Course Syllabus

German 1A - CRN: 74115, Section No. 831 and CRN 77959, Section No. 832 
Fall Semester 2017

Click here for this syllabus in Word format (in Google Docs).  It is printable or accessible by a screen reader.

Course Description

Click here for the Course Outline of Record.  

Advisories

ENGL 93 or 94; or ESL 160 or 82 or placement in ENGL 96 or ESL 170 or any City College or university foreign language course.

Student Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Outcome 1: Speak at the elementary level in the present tense with grammatical accuracy and intelligible pronunciation in order to introduce themselves and their family, ask for corresponding information from others, talk about likes and dislikes, describe themselves and others, and talk about living situations.

  • Outcome 2: Understand and respond to spoken German at the elementary level, with comprehension of the classroom lecture, an authentic video, audio recording or internet-based realia on a variety of familiar topics.

  • Outcome 3: Comprehend the main elements of a written text (literary text, magazine, newspaper or other realia) and compose short communications related to each chapter's content, incorporating the principles of present tense syntax as introduced at this level, as well as correctly produce and use language in the nominative and accusative cases. Learn applications for prepositions in the nominative and accusative cases. Answer questions based on the text and write and review in class various expansion exercises

  • Outcome 4: Articulate knowledge and understanding of the cultures of German-speaking countries covered in the course.

Class Meetings

There will be no in-person class meetings.  Students may access the course online at any time through Canvas.

Instructor Contact

Leslie A. Pahl, Ph.D. 

Preferred Method of Contact:  Please use the Canvas inbox.

The response time to the Canvas message will be within 24 hours from time of posting (Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or 48 hours if posted on a weekend.  

Office Hour:  An Office Hour will be held Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. using the "Chat" tool on the following dates:

9/20, 10/18, 11/15, 12/13.  If this time is inconvenient, students can always post a question via the Canvas inbox (see above: Preferred Method of Contact) or post a question on the Q & A Forum.  

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system.  Click on the following link for a helpful video about navigating your CANVAS course and mobile access.  Navigating Your CANVAS Course & Mobile Access.  Students will access Deutsch: Na Klar! ebook, workbook and lab manual exercises through the McGraw-Hill Connect app within Canvas.  

Textbook/Workbook and Lab Manual

Materials:  Deutsch: Na Klar! 7th edition. Robert DiDonato/ Monica D. Clyde

Students must register for the Connect "course" and purchase materials, which includes the e-book, workbook and lab, through the Canvas McGraw Hill Connect app in the left side navigation bar.  

Click on this linkView in a new window for screen shots of the registration process for Connect.  

Required Software

You will need the following software for this course: 

  • Adobe Reader (Links to an external site.)

  • Java (Links to an external site.) (for using McGraw-Hill Connect) NOTE: For best results, do not use Chrome with Connect, as it does not support Java)

  • Flash Player (Links to an external site.)  It is recommended to use Firefox or Safari with Connect, as it best supports the Flash player, which is used for the voice recording feature.  Chrome will support Flash, but requires you to change the settings.  You can contact the Connect student help line if you choose this route.   

  • Have an updated browser, whichever you choose. 
  • Either an in-computer/laptop microphone or a USB microphone/headset.  (Tip: The Logitech H390 is a good choice, good quality and reasonable price.)

Important Dates

Fall Semester 2017 Instruction begins:  August 21 (Monday)

Fall Semester 2017 Instruction ends: December 22 (Friday)

Last Day to Drop with 100% refund: September 1 (Friday)

Last Day to Add:  September 8 (Friday)

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol and for 50% refund for non-resident students: September 13 (Wednesday)

Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: September 21 (Thursday) 

Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: November 9 (Thursday) 

Final Exam Dates: December 20-21 (Exam will be available during these dates for 48 hours)  

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is the student's responsibility to officially drop.  See the "Important Dates" above for information regarding dropping for a refund or for a "W" symbol.   Students who do not drop the class but merely discontinue logging in to Canvas and completing the assignments will receive an "FW" on their record.  

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with web4 (Links to an external site.) or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C- or better, you will receive a "P."

You must file for the P/NP option by September 21. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

The instructor will post announcements on the Announcements page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A Q & A Forum is also in the Canvas course (left hand bar) to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

Attendance

Progress in a foreign language involves the development of a skill, and therefore, is dependent upon regular practice. In this fully online course, you are expected to “attend” class regularly by logging in to the course via Canvas 2-3 times a week, completing assignments that are found in both Connect and in Canvas (organized into modules for each chapter) and taking quizzes and tests within the parameters of time permitted for completion.  Non-participation, submitting incomplete assignments, missing quizzes and tests will negatively affect your grade, not to mention your comprehension of the German language.  It is the student’s responsibility to drop the class before the withdrawal deadline.

Students will be dropped from the class by September 5 at 11:59 p.m. (Tuesday) if they have not completed: a) a short quiz on the information contained on the "Course Policies for German 1A" (see below) and b) the "Meet and Greet” discussion.  In addition, it is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one assignment or homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.

Other Course Policies

You are required to read the document: “Course Policies for German 1A” in the “Introduction to German 1A” module.  A short quiz will be posted to test your understanding of the policies.  This quiz must be taken in order to proceed with the course. 

Methods of Evaluation

Final grades will be based on homework (online lab manual and workbook in Connect) (25%), chapter tests in Canvas modules (E-2) (20%), LearnSmart quizzes (10%), participation (i.e. discussion posts, oral production recordings, or other such assignments) (10%), a short composition for the Einführung and each of Kapitel 1-3 "Mein Journal" (10%), and the final exam (the final will be comprehensive but will also include testing on material from Kapitel 3) (25%).    

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. 

Grades will be calculated as follows.  Note:  Only whole grades can be given as a final grade, i.e. A, B, C, D, F

 

Name:

Range:

A

100 %

to 94.0%

A-

< 94.0 %

to 90.0%

B+

< 90.0 %

to 87.0%

B

< 87.0 %

to 84.0%

B-

< 84.0 %

to 80.0%

C+

< 80.0 %

to 77.0%

C

< 77.0 %

to 74.0%

C-

< 74.0 %

to 70.0%

D+

< 70.0 %

to 67.0%

D

< 67.0 %

to 64.0%

D-

< 64.0 %

to 61.0%

F

< 61.0 %

to 0.0%

Plus/minus grades:  Depending on the total number of points, plus or minus grades will be calculated on a 2 point scale either way.  Example: In a 100 point test, an A- would be calculated at 90-91, B+ at 88-89, and so on.  If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least a C- (including the final exam) to pass the class. The final grade will not include a "+" or "-".  

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs and Wellness.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. 

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism

Special Needs

If you need testing accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, please contact me as soon as possible via the Canvas Inbox. Please read the Course Policies for German 1A page for more information on this subject.  Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the DSPS website for more information and alternate locations.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due