Course Syllabus

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GER1125

Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Instructor

Will Hasty

Email

Please use Canvas Inbox. Expect a response within 24 hours.

Office Hours

TBA

Course Description

GER1125 is the first semester of the two-semester sequence "Discover German" that also includes GER1126. Both courses are online. There are no classroom meetings. The course provides instructional and practice materials in various forms that allow students to learn on their own. However, thanks to the collaborative tools in Canvas and Zoom, students will do a considerable part of their course work in groups. These groups have weekly assignments and meet biweekly with their instructor for short feedback sessions. Therefore, students have to keep the two periods indicated in the Registrar’s course listing page free for the meetings with the instructor.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to communicate with native speakers, exchange information on a basic level, and perform routine tasks as a student or tourist in German-speaking countries. You will reach a level of language proficiency and cultural knowledge that corresponds to the A1 (Breakthrough) Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This proficiency level can be described in the following way:

Speak German

You can introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can communicate and exchange information with German native speakers and interact with them in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Read German

You can read simple and short information about familiar topics.

German Culture

You can orient yourself in situations which occur in the everyday life of a student or tourist in a German speaking country.

Course Requirements

Required Textbook

There is no required text for this course.

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Minimum Technology Requirements

The University of Florida expects students entering an online program to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Most computers are capable of meeting the following general requirements. A student’s computer configuration should include:

  • Webcam
  • Headset with microphone
  • Broadband connection to the Internet and related equipment (cable/DSL modem)

Minimum Technical Skills

To complete your tasks in this course, you will need a basic understanding of how to operate a computer. Most of your work for this course will involve using Canvas, Honorlock, and Zoom.

Canvas

Canvas is the learning management system used by the University of Florida. If you are new to Canvas, watch a four-minute Canvas Overview. If you have any questions regarding Canvas, refer to the Canvas Guides.

Honorlock

Honorlock is an online proctoring service that allows students to take quizzes and exams on-demand 24/7. There are no scheduling requirements or fees.

You will need a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam, a microphone, and a photo ID. The webcam and microphone can be either integrated or external USB devices.

Honorlock requires that you use the Google Chrome browser and that you add the Honorlock extension to Chrome.

For further information, FAQs, and technical support, please visit Honorlock.

Zoom

Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing service available to all UF students.

You can find resources and help using Zoom at the University of Florida's Zoom website.

Course Policies

Students are expected to attend all the instructor meetings. Each unexcused absences will result in a lowering of your final grade by a half of a letter grade (i.e., from an A to an A-, from an A- to a B+, etc.).

As a rule, unless a student has a medical excuse or a confirmed family emergency with documentation from the Dean of Students Office, late assignments, quizzes, and tests will not be accepted.

Any technical difficulties with assignments must 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.

These policies are consistent with UF's Attendance Policies.

As this is an online class, you are responsible for observing all posted due dates (see the list at the bottom of this syllabus) and are encouraged to be self-directed and take responsibility for your learning.

Grading Policy

The instructor will make every effort to have each assignment graded and posted within two weeks of the due date.

Course Grading Policy

Assignment Percentage of Final Grade
 Orientation Activities 1%
 Quizzes  30%
 Instructor Meetings 9%
 Group Work 25%
 Skits 10%
 Individual Writing Assessments 25%
 SONGS Initiative Extra Credit Opportunities 3%

Grading Scale

Percent

Grade

Grade Points

100% to 93%

A

4.00

< 93% to 90%

A-

3.67

< 90% to 87%

B+

3.33

< 87% to 83%

B

3.00

< 83% to 80%

B-

2.67

<80% to 77%

C+

2.33

< 77% to 73%

C

2.00

< 73% to 70%

C-

1.67

< 70% to 67%

D+

1.33

< 67% to 63%

D

1.00

< 63% to 60%

D-

0.67

< 60% to 0%

E

0.00

See the current UF grading policies for more information.

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) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that 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 Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code 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.

Plagiarism

The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code states that:

"A Student must not represent as the Student’s own work all or any portion of the work of another. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

  • Stealing, misquoting, insufficiently paraphrasing, or patch-writing.
  • Self-plagiarism, which is the reuse of the Student’s own submitted work, or the simultaneous submission of the Student’s own work, without the full and clear acknowledgment and permission of the Faculty to whom it is submitted.
  • Submitting materials from any source without proper attribution.
  • Submitting a document, assignment, or material that, in whole or in part, is identical or substantially identical to a document or assignment the Student did not author."

