Catalog  Description  for  a  New  Course  Proposal  (form  attached)   Germ 370: German Through the Arts will focus on advanced-level language development in an authentic historical and cultural context. Arts (film, music, theater, paintings etc.) will be approached as a vehicle for fostering all four linguistic skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and as a medium to teach cultural and historical awareness. Through guided homework tasks, interactive class discussions, weekly writing assignments, oral presentations and exams, students will advance their language proficiency to the Advanced Mid or Advanced High levels on the ACTFL scale; deepen their knowledge of German cultural and historical issues; improve their analytical skills; and become more critical consumers of media and arts.

Course  Justification   Germ 370: German Through the Arts is designed to go beyond the study of a specific genre and will focus on advanced-level language development in an authentic historical and cultural context by use of content-based instruction as opposed to a genre approach. The course is intended to strengthen the German Minor by offering an additional focus on the contemporary culture in the German-speaking countries. There are also currently no German courses that teach film, music or theater. In discussing a broad range of topics from World War II to contemporary Germany in the globalized world, the proposed course will speak to students majoring in Global Affairs, Conflict Analysis, History, Film and Visual Studies, the Performing Arts as well as Gender Studies. Course enrollment is expected to meet the college requirement of 15 students with a maximum of 25 students. Current German faculty will be able to teach the proposed course. Attached is the syllabus with a focus on film.

For approval of new courses and deletions or modifications to an existing course.

Course Approval Form

registrar.gmu.edu/facultystaff/curriculum

Action Requested:

Course Level:

ü Create new course Inactivate existing course Modify existing course (check all that apply) Title Prereq/coreq Other:

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences Natalia Dudnik

College/School: Submitted by: Subject Code:

Germ

Number:

ü Undergraduate Graduate

370

Grade Type

Department: Ext:

Modern and Classical Languages

5260

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(Do not list multiple codes or numbers. Each course proposal must have a separate form.)

Title:

Fall Spring Summer

[email protected]

Year

2015

Current Banner (30 characters max including spaces) New German Through the Arts

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3

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Prerequisite(s):

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Lecture (LEC) Lab (LAB) Recitation (RCT) Internship (INT)

Corequisite(s):

6

Independent Study (IND) Seminar (SEM) Studio (STU)

Instructional Mode: ü 100% face-to-face

GERM 250, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.

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Catalog Copy for NEW Courses Only (Consult University Catalog for models) Description (No more than 60 words, use verb phrases and present tense) Focuses on advanced-level language development through the investigation of German arts (film, music, theater, paintings, etc.) in their historical and cultural contexts. Oral and written competence achieved by means of integrated vocabulary and grammar study in content-based instruction. Indicate number of contact hours: When Offered: (check all that apply)

ü

Notes (List additional information for the course) May be repeatable if arts vary. Title may be modified according to the art.

Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week: Fall Summer ü Spring

3

Hours of Lab or Studio:

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revised  11/8/11

 

GERMAN 370: GERMAN THROUGH THE ARTS (FILM) GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

Instructor: Office: Office hours:

E-mail:

Time and Classroom: Program Coordinator: Dr. Natalia Dudnik; Aquia Building 308; [email protected]

COURSE  DESCRIPTION   In this course, students will investigate a number of contemporary German films in their historical and cultural context with a focus on content and the development of four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) by means of guided viewings, writing assignments, interactive class discussions, oral presentations and a final written exam. Each film will be accompanied by pre-viewing, viewing and post-viewing activities with an emphasis on the films’ themes, cultural and historical backgrounds, vocabulary acquisition and grammar review. Students are expected to view the films and complete writing assignments at home. Classroom discussions and oral presentations are means to improve students’ oral competence. It is therefore crucial to attend all class sessions, participate in class activities and do homework in a timely fashion. The course is taught entirely in German. By the end of the semester students will be able to -

Discuss a number of German films in their historical and cultural context in a critical manner; Use basic principles of film interpretation; Develop and apply critical thinking skills; Demonstrate the language proficiency between Advanced Mid and Advanced High levels on the ACTFL scale for reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

PREREQUISITES   GERM 250, appropriate placement score, or permission of instructor.

REQUIRED  TEXTS   Borra, Adriana and Ruth Mader-Koltay. German Through Film. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2006. Students are encouraged to use an online dictionary such as dict.cc

REQUIRED  FILMS   Jenseits der Stille by Caroline Link (1996) Comedian Harmonists by Joseph Vilsmayer (1997) Lola rennt by Tom Tykwer (1998) Aimée und Jaguar by Max Färberböck (1998) Im Juli by Fatih Akin (2000) Was tun, wenn’s brennt by Gregor Schnitzler (2001) Nirgendwo in Afrika by Caroline Link (2001) Good Bye, Lenin! by Wolfgang Becker (2003) The films will be available on the library reserve. Most films are also to be found on Netflix.

