German 330
German 330 students will learn about multiple aspects of German cultural history.In addition to basic historical narrative, students will learn about music, art, architecture, literature, philosophy, the German language, and cultural narratives such as gender, race, class, religion, etc. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of basic historical eras and intellectual/aesthetic movements including the Carolinginian period, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, the Revolutionary period, the Gründerzeit, Modernism, Historicism, the Weimar Republic, The Rise of Fascism,Post-War period, the Reunification, and Post-Modernism.
Language of Instruction
- The language of instruction for German 330 is German. German should be used whenever possible. Students are not required to speak German in class discussions, and may ask for a translation into English at any time.
- German 330 is not a German language course.There will be little or no time spent in class on language instruction.Students may be evaluated on their German writing and speaking skills, but most of the grade on writing and speaking assignments (90% or more) will be given for content, organization, intellectual rigor, etc.
Writing
- Students will demonstrate that they can write a coherent, logical and organized argument in formal writing assignments that they complete each week or every two weeks.
- Students will complete at least 30 pages (12-point font, double spaced) of formal academic writing over the course of the semester.
- A significant portion (one fourth to one half or more) of the writing should be in German.
- A 5-7 page final research paper or a significant re-write of a previously-written paper will be required for all 330 students.
- All 330 students will complete a final exam in addition to their final paper.
Presentations
- Each 330 student will be required to give at least one presentation in front of the entire class.If these reports are in German, the evaluation of language skills will only make up a small fraction of the grade (5-10%).The rest of the grade will evaluate the student’s organization, research, argument, intellectual rigor, relevance, presentation skills, power point, visual aids, etc.
- The Professor will spend dedicated time in class instructing students about the basics of an acceptable academic oral presentation, and provide the students with detailed grading criteria that insure a high quality of student presentations.
- Students will be responsible for the information that they learn from their fellow students’ presentations.This will be evaluated through papers, in-class essays, interviews, or some other means to be decided by the instructor.
Research
- Each 330 student will be required to complete advanced library and bibliographic research in some aspect of the course.
Honors
- Each 330 course will include a 330H honors section.Students in these sections will be required to participate in some sort of extra research project, such as the Sophie Project of mentored student learning. As per the instructions from University Honors, Honors students should not just complete more of the usual assignments for the regular section of the 330 class, rather they should participate in a unique research experience.
These course objectives contribute to objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the BA programs in German Literature, German Studies, German Linguistics, and German Teaching.
Sample Syllabus for German 330