Course Syllabus
Welcome to GER 2225 Online Intermediate German I
*As of the academic year 2022-2023, the six-credit-hours earned in the Online Intermediate German Sequence GER 2225 and GER 2226 will count towards the 15-credit requirement for a Minor in German.
3 credit hours
GER 2225 Online Intermediate German I is the first semester of a two-semester Online Intermediate German sequence that includes GER 2226 Online Intermediate German II (which is offered in the spring semester). GER 2225 develops language comprehension, production, and translation skills in work on German texts with various topics (historical, scientific, medical, artistic, etc.) and via online writing tasks and speaking exercises in biweekly synchronous student-instructor meetings, with the goal of consolidating proficiencies at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Fall 2022
Student-Instructor ZOOM Meeting Time: Students will meet in groups synchronously with the instructor on a weekly basis to work on pronunciation and speaking during a ca. half-hour period on Thursdays at 4:05pm in Zoom: https://ufl.zoom.us/j/6720324187. Synchronous student-instructor meetings will have a Q&A format, with students expected to respond in German to possible different kinds of questions about the assigned texts as well as to elaborate independently on preset topics that have to be prepared in advance.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Will Hasty: 263a Dauer Hall hasty@ufl.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays 6th and 7th Periods, 12:50-2:45PM. Appointments during this time in Zoom (https://ufl.zoom.us/j/6720324187) are possible but need to be made in advance.
Students can message the instructor using the Canvas Inbox to schedule an appointment during office hours. Please allow 24 hours for a response. Questions posted over the weekend will typically not receive a response until the beginning of the following week.
COURSE WEBSITE: https://ufl.instructure.com/courses/402872
COURSE COMMUNICATIONS: For any course-related questions, students should check the “Start Here” section. If a student has problems with the technology tools used in the Canvas course, they should contact the UF Computing Help Desk in the HUB. Private questions should be sent to the instructor through the Canvas Inbox tool (this would include questions about grades, late work, etc.).
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (REQUIRED): You MUST have a headset with microphone and a web camera for this course. The cost for such a microphone ranges from $10.00 - $50.00, and the cost of a web camera is similar. These can be purchased at most electronics stores, online, or at the UF Bookstore.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Like the GER 1125-GER 1126 "Discover German" beginning sequence, the 6-credit intermediate course sequence GER 2225 and GER 2226 is web-based and offered on a distance-learning format. There are no regular classroom meetings. The course provides instructional and practice materials in various forms that allow students to learn on their own. Students have weekly assignments and meet biweekly with their instructor in Zoom to work on speaking and pronunciation.
GER 2225 is an online version of the classroom GER 2200 Intermediate German. However, whereas GER 2200 is designed as a continuation of the regular classroom-based GER 1130 and GER 1131, GER 2225 is designed as an online continuation of the online beginning German sequence GER 1125 and GER 1126 ("Discover German"). In GER 2225, students focus more on reading, writing, and translating in an online working environment, though speaking and listening comprehension skills are also regularly practiced at the B1-level.
https:/sites.clas.ufl.edu/songs/the-online-germanminor/ (Links to an external site.)
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If you enjoy and benefit from a more flexible online learning format, and have self-discipline in your study habits, GER 2225 "Online Intermediate German I" may be a good choice for you. If you have taken any one-year-long beginning German sequence elsewhere (i.e. 10 total credit hours of beginning German), you may take GER 2225. You should be aware that GER 2225 is designed principally as a continuation of UF's Online "Discover German" Sequence.
Students with some experience and familiarity with online language-culture instruction may find adapting to the online format of GER 2225 easy. Some students may find the online format difficult and challenging if they are not used to self-directed language-culture study.
COURSE GOALS AND/OR OBJECTIVES: In GER 2225 Online Intermediate German I students transition from the A2 towards the B1 proficiency level as defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Corresponding to the B1 Proficiency levels as goals, which in some contexts are defined as "independent language user," we rely in this course on students taking the initiative in the language-culture learning process. In GER 2226 Online Intermediate German II students consolidate B1 level proficiency and establish strong foundations for working in the direction of a B2 level proficiency level as defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
HOW THIS COURSE RELATES TO THE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES IN THE GERMAN PROGRAM: GER 2225 and GER 2226 build a strong core knowledge of the German language, which students may further develop in more advanced, upper-division courses in German Studies.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: By using a variety of teaching and learning tools of the course management system, students are provided with the necessary information and tools to practice their language skills within the performance and cultural contexts set forth in the weekly assignments. The materials and tools each week help students to develop speaking, reading, listening comprehension and writing skills.
