home German 105 homepage Grading procedures
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Meg Brown Faculty Hall, 4A-7 Tel. 762-4526
OFFICE HOURS: MWF: 10:30-12:30; MW: 1:30-2:30; T-Th: 12:30-1:00; and by appointment
E-MAIL: meg.brown@murraystate.edu
WEB PAGE: http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/meg.brown/index.htm
I. TITLE: Introduction to German Culture
II. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
--Böll, Heinrich. The Clown. Leila Vennewitz, trans. New York:
Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd., 1977.
--The German Way. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Passport Books, 1997.
-- To be obtained from the Professor: Kapler, Arno and Adriane Grevel,
eds. Facts about Germany. Kathleen Müller-Rostin,
trans. Frankfurt am Main: Societäts-Verlag, 1996.
III. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
A survey of the contemporary culture of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
with emphasis on the values, behavioral characteristics, social and political
systems and achievements of the German-speaking people. Conducted in English.
IV. PURPOSE:
To develop an understanding of the history, geography, political and social
systems and culture of Germany.
V. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
There are two major goals for this course. The first is to gain a working
understanding of the culture of the Federal Republic of Germany. Secondly,
the study of the culture of the German people will serve as a kind of case
study which will help students acquire general approaches to culture and,
by doing so, to increase their understanding, appreciation, and tolerance
of other people of the world.
VI. CONTENT OUTLINE:
This course familiarizes the student with a broad cross section of German
culture. Included in the list of topics to be treated will be its geography,
historical highlights, cultural and intellectual heritage, and social institutions
such as education, politics and government, mass media, and economy. Although
the cultures of the German-speaking people of Austria and Switzerland will
be included, the course will concentrate on the reunited Federal Republic
of Germany.
VII. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Students are expected to read all assigned reading materials, to prepare
homework assignments on time, and to participate in class discussions.
The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion, multi-media presentations,
internet assignments, and student presentations. In discussions students
will be expected to make comparisons between German and American culture.
Oral individual and group assignments may include in-class presentations
and debate-type discussions. ***Late assignments cannot be accepted late
except by prior arrangement. No credit can be given for assignments turned
in late.*** Assignments must be ready at the beginning of the class period.
VIII. FIELD, CLINICAL, LABORATORY EXPERIENCES: Periodically, videos will be assigned to be viewed either in the Language and Culture Lab (FH 403) or checked out from the Media Center downstairs in the Waterfield Library.
IX. RESOURCES:
Library materials, the Internet, e-mail. Students should read (available,
free of charge) The Week in Germany, a weekly publication by the German
Information Center in New York, Tel. 212-888-9840 (German Information Center,
950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022). To subscribe electronically, send
an e-mail to listserv@dartmouth.edu with the message sub gic-e
followed by your name (first name, last name). The Web site is http://www.germany-info.org
. Occasional homework assignments may come from The Week in Germany.
Students
are encouraged to attend movies in the Cinema International program as
well as activities planned by the Foreign Language Club and Alpha Mu Gamma
(the honor society for foreign languages). Other resources include videos
in the Language Lab (FH 403), and materials on reserve in the Library.
This semester students will need to attend either the Humanistic Studies
Forum on February 11 at 7:00 in FH 208, or the Cinema International movie
The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, April 2, 3, or
4 at 7:30 in the Curris Center theater. Both are free of charge.
X. GRADING PROCEDURES:
100 pts. Reports (oral), discussion leading
200 pts. Position Research papers (2 x 3-pages)
200 pts. Quizzes, Active class participation, and homework
300 pts. Written exams
200 pts. Final exam
1000 pts. There will be no make ups for missed exams or quizzes unless
at the discretion of the instructor in most extreme cases as determined
by the instructor.
XI. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance at all class meetings is expected. Absences will affect your grade. Because of the emphasis on class participation and discussion, attendance is crucial. Our activities depend upon the full participation of each class member. Points will be deducted from your participation grade for each class missed. You are allowed to miss up to 2 class meetings for illness and family emergencies only. Missing one-fourth of the class meetings for any reason (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade. Unusual genuine documented emergencies or official documented Murray State absences will be evalu-ated case by case by the instructor. AN ABSENCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR BEING UNPREPARED! If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to find out the assignment and to come to the next class prepared.
XII. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
1. It is the responsibility of every student to be informed about the collegiate
Academic Integrity Policy. Cheating in whatever
form constitutes academic dishonesty.
2. Copies of the policy are available in: CIV Student Guide, Classroom
bulletin boards, Department of Foreign Language
Office, Dean of Humanistic Studies Office, & the College of Humanistic
Studies Home Page.
3. Your signature on every assignment, quiz, and exam represents a pledge
that you adhere to this policy.
4. I expect students to abide by the highest ethical standards.
XIII. PREREQUISITES: None.