Course Syllabus

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GER 1: Elementary German I

Overview

CATEGORY INFORMATION
Credits 4
Prerequisites None
Delivery Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com)
Dates See the Calendar.
Instructor See the Orientation module under the Modules tab.

Description

This 4-credit, online German language course is designed to facilitate the development of elementary skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course is based on research from computer-mediated communication and second language acquisition. Listening and speaking will be supported by technology such as Zoom, VoiceThread, and the Vista Higher Learning (VHL) Central site for language practice.

Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Listen to and understand short passages of spoken German and respond to content questions.
  2. Speak in short, complete sentences for a few minutes uninterrupted or speak for longer periods of time when reading aloud.
  3. Read short stories, poems, or websites on familiar topics.
  4. Write your own short stories, poems, and essays about familiar topics.

Organization

This course is made up of 11 lessons divided into 5 chapters. Each chapter corresponds with a themed chapter of the Sag Mal textbook. In German 1, you will be covering Chapters 01-05. There is a Canvas module for each lesson of the course. You can navigate to all assigned activities and assignments through Canvas.

For a typical chapter, you will complete the following activities and assignments:

  • Read selected pages from your textbook.
  • Complete selected grammar, listening, and video activities at VHL Central.
  • Take a quiz at VHL Central.

In addition, you will complete the following assignments: four live chats, three review exams, the Culture Project (completed in three parts throughout the semester), the Final Listening Exam, and the Final Oral Exam.

Note on Late Enrollment: If you enrolled late in this course, please contact your instructor immediately. This course moves quickly. You will want to make up any missed work as soon as possible and check your schedule for the live chats that begin in Lesson 02A. Please be aware that the chats are an important component of this course and need to be attended.

Online Learning and Attendance

This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. With a few notable exceptions (live chats and the Final Oral Exam), the instructor and students generally do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.

Notes on Synchronous Assignments

  • Live Chats: You will participate in several live chats with your classmates via Zoom. Most live chats correspond with a single lesson. For more information, see the Assignments section below.
  • Final Oral Exam: This assignment is similar to a live chat but encompasses content from the entire semester. For more information, see the Assignments section below.

Materials

Texts

Select and purchase ONE textbook bundle, EITHER the loose-leaf bundle OR the electronic bundle.

  • Loose-Leaf Bundle: Anton, C. & Barske, T. (2021). Sag Mal Loose-Leaf Text, vText (Electronic Text), and Supersite Plus Code with WebSAM (3rd ed.). Vista Higher Learning. [ISBN: 978-1543331981]
  • Electronic Bundle: Anton, C. & Barske, T. (2021). Sag Mal vText (Electronic Text) and Supersite Plus Code with WebSAM (3rd ed.). Vista Higher Learning. [ISBN: 978-1543331974]

This course makes use of the Sag Mal Supersite, a Vista Higher Learning site with textbook-related exercises and resources. To access the Supersite, click the Launch VHLCentral link in the course navigation menu. At the beginning of the semester, you will need to create an account with VHL Central, activate the code that came with your textbook bundle, and enroll in your Supersite course. A complete set of enrollment instructions is available in the Orientation module under the Modules tab.

Other Materials

In addition, you will need the following equipment:

  • Webcam
  • Headset with a microphone

Note on Built-In/Stand-Alone Microphones and Computer Speakers: Do NOT expect to use a built-in/stand-alone microphone and computer speakers during live chats and the Final Oral Exam. This combination will cause echo feedback and disrupt the conversation, and the instructor will be forced to mute you.

Library Services

Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.

Grading

Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.

Scale

LETTER
GRADE		 MINIMUM
PERCENT		 MINIMUM
POINTS
A 94.5 1465
A- 89.5 1388
B+ 87.5 1357
B 83.5 1295
B- 79.5 1233
C+ 77.5 1202
C 69.5 1078
D 59.5 923
F 0 0

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2891.

As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g. hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Note on To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.

Tutor.com logo Tutor.com

Tutor.com is a 24/7 tutoring service that provides students with assistance in coursework, test preparation, research, writing, and more for various subjects. The tutors are subject-matter experts, and each student will have personalized one-on-one sessions with them. Students can schedule their own tutoring appointments to engage in interactive sessions that include a whiteboard and chat feature. The service can be utilized on any device that has Internet access. Students are encouraged to use the service throughout the semester.

