| Advanced German I / GERM V3001 / Fall 2006 |
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| Fall Semester 2006 Important Dates |
Special Sessions |
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| Course Syllabus |
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Image |
Maps |
Media |
English |
Final Presentation |
Electronic Mailbox |
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Imagine exploring Berlin while still in a Columbia German-language classroom. Even if you can't smell Berlin's legendary air, you can plan rides on its elevated subway trains, investigate the sights and sounds of the largest Turkish neighborhood outside Istanbul, join the protest against the demolition of a palace and plans to build a castle, and find out what it would be like to study at the Freie Universität or Humboldt Universität.
Goals for cultural and language development:
Advanced German I provides chances to explore Berlin in a media-supported, student-centered, communicative classroom environment. Seeing, hearing, reading, speaking, and writing German based in Berlin 2006, students interpret input from a variety of media, interact with a variety of partners, and present what they learn and/or want to learn more about Berlin 2006. Goals include:
1) Students increase ease in reading short, thematically related German texts, 2) develop interpretive skills needed for communicating questions, ideas, and opinions, 3) build vocabulary and ability to define German words using German, 4) become comfortable interacting with authentic forms of German media, and 5) get ready to present ideas, findings, and questions to native German audiences. In-class activities strengthen oral and written communication and the ability to engage in critical analysis in German, so that each student is able to prepare and present a solid research project proposal.
Prerequisites:
Students who have successfully completed CU's Intermediate German must present 1202/1225 German Portfolio for review by the instructor. Non-CU students must meet with the instructor for an interview.
Advanced German I is required of all students who major or concentrate in German at Columbia University. It is strongly recommended for Spring 2007 BCGS candidates.
You decide to spend a 13-week semester in Berlin in the framework of German V3001. Having completed only two or three years of German, the new capital of Germany is full of linguistic and cultural challenges. In German V3001 you agree to an ambitious 13-week exploration of Berlin that includes 1) communicating ONLY in German in a cooperative environment, i.e., working with partners and in teams, 2) learning to negotiate Berlin's transportation system, 3) engaging cultural diversity in Berlin's multi-cultural neighborhoods, 4) taking a stand on issues in Berlin in 2006, 5) revisiting events in Berlin's complicated past, and 6) turning your Berlin experience into a research proposal and portfolio that could be used to apply for study or internship a Berlin university. For detailed information, go to "course-syllabus.doc".
Requirements:
1. Daily preparation and active participation in ongoing mini-explorations of Berlin's transportation system, its "multi-culti" neighborhoods, and the ongoing debates about dealing with Berlin's past. This includes daily readings, web-searches, and preparedness for individual and cooperative in-class activities, as well as development of increasingly challenging communication skills.
2. Students must prepare and get feedback on THREE assigned presentation/reflections that combine oral, written, and multi-media interpretations and mini-presentations on specific questions related to: a) getting around Berlin, b) Berlin's cultural scene, and c) how Berlin deals with its past. A final version of ONE oral presentation, ONE written reflection, and ONE multi-media presentation go into the student's portfolio (see 5b and 5c below). One of the three multi-media presentations may be recycled for the student's final presentation (see 5d below).
3. Regular, on-going discussion/journal entries (at least four per topic for a minimum total of 12 original entries intended to function as a source of an out-of-class language-learning space).
4. Completion of an authentic (albeit non-binding) application for admission to a Berlin university. The application includes a proposal for further research on a Berlin topic detailed by means of a multi-media presentation (see 5d below).
5. Creation of an electronic Berlin Portfolio that recaptures and presents the student's learning experience during the course of the entire semester in Berlin. Complete portfolio includes:
a. Application for study/internship
b. One written reflection on a Berlin issue explored during the semester (final version of one written reflection from 2 above)
c. One oral presentation on a Berlin issue explored during the semester (final version of oral presentation from 2 above)
d. A "multi-media Berlin tour" based on a Berlin personage, place, movement, scene, artwork, issue, and etc. chosen by student upon consultation with instructor. (This topic may or may not be related directly to issues explored during the semester as outlined in 2 above, subject to instructor approval).
e. An overall reflection on your learning process and progress focusing on language as well as cultural learning.
| Preparation and participation | 30% |
| First version of 3 presentations | 15% |
| Journal entries | 15% |
| Application and proposal | 15% |
| Final Portfolio | 25% |