 |
Dr. Rasma Lazda
Fall 2021
GN 503 German
for Reading Proficiency 243 B.B. Comer Hall |
Class hours GN 503: W 6 pm - 8 pm
Office Hours:
Please talk to me after class or e-mail any time in case you wish to set up a meeting time, also via Zoom rlazda@ua.edu
TEXT
PREREQUISITES
A Foundation Course in Reading German, additional materials will be provided by the instructor.
No prerequisites.OBJECTIVES AND COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to German grammar and vocabulary, with emphasis on developing basic reading and translation skills. It is designed for graduate students who wish to develop their reading skills for a basic competence in German for research purposes. The focus of this class is basic grammatical structures of German, basic vocabulary and translation of various texts from the textbook and the various fields of the participants of this course. Emphasis will not be on speaking, listening and writing German, but rather reading and translating German. GN 503 will cover chapters 1-15, chapters 16-30 will be covered in GN 504.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will acquire basic German translation skills in order to successfully translate a German scholarly text with the help of a dictionary.
Students will acquire German pronunciation and reading skills.
Students will learn basic German sentence structure and grammar.
Students will acquire basic German vocabulary in order to translate a text.
Students will learn how to use a dictionary and existing translating tools for translations.
GRADING
GN 503 is a pass/fail course. I recommend, however, that you expose yourself to as much written German as possible. You might find it also helpful to watch German language films to help with your pronunciation of the language. Students will pass the course/s if they are able to translate two German texts from their field of study.POLICY ON MISSED EXAMS AND COURSEWORK
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
GN 503 is a pass/fail course but you are still expected to prepare all assignments on time and take the tests as explained in the course requirements section.
Regular attendance is crucial because we will cover a huge amount of material. The more you study outside of class, the less you have to spend in class. The study of the grammar structure for every chapter is crucial, as is the memorization of basic vocabulary. Please prepare for every day the assigned chapters by reading before class the grammar section and study the basic vocabulary. We will then discuss the grammar in class and work on translations. You will also be assigned to prepare translations of readings. Three translation exercises/exams will be given along with regular short quizzes testing basic vocabulary and translation skills. Every student will prepare three translations of texts of own choice from his/her field of study. You have to provide the class first with a copy of the texts you wish to translate so we can check if the text(s) are on the appropriate level. Grades on the tests are solely for your benefit and do not go into a final grade. So relax, no stress in this course!
UA GRADUATE PROGRAM LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
This course is the first half to prepare the students to pass the German reading proficiency test to fulfill the language requirement as stated by various Graduate Programs. Please note that simply attending GN 503/504 does not fulfill the language requirement. The German reading proficiency test can be taken at a prearranged date, usually at the end of GN 504. It is the student's responsibility to confirm that the Graduate School receives the proper documentation of having passed the reading proficiency test.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the official Code of Academic Conduct provided in the Online Catalog.
STATEMENT ON DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) as detailed in the Online Catalog.
PREGNANT STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Title IX protects against discrimination related to pregnancy or parental status. If you are pregnant and will need accommodations for this class, please review the University’s FAQs on the UAct website.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Under the Guidelines for Religious Holiday Observances, students should notify the instructor in writing or via email during the first two weeks of the semester of their intention to be absent from class for religious observance. The instructor will work to provide reasonable opportunity to complete academic responsibilities as long as that does not interfere with the academic integrity of the course. See full guidelines at Religious Holiday Observances Guidelines.
UAct STATEMENT
The UAct website provides an overview of The University's expectations regarding respect and civility.
SEVERE WEATHER PROTOCOL
Please see the latest Severe Weather Guidelines in the Online Catalog.
STATEMENT ON COVID-19
All University faculty, staff, and students are expected to maintain a commitment to the health and safety of our campus community. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, specific health and safety standards are in place to minimize exposure and community spread on campus. In the interest of your health and safety and that of all UA students, faculty and staff, the University reserves the right to change the mode of instruction or schedule of instruction at any time, based upon prevailing public health and other guidance. While the method of delivery may change, educational instruction and opportunities will continue. As such, the University will not provide a refund of tuition, in whole or in-part, based on any such changes. Detailed information on changes in format or schedule can be found at studentaccounts.ua.edu and financialaid.ua.edu.
All students must be familiar with and abide by the requirements outlined in the UA Return Plan | UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan. Students must (1) wear a mask or face covering at all times while participating in face-to-face class; (2) adhere to social distancing standards; and (3) comply with all other health and safety restrictions. If a student refuses to comply with the requirements, the student will be asked to leave the class and reported for a conduct violation. Unless a student has an exemption from the requirement to wear a face covering, (more information can be found at ods.ua.edu/covid-19-disability/), the student will be reported to Student Life for further disciplinary action. More information on these requirements and UA Healthcheck system and screening can be found at healthinfo.ua.edu/returnplan. You are expected to visit the site and comply with all noted requirements related to in-person class attendance.
Kursplan GN 503
1.
18. August
Kapitel 1, 2
2.
25 . August
Kapitel 3 3.
1 . SeptemberKapitel 4
submit text for approval for Übersetzung 14.
8. SeptemberKapitel 5 5.
15. SeptemberKapitel 6
6.
22. SeptemberKapitel 7
submit Übersetzung 17.
29. SeptemberKapitel 8
submit text for approval for Übersetzung 28.
6. OktoberKapitel 9 9.
13. Oktober
Kapitel 10
10.
20. OktoberKapitel 11
11.
27. OktoberKapitel 12
submit Übersetzung 2
12.
3. November
Kapitel 13
submit text for approval for Übersetzung 313.
10. November
Kapitel 14
submit Übersetzung 314.
17. NovemberKapitel 15 15.
1. DezemberTestübersetzung
Dictionaries
LEO Dictionary: German<->English English-German/German-English; excellent, fast, covers also idiomatic expressions
PONS Online English-German/German-English; look on bottom of page; covers also idiomatic expressions
Student-Online Wörterbuch English-German/German-EnglishVocabulary
Most Frequent German Words First - third year vocabulary, other vocab resources, from U of Michigan
1000 Most Common German Words with pronunciation, list can be downloaded
Deutsche Welle Learn German Online Resources
B1 Wortliste Goethe-Institut (pdf, nur Deutsch!)
Die häufigsten Wörter in deutschsprachigen Texten (Duden)
Beilstein Dictionary for users of the Beilstein Handbook of Organic Chemistry
Grammar, Exercises etc.
German Grammar, Exercises etc. by Nancy Thuleen
Translating
Google Translate has evolved, but do not cheat yourself by relying on it for this course
Foreign.Com online translation; for many languages; same comments as above applyEnglish-German Websites for Translation Practice
Museen in Köln - Museums in Cologne pick a museum and read the description in both languages (click on the left on English version)
Die Varus Schlacht / The Battle of Varus from the Museum Kalkriese, switch between German, English, or Dutch to read about one of the great battles of history
Luther 2017 500 Years of Reformation, switch between various languages
Ludwig van Beethoven the year 2020 marked Beethoven's 250th birthday
Die Berliner Mauer - The Berlin Wall History and background
Gerhard Richter learn about one of the most highly paid contemporary artists, switch between German, English, and other languages
Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden Learn about a small sculpture park with contemporary art, switch between German and English
Museum Ludwig One of the great contemporary art museums in Cologne / Köln, switch between German and English
Tatsachen über Deutschland Facts about Germany; official site from the German Federal Foreign Office
General Interest
DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst - German Academic Exchange Service
LeMO "Lebendiges virtuelles Museum Online" vom Deutschen Historischen Museums (DHM)
Back to Home Page