To utilize Tutor.com, perform the following steps:

  1. Click the Tutor.com link in the course navigation menu.
  2. Select your course from the Subject drop-down menu.
  3. Ask your tutor a question in the text box. If you're working with a document such as a rough draft of a writing assignment, you can upload the file here as well.
  4. Click the Get a Tutor button to begin the tutoring session.
    • A tutor will be assigned to you within 2 minutes, and you will then enter a virtual classroom with your tutor.
    • You will be able to communicate with your tutor by using tools such as a whiteboard and a chat feature.
    • File sharing will also be available for you and your tutor to review a document.
  5. Fill out the post-session survey to offer feedback on your experience.

For a more detailed overview of Tutor.com, please view the Access Tutor.com at Penn State World Campus video, or read the "How It Works" guide. If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com.

Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.

You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within 7 days of their due date.

Notes

  • Grading of Exams: You will see different information at different points in time. After submitting your exam, you will immediately see your responses and a tentative score. Once your instructor reviews and grades your exam, you will see a final score and his or her comments. After the due date, you will see the answers.
  • Use of English: For assignments, you should only use English when it is EXPLICITLY requested. If a language is not specified, use German.
  • Online Translators vs. Dictionaries: Using an online translator on an exam or to write an assignment is considered plagiarism and a violation of academic integrity. It will result in an F for the assignment and possibly being reported for a violation of academic integrity. On the other hand, feel free to use online dictionaries to translate words, phrases, or idioms. If you are not sure how a dictionary and a translator differ, please ask your instructor. You will be responsible for all uses of these items. The easiest way to avoid plagiarism is to use vocabulary and grammar directly from your textbook. If your textbook has shown you everything you are attempting to produce, then you will be safe.
ASSIGNMENT
GROUP		 POINTS
VHL Central Activities 500
VHL Central Chapter Quizzes 250
Review Exams 150
Live Chats 200
Culture Project 300
Final Listening Exam 50
Final Oral Exam 100
Total 1550

VHL Central Activities

Value: 10 x 50 PTS, 500 PTS total

The activities will be mostly reading and listening comprehension and grammar assignments designed to practice select topics from your textbook. Some short speaking and writing assignments may be included. The points reflect that you completed the assignments on time and that you have satisfactorily completed the assignments listed on each report.

You will also listen and watch a short video in German provided by your text. You will be asked to answer various questions about the videos that focus on content comprehension. You can watch the videos multiple times in order to practice listening skills. The points reflect the comprehension of German dialogue.

Note on Grades of VHL Central Activities: As you complete your activities for the half-chapter, you will notice that the points do not add up to 50 in VHL Central. Nevertheless, the activities for the half-chapter are worth 50 points in Canvas. Your PERCENTAGE CORRECT is what will transfer from VHL Central into Canvas. For example, if you earn an 80% in VHL Central, you will also earn 80% in Canvas, and your grade will appear as 40 points in Canvas (80% of 50 points is 40 points).

VHL Central Chapter Quizzes

Value: 5 x 50 PTS, 250 PTS total

You will take a short quiz that focuses on the learned grammar and vocabulary from each chapter.

Note on Grades of VHL Central Chapter Quizzes: When you take your quiz for each chapter, you will notice that the points do not add up to 50 in VHL Central. Nevertheless, the quiz is worth 50 points in Canvas. Your PERCENTAGE CORRECT is what will transfer from VHL Central into Canvas. For example, if you earn an 80% in VHL Central, you will also earn 80% in Canvas, and your grade will appear as 40 points in Canvas (80% of 50 points is 40 points).

Review Exams

Value: 3 x 50 PTS, 150 PTS total

There are three review modules interspersed between the lesson modules. During each review period, you will take a review exam in Canvas.

Live Chats

Value: 4 x 50 PTS, 200 PTS total

Live chats will be performed using Zoom, a Web conferencing platform that enables people to meet in real time, communicate via voice and text chat, and do much more. When you use Zoom for the first time, you will be prompted to download and install the software, which is provided for free by the university. You just need a computer, Internet access, and a headset with a microphone.

