The course consists of two parts.
The first part is a course in German grammar that covers the use of German modal verbs and verbal syntax (the infinite verb forms, conjunctive and passive) needed to express complex sentences and written German. The second part is a basic course in language sounds (phonetics / phonology).
Upon completing the course, the student is expected to:
Knowledge
- have thorough knowledge of German grammar / language structure on a number of central topics (e.g., conjunctive, infinite syntax and passive)
- have good basic knowledge of German phonetics / phonology
- have basic knowledge of academic linguistic terminology (and knowledge of phonetic transcription using IPA signs)
Skills
- be able to use basic German grammar and academic phonetic / phonological terminology
- be able to describe and analyze relatively complicated structures in the German language
- be able to use simple syntactic analytic tools and basic phonetic transcription
General competence
- be equipped to develop his/her own practical and theoretical expertise in the German language
- be well prepared for studying German at the 200 level
Teaching includes lectures that presuppose active participation on the part of the students, as well as a exercise class.
One two-hour lecture and one two-hour practice colloquium weekly for 12 weeks.
One "preparation pack" per week for self-study
Students must attend at least 75 % of the teaching sessions.
Students must complete one exercise per week based on the "preparation packages". Eight exercises must be approved in order to sit for the exam.
All work requirements in the course must be approved by the academic instructor in the same semester before the candidate can take the written examination.
Mandatory assignments are valid for one additional semester following the semester of instruction.
The syllabus includes key elements of German grammar, phonology and language exercises.
The reading list will be ready by 1 Jun for the fall semester, and 1 Dec for the spring semester.