ASSESSMENT   Attendance and Participation 20% Homework 20% Essays 30% Oral Presentation 15% Final Exam 15%

ATTENDANCE  AND  PARTICIPATION   Class meets twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Since attendance and participation are crucial for your success in class, you are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. Missing more than two class sessions will result in a lower grade – your instructor will subtract 3% off your attendance grade for each absence after the second. Coming late or leaving early twice will count as one day of absence. Prolonged absence from class caused by severe emergency should be brought immediately to the attention of your instructor. Participation is recorded every day. This course is designed to be based on class discussion, which will be fueled from the participants’ varied backgrounds. Your opinion and experiences are important for this class to properly function. Thus, your participation is essential. The following criteria will be used to determine your daily participation grade (based on a 0-5 point scale): 5. Always well-prepared; is eager to volunteer and attentive; actively participates in class discussions; responds to and engages classmates in a respectful manner; remains critical and open-minded toward target and native culture.

4. Usually well-prepared; is attentive and volunteers occasionally; tries to participate in class discussions; makes some effort to engage fellow students; shows some development of cultural sensitivity. 3. Adequately prepared and attentive; often waits to be called upon; does not engage classmates beyond the minimum requirements. 2. Is unprepared; makes little effort to participate in class discussions. 1. Makes no contribution to class whatsoever and does not have course books in class. 0. Is absent from class.

HOMEWORK   You will be responsible for all material included in the syllabus as well as any additional homework assignments given by your instructor. Each class you will be required to hand in the assigned viewing and post-viewing tasks. For completed homework, you will receive 10 points. Late homework will not be accepted. Viewing the films and completing assignments prior to each class are essential since they are the basis of a productive discussion. To be prepared for class, you must view the assigned films/film portions completely, carefully and critically in your own time.

ESSAYS   In the course of the semester, you will write three (3) short essays (hard copy) on a topic of your choice. These essays should focus on some aspect of the films that you personally found interesting. If you have difficulties finding a topic, your instructor will make suggestions. One of the essays should be a film review. These papers do not require any outside research, but you are expected to give your own analysis and formulate your own perspective in at least one (1) page (Times New Roman 12). You must cite your sources. Failure to cite will be considered as plagiarism and reported to the University. It will also result in an F for the course. More details will be given in class. There will be two drafts of each essay. You will receive feedback on your first draft that you will include in your final draft. Before submitting your essay, proofread it, check for grammar, spelling mistakes, word order and coherence. The essay will be graded according to the following criteria: First Draft (100%) Text: Content

30%

Vocabulary

30%

Grammar

30%

Mechanics (spelling, punctuation and capitalization)

10%

Second Draft (50%) EXCELLENT: All requested revisions were addressed.

50%

GOOD: Only some requested revisions were addressed or corrections were partially incorrect.

40%

POOR: Requested corrections were not addressed.

30%

ORAL  PRESENTATION     At the end of the semester, you will make an oral presentation on an additional film not discussed in class. In 10-15 minutes, you will provide a brief summary, your reasons for choosing the film and a short analysis. You will not be allowed to read from a script. Use notes only. The grading criteria are the following: Content, Interpretation and Originality

50%

Vocabulary

15%

Grammar

15%

Pronunciation

10%

Fluency

10%

FINAL  EXAM   During Finals Week, you will write an exam that focuses on the films’ content and historical backgrounds as well as vocabulary and grammar discussed in class.

GRADES   The final letter grade will be assigned as follows: 98-100 93-97 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 73-76 70-72 60-69 0-59

A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD F

HONOR  CODE   You are encouraged to discuss the work of the course with others. However, it is expected that all work submitted for evaluation and/or grade be your own work. If you use ideas or opinions of others, in direct quotation or in paraphrase, whether obtained from online or printed sources, you must make the necessary acknowledgments. On tests, or in writing papers, no assistance of any kind may be used, unless the instructor has specifically authorized such use. For more information, visit http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode/.

DISABILITY   The Office of Disability Services at GMU facilitates equal access for students with disabilities to university programs, events, and services. The ODS staff is committed to working individually with students to help them choose the most effective accommodations of services. Students must contact ODS directly to register for services at Student Union Building 1, Room 222; Phone: 703-993-2474. The instructor will provide all the necessary accommodations.

