GRM 102 FIRST COURSE IN GERMAN Spring 2010

Section: Instructor:
Office: e-Mail:
Hours: Phone:

Required Texts:
(1) Lovik/Guy/Chavez, Vorsprung, Second Edition, 2007.
(2) Quia Access code for Vorsprung on-line workbook and listening activities

Recommended Text: Zorach & Melin, English Grammar for Students of German, 5th ed. 2009.

Schedule: German 102 meets four times a week, usually MTTF with the instructor.
Wednesdays are reserved for occasional classes and testing as well as video assignments
(viewable at http://languagelaboratory.msu.edu/ or 141 Old Horticulture).
The NEW video worksheets are available on Angel and at
http://college.cengage.com/languages/german/lovik/vorsprung/2e/site_index.html

Course Contents: GRM 102 covers chapters 7-12 of Vorsprung and stresses communication in
listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Course Coordinator: Any course-related concerns or problems may be discussed with Prof.
Lovik (lovik@msu.edu). 355-3809. A-604 Wells

Language Lab and Tape Program: Daily work with the listening materials from Vorsprung is
required and extremely important. The audio texts from the book are available online at
http://college.hmco.com/languages/german/lovik/vorsprung/2e/resources/intext_audio.html
To access audio materials at the Cengage site, select the desired chapter in the dropdown
menu in the upper left, click on “Improve your grade,” click on either “In-text Audio files” or
“Sam audio files.” Additional vocabulary and practice test activities are also available at the
Cengage site. The video materials are on Angel and at http://languagelaboratory.msu.edu/
Username: german Password: grm102ss10

Previous German & the Placement Exam: Students who have had previous German
coursework in high school and may be eligible for a more advanced course are encouraged to
take the online German Placement Exam https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/FLPlacement/
The exam takes about 20 minutes. You may discuss your placement options with the course
coordinator -- Professor Lovik (Lovik@msu.edu) in A-604 Wells. Placement recommendations
are provided on the web at www.msu.edu/~Lovik.

Goal: The primary goal of GRM 101-102 is communication. Students learn to communicate
orally and to understand authentic spoken and written German. The grammar is learned outside
of class. Since good oral communication depends on good listening skills, it is essential that
students spend time outside of class with the listening program for Vorsprung. Class time will
be used to practice grammar in listening and speaking activities. Students are expected to
partici-pate. Students experiencing difficulties should consult their instructor or the course
coordinator.

Class Participation: Regular attendance in class is mandatory and accounts for 5% of your
final grade. Your participation grade will be based on the percentage of days attending class.
Effective class participation requires sufficient preparation before class. If you are unable to
attend class, PLEASE let your instructor know by phone or e-mail. Students who had German in
high school should understand that too many absences will negatively affect their grade.

Kaffeestunde: A limited number of class absences may be made up by attending the German
Club's Kaffeestunde on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Espresso Royale. Check with
your instructor for the details.

Quizzes: 20-minute quizzes will be given each week. The Homework Schedule has the dates.
MAKE-UPS must be discussed with your instructor beforehand and are usually not allowed.

Homework: All written homework is mandatory and comprises 10% of the final grade. All
homework should be double-spaced. Unacceptable homework may be redone and turned in the
next day FOR CREDIT. Late homework will not be accepted. See HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
FOR VORSPRUNG for daily assignments. Plan on spending at least 2 hours per night on
German. If you have questions, see you instructor before or after class or during office hours.
All students are expected to do their own homework. Use of online translation programs or
asking a native speaker to rewrite an assignment is not allowed and will result in a 0 for the
assignment.

On-Line Workbook. The workbook and listening materials are available at quia.com.
The access code purchased with your new textbook will allow you to do these activities
online. Your instructor will give you the course code. If you purchased a used book you
will need to purchase an access code at http://books.quia.com/books/bookstore.html You
are expected to do the workbook (and listening) activities on quia. Your instructor will
monitor your progress electronically.

Midsemester Exam: The midsemester exams will be given the first week of March. They will
include listening, speaking, reading & writing sections and will cover chapters 7-9. The written
portion will be on Fri. March 5.

Grading Policy: Attendance & Preparation .................................10%

Homework .........................................................................10%
Quizzes ..............................................................................30%
Midterm ..............................................................................20%
Final Exam (Oral, Listening, Reading, Structure, Writing) .30%

All quizzes and exams are graded according to the following percentages:
90-100% 4.0 70-75% 2.0
86-89% 3.5 66-69% 1.5
80-85% 3.0 60-65% 1.0
76-79% 2.5 [To pass the course you must receive 60%.]

FINAL EXAMS: A comprehensive final exam will be given on Wednesday May 5, 10 a.m. -
12 noon. Room to be announced. Speaking & listening finals will be given during class time the
last week of the semester.

Information about majoring in German and study abroad is available on the web at:
http://www.msu.edu/~linglang/german/index.htm
Viel Spaß!