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.

Security

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm.

  • Don't share your password with anyone.
  • Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
  • Always log out when you are finished using the system.

General Guidelines

When communicating online:

  • Treat the instructor with respect, even via email or in any other online communication.
  • Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you are unsure use Mr. or Ms.
  • Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to a professor by their first name.
  • Use clear and concise language.
  • Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar.
  • Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
  • Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman and use a size 12 or 14 point font.
  • Avoid using the caps lock feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
  • Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :) .
  • Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post and your message might be taken seriously or be construed as being offensive.
  • Be careful with personal information (both yours and others).
  • Do not send confidential information via email.

Email

When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates:

  • Use a descriptive subject line.
  • Be brief.
  • Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them.
  • Avoid HTML in favor of plain text.
  • Sign your message with your name and return email address.
  • Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message?
  • Be sure you REALLY want everyone to receive your response when you click, “Reply All.”
  • Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “Forward” button.

Discussion Boards

When posting on the discussion board in your online class:

  • Check to see if anyone already asked your question and received a reply before posting to the discussion board.
  • Remember your manners and say please and thank you when asking something of your classmates or instructor.
  • Be open-minded.
  • If you ask a question and many people respond, summarize all posts for the benefit of the class.
  • When posting:
    • Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material.
    • Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying.
    • Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment.
    • Don’t repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
    • Take your posts seriously. Review and edit your posts before sending.
    • Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point.
    • If you refer to something that was said in an earlier post, quote a few key lines so readers do not have to go back and figure out which post you are referring to.
    • Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source.
    • If you reply to a classmate’s question make sure your answer is correct, don’t guess.
    • Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own.
    • When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way.
    • Do not make personal or insulting remarks.
    • Do not write anything sarcastic or angry, it always backfires.
    • Do not type in ALL CAPS, if you do IT WILL LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.

Zoom

When attending a Zoom class or meeting:

  • Do not share your Zoom classroom link or password with others.
  • Even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can see you! While attending class in your pajamas is tempting, remember that wearing clothing is not optional. Dress appropriately.
  • Your professor and classmates can also see what is behind you, so be aware of your surroundings.
  • Make sure the background is not distracting or something you would not want your classmates to see.
    • When in doubt use a virtual background. If you choose to use one, you should test the background out first to make sure your device can support it.
    • Your background can express your personality, but be sure to avoid using backgrounds that may contain offensive images and language.
  • Mute is your friend, especially when you are in a location that can be noisy. Don’t leave your microphone open if you don’t have to.
  • If you want to speak, you can raise your hand (click the “raise hand” button at the center bottom of your screen) and wait to be called upon.

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties

For help with technical issues or difficulties with Canvas, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups (assignments, exams, etc.) due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should email your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

  • U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please email umatter@ufl.edu, call 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter We Care to refer or report a concern, and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the UF Counseling & Wellness Center website or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services and non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the UF Student Health Care Center website.
  • University Police Department: Visit the UF Police Department website or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-0111, or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; Visit the UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center website.

Academic and Student Support

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available on the GatorEvals Providing Constructive Feedback FAQ page. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via the GatorEvals website. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at the GatorEvals Public Results page. More information about UF's course evaluation system can be found at the GatorEvals Faculty Evaluations website.

Tips for Success

Taking a course online can be a lot of fun! Here are some tips that will help you get the most of this course while taking full advantage of the online format:

  • Schedule "class times" for yourself. It is important to do the coursework on time each week. You will receive a reduction in points for work that is turned in late!
  • Read ALL of the material contained on this site. There is a lot of helpful information that can save you time and help you meet the objectives of the course.
  • Print out the Course Summary located in the Course Syllabus and check things off as you go.
  • Take full advantage of the online discussion boards. Ask for help or clarification of the material if you need it.
  • Do not wait to ask questions! Waiting to ask a question might cause you to miss a due date.
  • Do your work well before the due dates. Sometimes things happen. If your computer goes down when you are trying to submit an assignment, you'll need time to troubleshoot the problem.
  • To be extra safe, back up your work to an external hard drive, thumb drive, or through a cloud service.

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below:

 (Links to an external site.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due