE for additional tips on Reading and Writing (PDF file).

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You will be evaluated on the following:

Departmental Policy Regarding Attendance: you are
allowed 3 unexcused absences per quarter. Each additional
absence will lower your grade by one step, e.g. if your grade
is a B, and you were absent 4 times (total), your final grade
would be a B-. If you were absent 6 times, your final grade
would be a C.

NOTE: In order to go on to German 6, you must have a
grade of C or better in German 5. Note also that if you take
the class P/NP, you must earn a C or better to pass. Grades of C- and
below are NP (not passing).

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Syllabus (Outline of Quarter)

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Deutschsprachige Nachrichten auf dem Internet

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©Dorothy M. Chun, 2002-2003
Dept. of Germanic, Slavic and Semitic Studies
Last modified by DMC 03/15/0303