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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
GERMD001.
Course Title (CB02)
Elementary German (First Quarter)
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the language and cultures of the German-speaking countries. Basic speaking, listening, reading and writing of German will be practiced within a cultural framework. Emphasis will be on language as an expression of culture and include language laboratory practice to reinforce pronunciation, grammar, syntax and simple conversation.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is the first of the sequential classes. It meets the stated goals and objectives and satisfies the GE requirements of °®¶¹´«Ã½ and CSU GE and is a CSU and UC transferable class. It belongs to the AA Degree in Global Studies. The course is a low-level class of Elementary German studies. In addition, it serves the whole community for business-related needs and personal development.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GC2°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area C2 - HumanitiesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGC2CSU GE Area C2 - HumanitiesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours5.010.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
60.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
120.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
120.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Field observation and field trips

Assignments

  1. Textbook readings demonstrating correct use of first-quarter elementary-level language structures
  2. Textbook readings on cultural topics
  3. Readings from authentic sources on cultural, political and economic developments in the German-speaking countries (in English)
  4. Textbook and workbook exercises reinforcing correct use of written and spoken elementary-level language functions
  5. Listening comprehension exercises reinforcing basic listening and writing skills
  6. On-line component exercises reinforcing elementary-level reading, writing, speaking and listening skills
  7. Writing assignments demonstrating correct use of elementary-level vocabulary, syntax and sentence structures
  8. Oral presentations demonstrating students' interest on cultural phenomena and showing their ability to express themselves correctly at the elementary-level

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Assigned readings and post-reading activities with simple demonstrations will be evaluated based on the abilities to derive meaning from short, simple texts on familiar topics, to rely on contextual clues and to extract the gist and some detail.
  2. Daily written exercises on studied grammar and sentence structures will be assessed based on the abilities to compose comprehensible, simple sentences on familiar topics and to reflect a working command of core vocabulary and language structures.
  3. Oral tests on language accuracy, fluency and pronunciation as well as vocabulary quizzes for each chapter will be evaluated based on correct usage of essential vocabulary and language structures necessary to request and provide basic information relating to high-frequency situations in familiar contexts.
  4. Written chapter tests will be evaluated based on correct usage of vocabulary, grammar, syntactical structures necessary to compose simple comprehensible sentences on familiar topics and to reflect a working command of core vocabulary and language structures.
  5. Final examination will be evaluated based on the abilities to reflect a working command of essential vocabulary including idiomatic expressions, to compose simple comprehensible sentences on familiar topics and to answer questions using proper word order, which is very unique to German.
  6. Optional oral presentations on cultural topics to demonstrate students' interest on contributions of German-speaking cultures, to compare them to student's own culture and to demonstrate correct use of first quarter elementary-level speaking patterns.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Margaret Gonglewski, Beverly Moser, Cornelius Partsch, E. Rosemarie Widmaier and Fritz Widmaier. "Treffpunkt Deutsch." Seventh Edition. New York: Pearson, 2019.
Margaret Gonglewski, Beverly Moser, Cornelius Partsch, E. Rosemarie Widmaier and Fritz Widmaier."Treffpunkt Deutsch. Arbeitsbuch." Seventh Edition. New York: Pearson, 2019.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Cecile Zorach, Charlotte Melin, Elizabeth Kautz, Jacgueline Morton. "English Grammar for Students of German". 6th edition. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press, 2014.
Wilk, Gerard. "Americans from Germany". Indianapolis, Indiana: Max Kade German-American Center, Indiana University-Purdue University and Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc. 1995.
"Deutschland". Magazine on Politics, Culture, Business and Science. Frankfurt am Main: Societatsverlag. (periodical, selected issues.
"Austria Kultur". New York, NY: Austrian Cultural Institute (periodical, selected issues).
Links on Germany:<br /> https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/knowledge/education-learning/open-minded-and-modern.html<br /> https://germanculture.com.ua/library/links.html<br /> http://www.entdecke-deutschland.diplo.de/Vertretung/entdeckedeutschland/en/Startseite.html<br /> https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/frauen-power-8-important-women-from-germany/<br /> Links on Switzerland<br /> https://www.iaeste.ch/foreign-trainees/links-about-switzerland/<br /> https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/home.html<br /> Links on Austria<br /> https://www.eupedia.com/austria/trivia.html<br /> http://nationfacts.net/austria-facts/

