Department or Program: Foreign Languages
Course Number: 201 Number of Credits: 04
Course Title: Intermediate German I

Catalog Description: Further development of communications skills. Study of grammar essential to skills. Selected readings in German. Prerequisite: 102 or equivalent of three years of high school German. Offered yearly.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: Yes

This is a new course proposal: no (If this is a new course proposal, the WSU Curriculum Approval Form must also be completed as in the process prescribed by WSU Regulation 3-4.)

Department Contact Person for this course: Ronald Mazur, 319A Somsen

Email: rmazur@vax2,winona.edu

201 – INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I

This course fulfills three credits of the Unity and Diversity requirement in the Multicultural Perspectives area of the University Studies Program.

Course Outline:

Course: German 201 (4 S.H.)

Instructor: Dr. Ronald Mazur, Professor, Foreign Language Department,

Somsen 319A, (507) 457-5165

Textbook: Fokus Deutsch (Book 1). Robert di Donato, author. McGraw-Hill, 2000.

Description: Further development of communications skills. Study of grammar essential to skills. Selected readings in German. Prerequisite: 102 or equivalent of three years of high school German. Offered yearly.

Material to

Be covered: Chapters 1 through 12 (Book 1)

Tests: One after every 3 chapters. The final examination will be comprehensive (25% of term grade).

COURSE MATERIALS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES

1. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse patterns and similarities of thought, values, and beliefs as manifest in different cultures;

This course is a video-based course on German language and culture. The materials are used to teach the diversity and range of German language and culture in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The course integrates mini-dramas, authentic cultural and historical footage and personal testimonials by native speakers from all three countries to provide learners with an in-depth view of the German language and the history and the cultures of the societies that speak it.

A comparative approach is used throughout the course. The course consistently discusses the similarities between the three German speaking countries as well as the differences that distinguish each of them from the others.

2. Understand the extent to which cultural differences influence the interpretation and expression of events, ideas, and experiences;

The German-speaking peoples’ views of their common history, culture, and language as well as their common and diverse traditions are presented throughout the course. Their views are then also contrasted with the perspectives of the Anglo-American world and their European neighbors.

3. Understand the extent to which cultural differences influence the interactions between individuals and/or groups;

The course deals with the ways in which the German speaking peoples (as groups and individuals) interact with one another in everyday situations in public and in the family. It also explores the tacit assumptions they make about the world and society and how they differ from the assumptions made by Americans.

4. Examine different cultures through their various expressions;

Students will study the literary and artistic traditions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a German-studies approach. They will learn the language while covering a wide array of cultural and historical topics from many different perspectives. Topics of discussion in German range from everyday life, family, work, and daily routines to political and social issues affecting German speaking people today.

5. Possess the skills necessary for interaction with someone from a different culture or cultural group.

Students will learn to communicate in German in meaningful cultural contexts at an intermediate 1 level of proficiency by the end of the course. Through classroom discussion in German and written assignments and tests they will prepare to participate effectively in conversation with German speakers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Opportunities will also be available to relate to German speakers in the form of native speakers on the internet, teachers, and advanced students. The goal is for them to move as far as possible towards becoming full participants in German culture rather than mere outside observers.

The letters in the grid below refer to these criteria.