UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

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1 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES German 3050 The German Short Story and Novella of the 20 th Century Fall Semester 2010 Instructor: Dr. Christoph Weber Office: LB 401-E Office phone: (940) Main office phone: (940) Class meets: 2:00-2:50pm M/W/F (LB 210) Office hours: 1:00-2:00pm M/W (or by appointment) Required Texts: Rosemarie T. Morwege. Mitlesen Mitteilen. 4 th Edition. ISBN-13: Thomas Mann. Der Tod in. ISBN-13: Course description: This course offers on the one hand an introduction to German short stories of the 20 th century and their respective authors. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis and discussion of literary texts and the thematically related topics of German culture. In addition to the materials compiled in the course book Mitlesen Miteilen, we will read excerpts from Thomas Mann s master novella Der Tod in. The inclusion of this celebrated work offers an opportunity to further hone and strengthen the reading skills necessary to master advanced level literary texts. We will build upon a wide range of foreign language skills in Germ 3050: Reading: The close and careful reading of German literary texts is an integral component of this course. Thus, it is crucial that you set aside sufficient time to prepare yourself for the in-class discussion. I recommend investing in a good quality, comprehensive German dictionary. You may also use an online dictionary as a supplementary tool: ( Remember that your reading should point towards a general comprehension of the content and that you do no get hung up on specific words. You may want to take a look at the questions that are assigned with the texts before you start reading. They help you to seek out the main points. Speaking and listening: Spoken German also constitutes an important part of the course. You will be expected to participate actively in class discussions and group work. During the semester, you will give one group presentation (a biographical sketch of an author we discuss in class). Note that it will NOT be sufficient to read out a written text (but key words on flash cards are allowed).

2 Grammar: You are expected to have a good grasp of intermediate German grammar concepts (although you are responsible for reviewing grammar that still presents you with difficulties, your instructor will be very happy to assist you in these efforts!!). Throughout the semester we will revisit some fundamental grammatical concepts. Writing: Another focus will be on writing in German - to express ideas, convey information, and improve style and accuracy. You will write four summary papers (each of them giving a brief overview of the material covered in the last class periods). Besides improving your linguistic skills, the summary papers also help you prepare for the midterm and exam. In all writing assignments, the grade will be based on organization and content as well as accuracy of structures and forms. Evaluation: Attendance and Active participation 10% Homework 10% Presentation (1) 10% Quizzes (8) 10% Summaries (4) 30% Midterm Exam 15% Final Exam 15% Assignments/Course Requirements: 1. Participation: Besides becoming more knowledgeable about central topics of German culture, you will be expected to work steadily on developing your proficiency in reading, writing, and oral expression. Careful preparation for class and regular, active participation are the foundation of this course! 2. Homework: Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, all homework is to be turned in before class starts. It will typically consist of taking notes, formulating comments, and asking questions on the reading assigned for the class. Besides facilitating discussion during class, this activity is meant to further activate your linguistic skills in German and help you in the writing of the summaries as well as in the preparation for the final exam. 3. Summary Papers: Please format any of these works as follows: * Length: 2 pages (500 words) * Font: Times New Roman * Font Size: 12, double spaced * Extra margin right: 2 inches * Always hand in a printed version! Do not send it as an attachment! Failure to follow this format will result in a lower grade of up to 10 %!! 4. Midterm and Final Exam: At the middle and at the end of the semester, we will be taking a comprehensive exam in German. It will consist of questions on the readings and