SYLLABUS1   Important Dates First day of classes; last day to submit Domicile Reclassification Application; Payment Due Date Labor Day, university closed Last day to add classes—all individualized section forms due Last day to drop with no tuition penalty Last day to drop with a 33% tuition penalty Last day to drop with a 67% tuition penalty Midterm progress reporting period (100-200 level classes)—grades available via Patriot Web Selective Withdrawal Period (undergraduate students only) Columbus Day recess (Monday classes/labs meet Tuesday. Tuesday classes do not meet this week) Incomplete work from spring/summer 20.. due to instructor Incomplete grade changes from spring/summer 20.. due to registrar Thanksgiving recess Last day of classes Reading Day Exam Period Degree Conferral Date

1

Note: This syllabus is subject to change.

DATUM WOCHE 1 Montag Mittwoch

WOCHE 2 Montag Mittwoch

WOCHE 3 Montag

Mittwoch WOCHE 4 Montag

Mittwoch WOCHE 5 Montag

Mittwoch

WOCHE 6 Montag

HAUSAUFGABEN

die erste Hälfte von Jenseits der Stille zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten

LEHRSTOFF Einführung, Deutsche Filmlandschaft Jenseits der Stille: Vor dem Film

Labor day: kein Unterricht die zweite Hälfte von Jenseits der Stille zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Jenseits der Stille: Nach dem Film; Lola rennt: Vor dem Film

die erste Hälfte von Lola rennt Lola rennt: Nach dem Film zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten die zweite Hälfte von Lola rennt zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Lola rennt: Nach dem Film; Im Juli: Vor dem Film

die erste Hälfte von Im Juli zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Im Juli: Nach dem Film

die zweite Hälfte von Im Juli zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Im Juli: Nach dem Film; Was tun wenn’s brennt?: Vor dem Film

die erste Hälfte von Was tun wenn’s brennt?zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Was tun wenn’s brennt?: Nach dem Film

die zweite Hälfte von Was tun wenn’s brennt?zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Was tun wenn’s brennt?: Nach dem Film; Comedian Harmonists: Vor dem Film

die erste Hälfte von Comedian

Comedian Harmonists: Nach

Der erste Aufsatz (Kopie 1) fällig

Harmonists zu Hause schauen; dem Film Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten Mittwoch

WOCHE 7 Montag Mittwoch WOCHE 8 Montag Mittwoch WOCHE 9 Montag

Mittwoch

WOCHE 10 Montag

Mittwoch WOCHE 11 Montag

Mittwoch

die zweite Hälfte von Comedian Harmonists zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Comedian Harmonists: Nach dem Film Der erste Aufsatz (Kopie 2) fällig

Aimée und Jaguar zu Hause anfangen die erste Hälfte von Aimée und Jaguar

Aimée und Jaguar: Vor dem Film Aimée und Jaguar: Nach dem Film

die zweite Hälfte von Aimée und Jaguar zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten Nirgendwo in Afrika zu Hause anfangen

Aimée und Jaguar: Nach dem Film

den ersten Drittel von Nirgendwo in Afrika zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Nirgendwo in Afrika: Nach dem Film Der zweite Aufsatz (Kopie 1) fällig

den zweiten Drittel von Nirgendwo in Afrika zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Nirgendwo in Afrika: Nach dem Film

Nirgendwo in Afrika: For dem Film

Nirgendwo in Afrika bis zum Nirgendwo in Afrika: Nach Ende schauen; dem Film Nach dem Film Aktivitäten Der zweite Aufsatz (Kopie 2) fällig Good Bye, Lenin! zu Hause Good Bye, Lenin!: Vor dem anfangen Film den ersten Drittel von Good Bye, Lenin!zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem Film Aktivitäten

Good Bye, Lenin!: Nach dem Film

den zweiten Drittel von den ersten Drittel von Nirgendwo in Afrika zu Hause schauen; Während und/oder nach dem

Good Bye, Lenin!: Nach dem Film

Film Aktivitäten zu Hause schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten WOCHE 12 Montag Mittwoch WOCHE 13 Montag Mittwoch WOCHE 14 Montag Mittwoch WOCHE 15 Montag Mittwoch

Good Bye, Lenin! bis zum Ende schauen; Nach dem Film Aktivitäten Inhaltsfragen zu zwei ausgewählten Filmen bringen

Good Bye, Lenin!: Nach dem Film

Inhaltsfragen zu zwei ausgewählten Filmen bringen Thanksgiving: kein Unterricht

Schlussdiskussion

Vorträge

Der dritte Aufsatz (Kopie 2) fällig

Vorträge Vorträge Vorbereitung auf die schriftliche Prüfung

Schlussdiskussion Der dritte Aufsatz (Kopie 1) fällig