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine language as the primary expression of culture
  • Recognize, construct and formulate the following first-quarter elementary level grammatical and syntactical structures
  • Demonstrate elementary-level communication by using first quarter reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
  • Evaluate and interpret historical and cultural developments in the German-speaking countries
  • Distinguish geographical features of the German-speaking countries
  • Engage in a critical analysis and comparison of cultural and ethical values and cultural assumptions
  • Examine the social situation of minorities and recent immigrants in modern German-speaking societies
  • Appraise and interpret the contributions of women in German-speaking countries

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate a consistent working command of core vocabulary and language structures necessary to communicate, orally and in writing, and to provide basic/simple information relating to high-frequency situations in familiar contexts.

  • Comprehend short, simple texts on familiar topics, relying on contextual clues to extract the gist and some detail.

  • Compose comprehensible, simple phrases or sentences about familiar topics to reflect a consistent working command of essential vocabulary and language structures.

  • Demonstrate a cursory grasp of cultural contributions and social phenomena of German-speaking world, by analyzing and comparing those to one's own culture(s).

Outline

  1. Examine language as the primary expression of culture
    1. Examine and understand how the German language has evolved
    2. Recognize the connection between language, thought patterns and culture
  2. Recognize, construct and formulate the following first-quarter elementary level grammatical and syntactical structures
    1. Gender and number of nouns
    2. Negation patterns
    3. Present tense conjugation of weak (regular) and some strong (irregular) verbs, separable prefix verbs and modal verbs
    4. Imperative mode
    5. Nominative and accusative case
    6. Coordinating and some subordinating conjunctions
    7. Main and dependent clause syntax
    8. Statement, interrogative and imperative sentence patterns
    9. Agreement of adjectives with nouns in gender, number and case
  3. Demonstrate elementary-level communication by using first quarter reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
    1. Formulate questions and answers about simple everyday situations such as introducing oneself, family members and friends,talking about whether conditions, free-time activities and sports, telling times, describing daily routines etc.
    2. Use correctly core vocabulary and guessing strategies for unknown words/phrases
    3. Understand and develop basic idiomatic speech patterns
    4. Develop accurate pronunciation
    5. Demonstrate beginner level reading strategies for simple authentic texts
    6. Establish writing skills within the framework of grammar and vocabulary studied
  4. Evaluate and interpret historical and cultural developments in the German-speaking countries
    1. Understand a broad outline of the history of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and Luxemburg
    2. Assess the unique historical situation of each of the German-speaking countries
  5. Distinguish geographical features of the German-speaking countries
    1. Understand the differing climates and landscapes of Central Europe
    2. Appreciate the cultural consequences of geographical features
  6. Engage in a critical analysis and comparison of cultural and ethical values and cultural assumptions
    1. Assess the student's own cultural values and assumptions to further develop the cultural tolerance
    2. Contrast these values with those of the German-speaking countries
    3. Analyze the historical consequences of cultural assumptions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg such as attitudes towards recent immigrants
    4. Examine Jewish history in German speaking Europe in the past and present
  7. Examine the social situation of minorities and recent immigrants in modern German-speaking societies
    1. Appraise the social situation of the Turkish population in Germany as an example of integrating minorities into a multicultural society
    2. Appreciate the communal (such as artistic, scientific, social) contributions of minorities
  8. Appraise and interpret the contributions of women in German-speaking countries
    1. Interpret women's social, intellectual and artistic contributions based on readings from the textbook
    2. Explore literary works by reading examples from the textbook, some authentic poems and excerpts from original stories
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