COURSE NUMBER: GER 105


			Text only

GER 105

I. TITLE: Introduction to German Culture

II. CATALOG DESCIPTION:
A survey of the contemporary culture of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with emphasis on the values, behavioral characteristics, social and political systems and achievements of German-speaking people. Conducted in English.

III. PURPOSE:
To develop an understanding of the history, geography, political and social systems and culture of Germany. The course also cultivates “Characteristics of the Murray State Graduate.” It
A. encourages independent thought and expression through effective oral and written communication

1. Students present a group oral project in which every student must participate in the oral performance and communicate information effectively to the class.
2. Students write a written term paper of 5-6 pages in length in which they are also graded on effectiveness of written communication.

B. encourages the understanding of the role and application of technology to solve problems of a changing world

Students use the internet for homework assignments to access information on problems created by losing World Wars I and II, by the unification of former East and West Germany, by the changing way of life as a result of the increasing role of the European Union, etc.

C. teaches critical understanding of Germany’s, Austria’s, and Switzerland’s historical, literary, philosophical and artistic traditions. Students

1. learn about the history of the German-speaking countries (most specifically Germany and Austria);
2. become acquainted with a novel written by a German recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature;
3. learn the connection between literature, political events, and economic systems;
4. learn something about German philosophers
5. learn about the German, Austrian, and Swiss architectural and artistic heritage.

D. teaches the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues:

1. Students compare and contrast the Germanic and American cultures as well as the cultural diversity within Germany as a result of the “Guest Workers” from Turkey, former Yugoslavia, Italy, Spain, etc.
2. Students learn about competing economic and political systems in reading, discussions and lectures about those systems before and after WWII (fascism, marxism, socialism, capitalism traditional, command, market and social market economies), how the systems influenced and actualized the two Germanys after WWII, and how the German government is reconciling differences as a result of Unification.
3. The class discusses complex moral and ethical issues in the context of WWII, post WWII (“collective guilt,” denazification, forced democratization, etc.), and Unification (i.e., reconciling the liberal abortion policy of former East Germany with the more conservative policy of the Federal Republic of Germany).

E. encourage responsible citizenship and an active role in a democratic society through

the learning of Germany’s post WWI history and lack of democratic tradition, the results thereof, and the seriousness with which Germans take their right to vote today (80% of the German citizens vote).

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
There are two major goals for this course. The first is to gain a working understanding of the culture of the Federal Republic of Germany. Secondly, the study of the culture of the German people will serve as a kind of case study which will help students acquire general approaches to culture and, by doing so, to increase their understanding, appreciation, and tolerance of other people of the world. The course
A. introduces students to fundamental concepts and ways of knowing in the discipline of cultural studies

by using Germany as a case study to investigate the history, geography, political and social systems and thus the values, behavioral characteristics, and achievements of a people.

B. promotes interdisciplinary understanding by clarifying how the study of cultures contributes to an understanding of other societies and one’s own society

1. by having lectures and discussions on art, architecture, music, economics, etc. in the German-speaking countries and their function in society
2. by comparing, and contrasting German, Austrian, and Swiss cultures with that of the United States.

C. promotes international perspectives

1. by viewing culture in German-speaking countries and
2. by learning how Germans perceive our culture.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE:
This course familiarizes the student with a broad cross section of German culture. Included in the list of topics to be treated will be its geography, historical highlights, cultural and intellectual heritage, and social institutions such as education, politics and government, mass media, and economy. Although the cultures of the German-speaking people of Austria and Switzerland will be included, the course will concentrate on the reunited Federal Republic of Germany.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Students are expected to read all assigned reading materials, to prepare homework assignments on time, and to participate in class discussions. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and student presentations. In discussions students will be expected to make comparisons between German and American culture. Course assignments include an original paper on an aspect of German culture to be researched by the student. An oral presentation will be made by each student. ***Late assignments cannot be accepted late except by prior arrangement. No credit can be given for assignments turned in late.*** Assignments must be ready at the beginning of the class period.

The course
A. promotes student engagement in and responsibility for learning through active learning methodologies:

1. group discussions
a. students will regularly form groups of 4-5 students to discuss readings, articles, projects, products, findings from homework assignments, etc.
2. student projects and oral reports, and
3. teamwork
a. students will work in teams to plan an oral presentation.
The course will also focus on thematic and issue-oriented approaches, such as history, contemporary versus historical politics in Germany, problems associated with Unification, education, marketing, business etiquette, religious issues, values, and behavioral characteristics of contemporary German-speaking countries.