You need to participate in at least 4 chats: TWO chats by the end of Lesson 03B, and another TWO chats by the end of Lesson 05B. If desired, you may attend more chats to improve your listening and speaking skills and prepare for the Final Oral Exam. Your instructor will post live chat signups in the Calendar in Canvas. Go to the Calendar and use the Scheduler to see the current chat schedule and begin to sign up for chats. You are expected to attend the chats that you sign up for.

Your performance will be graded based on the following criteria: punctuality, preparation, and participation. For more information, see the rubric in each assignment.

Note on Live Chat Availability: Instructors will begin to post possible chat dates/times at the beginning of the semester. If after reviewing the potential chat dates, you determine that none of the times work, you need to be in continuous contact with the instructor in order to work out chat times. If you do not contact the instructor before the chats are due, or do not respond and/maintain contact with the instructor regarding chat times before they are due, zero points will be awarded for the missed chats.

Culture Project

Value: 3 x 100 PTS, 300 PTS total

The goal of the Culture Project is to learn a little about a German city and university of your choosing. You will play the role of a person living abroad, search out facts about that location, and share that information. Throughout the semester, you will create scripts and then narrate them in VoiceThread, another free web app provided by the university. There are three parts, each comprised of two sub-assignments: 1) a written text and 2) a spoken performance of that text.

Your written texts will be graded based on the following criteria: content, comprehensibility, and grammar/vocabulary. Your spoken performances will be graded based on the following criteria: pronunciation and fluency. For more information, see the rubric in each assignment.

Final Listening Exam

Value: 50 PTS

During the Finals period, you will take an online listening exam in Canvas. It will be similar to the listening sections of the chapter quizzes.

Final Oral Exam

Value: 100 PTS

During the Finals period, you will complete an oral exam with Zoom. This assignment is similar to the live chats, and guided topics or questions based on the text will be provided to you. You will complete the assignment with 2-3 classmates, but your grade does not depend on your classmates. Your instructor will post a signup in the Calendar in Canvas. Go to the Calendar and use the Scheduler to sign up for the Final Oral Exam.

Departmental Policies

Instructor Personal Policies

Your instructor may provide a section policy statement in the Orientation module in Canvas. This document will explain additional policies and procedures on various course requirements.

Foreign Language Placement

The Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures administers proficiency examinations. Check with the main office for test dates. Please consult with your advisor for questions regarding the university placement policy.

Primary and Back-Up Technical Support

If you are having problems (log in, download, browser, etc.), please reply to the Technical Help Discussion Forum or contact the support team listed below.

  • Canvas: Contact Canvas Support. (See the Help link in Canvas.)
  • VHL Central: Contact the VHL Central Support Center at https://vistahigherlearning.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.
  • VoiceThread: Contact the IT Service Desk at http://itservicedesk.psu.edu/.
  • Zoom: Contact PSU Zoom Support at https://zoom.psu.edu/support/.

If your problems remain or are not addressed in a timely manner, reach out to the German Online Director, Sharon Wailes.

University Policies

Language Placement Policy

Students who have studied German within the four years immediately before admission to Penn State might not be able to take this course for credit.

  • If you have had no more than one year of German previously, you are eligible to take German 1 for credit.
  • If you have had two or three years of German, you can take German 2 for credit, but not German 1.
  • If you have had four or more years of German, you can take German 3 for credit but not German 1 or 2.

You are responsible for determining if your previous study of German will influence whether the Penn State Registrar will grant you credit for the course. If you have questions, please meet with your advisor. The policy in its entirety is listed here: https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/general-information/academic-information/advising-planning-degree-program/course-placements/placement-policy-world-language-courses/

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all coursework entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete coursework and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves in jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:

  • Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
  • All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
    Again: Using an online translator on an exam or to write an assignment is considered plagiarism and a violation of academic integrity. It will result in an F for the assignment and possibly being reported for a violation of academic integrity.
  • All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

Disability Access

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.

Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.

Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.

Nondiscrimination

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/.

Reporting a Bias Incident

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.

TEACH Act

The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

University Emergency Procedure

In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.

In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at https://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at https://news.psu.edu.

To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.

Syllabus Subject to Change

The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due