German 109: Intensive Introductory German
Expectations
Because this is an intensive language
course, in which daily practice in the language is of the utmost
importance, regular daily attendance and class participation are required
in this course. Classes meet five days a week, and you will participate
in daily drill and study sessions. If you have to miss a class or a drill
because of sickness or another serious problem, please let me know
in advance (you can always reach me via e-mail). More than three
unexcused absences from class or drill, will result in your grade dropping
by one additional grade point, i.e. this penalty is in addition to the
probably low grade such a student would get anyway.
While it is possible, though not
advisable, to cram in a semester's worth of "catch-up" work in some courses,
it is not possible to do so in language courses, particularly German 109.
It is of paramount importance, therefore, that you keep up with your class
work on a daily basis -- you will not be able to catch up by intensive
"cram" sessions at the end of the semester. Daily assignments, the completion
of the workbook and language lab. exercises, as well as practice on the
computer are designed to help you work on your German regularly every day
for several hours.
Before we start a new chapter,
you should read through the grammar and topics of the new chapter once.
While you are not expected to know all of the material of the new chapter
at this time, you should be familiar with the basic concepts that are taught
in each chapter, before it is taught in class. Coming to class prepared
will make your learning of the material easier and more effective.
In order to build every student's
active German vocabulary, each student will be required to keep a German
vocabulary notebook. In addition to the new vocabulary words in each
chapter of Deutsch heute, I will be introducing new vocabulary words
by writing them on the blackboard. Students will be expected to write the
words into their notebooks and memorize (be able to use!) them by the following
day.