3 discussions of the class. In preparation of this exam, you will be turning in homework regularly, and write summary papers. Note that taking notes during class will immensely help you! General Course Policies: No academic dishonesty (plagiarism, machine translation, inappropriate help by tutors, etc.) No late homework accepted Active participation Attendance will be taken REGULAR ATTENDANCE is required. Repeated unexcused absences and tardiness will affect your grade significantly. Three tardies is the equivalent of one absence. Leaving class before the end of the period will be considered an absence. You are allowed a maximum of (3) absences, whether excused or unexcused without penalty. After three absences, your attendance grade will suffer in percent. After the twelfth absence, you will receive a failing grade for the entire class Excused absences are only: A.) illness with doctor's documentation, B.) official university sponsored activities, and C.) the observance of certain religious holidays, provided the student has notified the instructor in writing within the first fifteen days of the semester and/or deadline as specified in the Academic Calendar. (See Class Attendance in the University Catalog for details.) If your absence is not excused, you will receive a grade of zero (0) for any homework assignment due that day and/or for any quiz given that day. If your absence is excused, your NEXT homework and/or quiz grade will count double. RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS. In accordance with Section of the Texas Education Code, UNT will allow a student who is absent from class for observance of a religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time. Students are required to file a written request with each professor within the first 15 days of the semester to qualify for an excused absence. A copy of the state rules and procedures regarding holy days and the form for notification of absence from each class under this provision are available from the Registrar s Office. MACHINE TRANSLATION. The use of machine translators (aka computer translation) such as Babel fish is strictly prohibited. Any assignment that is determined to have been translated from English by a computer will receive an F. TUTORS: Some of our students work with tutors and can benefit from this additional work. Please note that tutors help you do your work but may not do it for you. If you are helped by a tutor in completing writing assignments, I need to see both your first draft and a final version of the assignment, showing evidence of your unaided work and results of the tutor's input.

4 DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law , The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. Students must follow the Procedure for Requesting Special Accommodation, as indicated in the UNT Policy Manual, Volume 3, , part II. According to these guidelines, "[w]ithin the first week of class, qualified students must notify the instructor or academic unit liaison for disability accommodation that options to standard methods of educational access will be needed" (part II, section B). STUDENT EVALUATION: The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I am very interested in the feedback I get from students, as I work to continually improve my teaching. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class If you have questions or concerns at any point during the semester, please contact your instructor. Plan on attending office hours at least once during the semester, even if it is just for an informal visit. Furthermore, I encourage you to use Kaffeeklatsch and any other activities or films for additional speaking practice.

5 Vorläufiger Semesterplan. Ich behalte mir das Recht vor, während des Semesters Veränderungen anzubringen Themen: Termine: Freitag, Willkommen & sich kennen lernen Montag, W. Wondratschek: Kap. 1 Mittagspause Mittwoch, W. Wondratschek: Kap. 1 Mittagspause Freitag, W. Wondratschek: Kap. 1 Mittagspause Montag, Labor Day Unterricht entfällt Mittwoch, P. Bichsel: San Salvador Kap. 5 Freitag, P. Bichsel: San Salvador Quiz I Kap. 5 Montag, P. Bichsel: San Salvador Kap. 5 Mittwoch, W. Borchert: Die Küchenuhr Kap. 7 Freitag, W. Borchert: Die Quiz II Küchenuhr Kap. 7 Montag, W. Borchert: Die Kap. 7 Küchenuhr Schreibprojekt: Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, W. Biermann: Das Märchen vom kleinen Herrn Moritz W. Biermann: Das Märchen vom kleinen Herrn Moritz W. Biermann: Das Märchen vom kleinen Herrn Moritz Mittsemester Wiederholung Mittsemester Prüfung Textanalyse I Lesen: S S ( [...] zum Strande läuft. ) Quiz III Kap. 9 Kap. 9 Kap. 9

6 8 9 Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Quiz IV S Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Film Film Film F. Kafka: Eine kaiserliche Botschaft F. Kafka: Eine kaiserliche Botschaft F. Kafka: Eine kaiserliche Botschaft Schreibprojekt: Textanalyse II Kap. 18 Kap. 18 Quiz V Kap Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, T. Brussig: Helden wie wir T. Brussig: Helden wie wir T. Brussig: Helden wie wir Kap. 19 Kap. 19 Schreibprojekt: Filmanalyse Kap. 19 Quiz VI Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, J. Hermann: Rote Korallen J. Hermann: Rote Korallen J. Hermann: Rote Korallen Erntedankfest Unterricht entfällt Erntedankfest Unterricht entfällt Y. Tawda: Von der Muttersprache zur Sprachmutter Kap. 20 Kap. 20 Kap. 20 Quiz VII Lesen: S ( Er schwieg und blieb. ) Kap. 22

7 16 17 Mittwoch, Freitag, Montag, Mittwoch, Y. Tawda: Von der Muttersprache zur Sprachmutter Y. Tawda: Von der Muttersprache zur Sprachmutter Rückblick & Reflexionen über den Kurs Schlussexamen Kap. 22 Schreibprojekt: Textanalyse III Quiz VIII Kap. 22 Lesen: S