Course Textbook:
Purchase e-book version of Richard Alan Korb, German for Reading Knowledge, 7th edition (Cengage, 2014).
COURSE POLICIES
ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR INSTRUCTOR MEETINGS IN ZOOM (to be arranged): Students should be prepared for these scheduled meetings and use their webcams (because the visual cues that we see are sometimes as important as the words that we hear!). The regular weekly meeting times will be arranged with students at the beginning of the course.
LATE WORK: As a rule, unless a student has a medical excuse or a confirmed family emergency with documentation from the Dean of Students Office, late assessments, assignments, and exams will not be accepted. Any technical difficulties with assignments have a Help Desk ticket number if you plan to request an extension. The extension request MUST be submitted within 24 hours of the technical difficulty.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY: Access to and on-going use of a computer is required for all students. Competency in the basic use of a computer is required. Coursework will require use of a computer and a broadband connection to the Internet.
For additional information on UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences policy regarding computer requirements you can visit: http://it.clas.ufl.edu/policies/studentcomputer-requirement/ (Links to an external site.)
For additional information on UF Online policy regarding computer requirements you can visit: http://ufonline.ufl.edu/resources/computer-requirements/ (Links to an external site.)
Students are required to have speakers, a microphone, and a webcam to take the proctored exams and to participate in the group activities and instructor meetings.
ONLINE COURSE EVALUATION: Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https://evaluations.ufl.edu (Links to an external site.)
Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semesters, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results (Links to an external site.)
UF POLICIES
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: “Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, www.dso.ufl.edu/drc ) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.”
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACADEMIC CONDUCT: UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."
The Honor Code (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/ (Links to an external site.)) specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.
CLASS DEMEANOR OR NETIQUETTE: All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats.
U MATTER WE CARE: Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We Care initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our community to look out for one another and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu so that the U Matter, We Care Team can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone at 352-392-1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing staff, and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
GETTING HELP: For issues with technical difficulties for Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at: http://helpdesk.ufl.edu (Links to an external site.)
● (352) 392-HELP (4357)
● Walk-in: HUB 132
Any requests for make-ups due to technical issues MUST be accompanied by the ticket number received from the Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You MUST e-mail your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.
Other resources are available at http://www.distance.ufl.edu/ (Links to an external site.) in getting-help for:
• Counseling and Wellness resources
• Disability resources
• Resources for handling student concerns and complaints
• Library Help Desk support
Should you have any complaints with your experience in this course please visit
http://www.distance.ufl.edu/student-complaints (Links to an external site.) to submit a complaint.
GRADING POLICIES
METHODS BY WHICH STUDENTS WILL BE EVALUATED AND THEIR GRADE DETERMINED:
See https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx (Links to an external site.) for general UF grading policies.
Grades will be based on the following:
Weekly Grammar Review Exercises: 10%
CEFR (Links to an external site.) Listening Comprehension Assignments: 10%
Translation work with German for Reading Knowledge (GRK) Practice Sentences: 15%
Translation work with GRK Texts: 15%
Student-Instructor Meetings to work on speaking and pronunciation: 10%
Short written Summaries in German of the Readings using the German Grammar Cruncher: 20%
Midterm: 10% (90 minute exam consisting of translations and writing exercises)
Final: 10% (90 minute exam consisting of translations and writing exercises)
*There are no traditional tests or midterms in this course, only the assigned graded coursework.
GRADING SCALE: (& GPA equivalent):
A 100-93(4.0)
A- 93-90(3.67)
B+ 90-87(3.33)
B 87-83 (3.0)
B- 83-80(2.67)
C+ 80-77(2.33)
C 77-73 (2.0)
C- 73-70(1.67)
D+ 70-67(1.33)
D 63-67 (1.0)
D- 63-60(0.67)
E 60-(0)
Course Summary:
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