Your grade in this course depends on a variety of tasks and assignments as noted below. They are noted in the margin of your syllabus: N for class notes, S for short essays, P for presentations and Q for quizzes on the assigned readings. All are due the day they are so noted. Criteria for preparing and assessing these activities are discussed in detail below:
ATTENDANCE: A letter grade will be docked for more than 3 unexcused absences.
PREPARATION: Please print out HOs, pdf pages, or other texts and highlight at least 4-5 key terms or expressions to discuss or ask questions about in class.
PARTICIPATION: Prepare at least one question about the reading (vocabulary, content) to ask in class. Look at the discussion question on the syllabus for the class day and come prepared to respond to it in German.
You will be graded on a summary of what you understand as the main points of the hour. You will have about 5 minutes at the close of the hour to write what you think were key issues or ideas presented and your reactions to these ideas. Please include questions about vocabulary and what you did not understand or have questions about. 1 page, double-spaced suffices. Bring lined paper, 8 by 11.
Grading:
5 essays -- 5 points each
Essays consist of a short summary of the main events in the reading (either the relevant literary text or a web site) in an initial paragraph followed by a second paragraph that addresses the questions for class discussion. Length between 150 to 250 words, that is 1 DOUBLE-SPACED typewritten page.
For small group work your verbal or written contributions (the notes you make given the task) suffice for full credit as long as they address the issue assigned and are in German. This is my "participation" grade -- admittedly subjective but registering at a minimum the written version of your insights submitted at the end of the class hour.
For your individual presentations you will sign up for ONE report on the list handed out in class. Please take no longer than 5 minutes for your presentation plus an additional 5 minutes for a Q & A session. You will have a timer for your presentation and for the Q & A session.
Procedures:
1. MAKE EMAIL CONTACT OR SCHEDULE A MEETING FOR CONSULTATION ABOUT YOUR PRESENTATION AT LEAST ONE DAY IN ADVANCE (worth 20% of the total grade.)
2. PREPARE FOR THIS MEETING WITH CONCRETE IDEAS BUT PLEASE AVOID FOCUS ON BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR OR ARTIST -- AT MOST A MINUTE OR TWO FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT A WORK'S HISTORICAL CONTEXT (as part of a movement or a reaction to particular historical events.)
Grading:
The point of the quizzes is to motivate and help you with your reading. I will grade them on improvement. If you just try, you will always get enough credit so that your grade average otherwise will not be jeopardized. So far overall performance seems best from completion items so I will just have four of those on the next Quiz, then solicit feedback from you. PLEASE fill in the boxes underneath the statement in German (some of you have not).
TO ACCESS BLACKBOARD: log in to UTDirect, and you'll find a hot link to BLACKBOARD in the right-hand column. When you get to Blackboard, select our class number, then the Assignment notice will lead you to the Quiz. There you'll link to the quiz due on the upcoming class day. I am allowing you unlimited time and the option to change your answer. Feel free to consult with classmates but, obviously, do your own work.
The two exams provide you with opportunities to compare two works we have read for similarity or differences in treatment of particular motifs or features such as gender roles, attitudes toward different social classes, use of narrative style, and relationship of textual messages to the era in which it was written (the Zeitgeist.)
ATTENDANCE, PREPARATION, AND PARTICIPATION:
NOTIZEN:
5 class notes -- 3 points each
2 points for comprehensibility in 2-3 main ideas mentioned (clear reference)
1 point for spelling, grammar, legibility
SCHRIFTLICHE ARBEIT:
Grading:
1 point for summary statement (Dieser Text handelt von...+ Dativ! or Dieser Text bespricht..., behandelt + Akkusativ) with examples from the text
1 point for 2 features of texts + brief illustration
1 point for epochal characteristic illustrated by these features
1 point for implications of work for period and what work says to you today
1 point plus or minus assessed for word order, spelling comprehensibility problems--can be regained if noted problems corrected by the subsequent class hour or in consultation with instructor if so indicated on the paper.
All papers must be double-spaced and typewritten. They must be handed in on the desk by the time class starts. No email or late papers will be accepted.
PRÄSENTATIONEN:
You can prepare your presentation either with a PPT or a word document I can put up on the computer.
INHALT, GLEICHSETZUNGEN, EINSTELLUNG ODER INTERPRETATION
2 points for checking with me either by appointment, email, or phone (O 232-6376, H 477-7449) at least one day before class to discuss any questions you may have, confirm your approach.
1 point for NOT reading aloud -- you may refer to your Powerpoint or handout but must elaborate extemporaneously for at least 50% of the presentation.
1 point for staying within the time limits.
6 points for content (clear topic, point to be made, 2-3 illustrations)
QUIZZES:
EXAMEN:
For the midterm exam, you will have a choice between one of two essays and have a possible 5 points on the essay using the criteria above ("schriftliche Arbeit") and 5 additional points possible for the individual German language discussion of both questions with the instructor(sign up for a time during the exam week).
The final exam will be online available on BLACKBOARD. You will have a choice of two from three possible essay questions, graded according to the short essay criteria.
Last update: February 2007
Send electronic mail to: jswaffar@mail.utexas.edu