B. requires a significant amount of reading (textbook, articles on reserve, internet, research material), writing (summary handouts on textbook readings, summary write-ups on articles, a term paper), speaking (student discussions, oral presentations), and critical thinking (analyses of comparative system; viewpoints on religious, moral, and ethical issues; comparisons and contrasts of different cultures, including our own)

C. promotes the use of computer technology to solve the problems of a changing world through

1. homework assignments and term paper research using the World Wide Web and the Internet
2. readings of The Week in Germany, a weekly publication by the German Information Center available on the Internet
3. encouragement to use computer presentation programs such as PowerPoint and Compel as part of the group oral project.

VII. FIDLD, CLINICAL, LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
Periodically, videos will be assigned to be viewed either in the Language and Culture Resource Lab (FH 403) or checked out from the Media Center downstairs in the Waterfield Library. Students will also be given assignments on the World Wide Web.

VIII. RESOURCES:
Students should read (available, free of charge) The Week in Germany, a weekly publication by the German Information Center in New York, Tel. 212-888-9840 (German Information Center, 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022). Occasional assignments and possible quiz questions may come from The Week in Germany. It is also available on the Internet: gic1@ix.netcom.com
Students are encouraged to attend movies in the Cinema International program as well as activities planned by the Foreign Language Club and Alpha Mu Gamma (the honor society for foreign languages). Other resources include videos in the Language Lab (FH 403), and materials on reserve in the Library.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:
100 pts. Oral Report(s)
200 pts. Research paper (5-7 pages)
200 pts. Quizzes; Active class participation, discussion leading, and homework
300 pts. Written exams.

Exams will be in the form of multiple choice, short answer, short essays, and long essays. Exams will carry a heavy essay component. Essays are designed to enable the student to demonstrate not only his/her knowledge of the material, but also to analyze texts, draw conclusions, make parallels and contrasts, develop logical arguments, and extrapolate data and arrive at conjectural knowledge. A pre-test will be given composed of material that will be learned in the course of the semester.

The research paper will be judged not only on the content but also on the student’s quality of communication through writing. Likewise, the oral reports, the active participation, and discussion leading will be evaluated on content and on the student’s effectiveness in oral communication.

200 pts. Final exam.

The final exam includes material learned throughout the course and will include comprehensive, analytical essay-type questions.

1000 pts.

There will be no make ups for missed tests or quizzes unless at the discretion of the instructor in extreme cases.
High academic standards will be maintained through extensive readings from the textbook and articles on reserve in the library, quality research papers, thorough exams, and continuous critical thinking in every activity and exam.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance at all class meetings is expected. Absences will affect your grade. Because of the emphasis on class participation and discussion, attendance is crucial. Our activities depend upon the full participation of each class member. Points will be deducted from your participation grade for each class missed. You are allowed to miss up to 2 class meetings for documented illness and family emergencies only. Missing one-fourth of the class meetings for any reason (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade.
Unusual genuine documented emergencies or official documented Murray State absences will be evaluated case by case by the instructor.
An absence is NOT an excuse for being unprepared!

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
1. It is the responsibility of every student to be informed about the collegiate Academic Integrity Policy. Cheating in whatever form constitutes academic dishonesty.
2. Copies of the policy are available in: CIV workbooks, Classroom bulletin boards, Department of Foreign Language Office, Dean of Humanistic Studies Office, and the College of Humanistic Studies Home Page.
3. Your signature on every assignment, quiz, and exam represents a pledge that you have adhered to this policy.
4. I expect students to abide by the highest ethical standards.

XII. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
To be obtained from the Professor: Kapler, Arno and Adriane Grevel, eds. Facts about Germany. Kathleen Müller-Rostin, trans. Frankfurt am Main: Societäts-Verlag, 1995.
This book contains extensive factual information and is meant more as a foundation, as a means to establish basic information, and as a point of departure for further discussion beyond the realm of the book. It is not meant to be the exclusive basis for information.

On Reserve in the Library: A collection of approximately 40 newspaper and magazine articles on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from such sources as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and U.S. News and World Report, and Associate Press articles from a variety of newspapers.

Böll, Heinrich. The Clown. Leila Vennewitz, trans. New York: Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd., 1977.

a library of World Wide Web sites

This course was developed by Murray State and there are no textbooks on the market that fulfill our needs, therefore necessitating the current approach.

XIII. PREREQUISITES: None.

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo