2009 - Kenyon College

German 385: Weimar Film and Beyond
Berlin in Literature and Film– vom Weltdorf zur Weltmetropole.
Instructor:Janet Chapman
Winter/Spring 2009-2010
Time: M-F 11:18-12:07
Phone: 771-2299 291-3029 (home)
Email: [email protected]
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Course packet with copies of selected readings
Links to other web readings will be available on my classroom page
German in Review
A good German/English dictionary
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS: The course will introduce students to the rich
cultural history of Berlin. We will begin the first semester with a summary of the rise of Prussia
until 1871 and then discuss in detail Berlin’s fate during the Second German Empire and World
War One, as well as during the Weimar Republic and the rise of fascism. In the second semester
we will examine the divided city during the Cold War period and its current role as united
Germany’s capital. Students will read representative literature from each period, study the
architectural and artistic innovations of the city, and listen to its most famous composers. As
Berlin’s film industry was one of the first and most prominent before WWII and currently
promises to regain some of its former status, we will pay special emphasis on films from early
expressionism through current movies dealing with the division and reunification of the city.
The course seeks to improve reading skills and build your vocabulary knowledge. Daily class
discussions offer an opportunity to substantially improve your listening and speaking skills. To
reinforce previously learned grammatical aspects, we will be reviewing such grammar as
adjective endings, the passive voice, the subjunctive mood, relative pronouns, and present and
past participles used as adjectives. In addition, there will be a focus on vocabulary acquisition as
it is encountered in the course readings.
GRADING SUMMARY
PARTICIPATION
Homework assigments
QUIZZES
(4 per Semester)
PRESENTATIONS (Kurzreferate) (2 per Semester)
SHORT PAPERS (Arbeiten) (2 per Semester)
MIDTERM/FINAL PAPER (Schlussarbeit)
15%
10%
20%
10%
20%
20%
GRADING DETAILS:
PARTICIPATION (15%): All in-class discussion will be in German and students are expected
to come to class prepared (having read the assigned pages and thought about them) and be ready
to discuss. It is not enough simply to be present; you must also be engaged in the discussion. For
more details on Participation assessment, see the “Grading Rubric” below.
HAUSAUFGABEN (Hausaufgaben) (10%): You will have homework assigned on most days.
Written homework assignments are often a means of guiding you through a reading assignment
and will contain content questions and occasionally more open-ended interpretation questions.
Your answers will serve as the basis for discussion in the next class session. Hausaufgaben are
assessed on their thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and attention to grammatical structure (see the
more detailed “Grading Rubric” below).
In some cases, the written assignment is to write a typed, minimum 250-word Reaktion; unless I
have given you a specific topic, you may respond to the text in any way you see fit, but that
nonetheless makes clear you have done the reading assignment and given it careful thought.
Given the importance of timely preparation for the success of our in-class work, no late work
will be accepted. If you are absent, on the first day you return to class you must turn in the
assignment(s) for the day(s) missed. No homework will be accepted after that point. Since
quizzes and assignment due dates are announced well in advance, you will not be allowed to
delay taking a quiz because of a one day absence. It is up to you to contact me or a classmate
well before the next class to find out about any in-class work that may need to be made up (e.g.,
quizzes), whether there have been changes to the syllabus assignments, or to seek clarification
about assigned homework.
QUIZZES ON GRAMMAR/WORTSCHATZ(20%): You will have 4 quizzes over grammar
and vocabulary per semester. These quizzes will be focused on the particular grammatical
structures we have reviewed, and the vocabulary will come from the text we have just completed
reading.
PRESENTATIONS (Kurzreferate) (20%): You will give 2 short in-class presentations per
semester. Topics for the presentations will be on the authors we are reading or cultural topics
about Berlin. Presentations will be assessed based on a rubric to be provided at a later date. Peerassessment may also be part of the process.
SHORT PAPERS ON READINGS/FILMS (Arbeiten) (20%): In each semester you will write
two short papers of 1-2 pages (reflections and interpretations of the works we have studied). For
the 1st paper you will write a rough draft, which will be graded. Your final grade will be the
average of the grade for your rough and final drafts. Your grade is based on the coherence and
mastery of your interpretation as well as accuracy of grammar and lexical choices. I will provide
a rubric on which I will base my assessment.
MIDTERM PAPER/FINAL PAPER (Schlussarbeit) (20%): At the end of the first semester
you will have a paper on a topic of your choice (3-5 pages) In the second semester, you will
write a 5-7 page paper in German about a work or collection of works by one of the author or
authors about whom you did a presentation. The final paper should be on an author/authors, you
have presented on in either the first or second semester. Your final paper must include secondary
literature pertaining to the text and your own interpretation of the text. Biographical information
may be included to the extent that it supports your interpretation of the text. The final paper will
be due the week before you leave school. You will be working on the final research paper
throughout the course of the second semester. Since writing a paper of this length can be a
daunting task, there is a multi-part timeline for the Schlussarbeit (#1: identify author and text;
# 2: written notes/quotes from primary text; #3: short paper with your own interpretation of
primary text; #4: A is of possible secondary texts; #5: annotated bibliography of secondary
sources on work; #6: preliminary thesis statement and short paper summary; #7: first draft;
#8: final draft). I will announce the dates for each assignment well in advance. Grades will be
given for the items leading up to the final paper, as well as the paper itself. MLA formatting is
required, including parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited
GRADING RUBRIC
Participation and Hausaufgaben will be graded according to the following rubric:
Excellent Work (9-10)
• Goes beyond content; shows evidence not only of having completed the assignment, but
of critical (self-) reflection and/or reflection on broader questions posed by the course;
makes connections between various materials in the course and/or occasionally brings in
outside research/ideas.
• Language is not just comprehensible throughout, but thoughts are presented carefully,
with attention to detail, grammatical structure, style, and logical transitions; demonstrates
consistent editing and/or awareness of audience/register.
• Actively engages others and their thoughts in discussion; volunteers information and/or
takes risks; takes others’ criticisms seriously.
Developing Work (7-9)
• Assignment is completed; demonstrates knowledge of content; personal impressions and
immediate reactions are complemented by some self-reflection and some attempt at
critical analysis.
• Language is generally comprehensible and thoughts provide adequate information,
although some supporting detail may be lacking; work shows some development of ideas,
and awareness of broader issues; there is an apparent organization to thoughts, an
awareness of grammatical structure, and/or attention to register/audience.
• Provides thoughts and ideas when prompted and is cooperative in discussions; takes an
interest in others thoughts, respects and responds to them; takes occasional risks in
volunteering thoughts.
Unsatisfactory Work (6-7)
• Assignment is not done at all, or only very quickly, sloppily, and/or in a disorganized
fashion; demonstrates little or no knowledge of content; does not respond to tasks at all or
with unrelated or superficial answers; “bare minimum” responses composed primarily of
superficial impressions, e.g., “I thought it was boring, I didn’t like it, I love the X
character—he’s cool.”
• Language is often incomprehensible; ideas are disconnected and/or inappropriate to task;
little or no evidence of (self-) reflection or attempt to make broader connections; very
•
frequent mistakes in content and/or grammatical structure; little or no evidence of editing
or attention to audience.
Does not participate in discussions, or only reluctantly; speaks only when spoken to; is
dismissive of others’ thoughts or apathetic; uncooperative and/or consistently negative.
OTHER CONCERNS:
ABSENCE POLICY: This is a college level course and given the importance of daily practice
in learning a language, absence from class greatly inhibits your progress. Irregular attendance
will lower your grade!!!
APPROACH TO READING: Do not attempt to understand every word. Adopt a strategy
whereby you limit yourself to looking up 5-10 words per page. Consider reading an opportunity
to build vocabulary so that reading skills become more proficient with each assignment.
Wortschatz-Arbeit is intended to help you retain vocabulary you learn throughout the semester
PRINTING AND 3-RING BINDER: Because we will be using so many loose pieces of paper
in this course, you are required to purchase a large three-ring binder in which you keep these
materials (three-hole punched!). Print all pages assigned for a particular day before class, and
bring them to class. This is also required
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The students and faculty of Kenyon College and the Department
of Modern Languages and Literatures are committed to academic integrity and will not tolerate
any violation of this principle. Academic honesty, the cornerstone of teaching and learning, lays
the foundation for lifelong integrity.
Academic dishonesty is, in most cases, intellectual theft. It includes, but is not limited to,
providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of
work to be submitted for evaluation. This standard applies to all work ranging from daily
homework assignments to major exams. Students must clearly cite any sources consulted—not
only for quoted phrases but also for ideas and information that are not common knowledge.
Neither ignorance nor carelessness is an acceptable defense in cases of plagiarism. It is the
student’s responsibility to follow the appropriate format for citations.
Using an outside source (computer or human) to translate a sentence or even a phrase from
or into German is not permitted under any circumstances, nor is repeatedly correcting
something and asking a German speaker, “Is it right now?” Dictionary websites are permitted for
single words only. The reason for this policy is that inappropriate use of such sources does not
reflect your own language or your knowledge of the German language. I immediately recognize
German that is not that produced by non-native students of German. If I believe you have used
such outside sources inappropriately, I will consider it academic dishonesty. Violations may
result in failure in the course.
HAVING PROBLEMS?: It is absolute essential that you let me know if you are feeling
overwhelmed (or bored!). Please don’t hesitate to talk with me about any aspect of the course.
THANK YOUS: My thanks to Professor Leo Riegert (Kenyon College) and Prof. Bernd Fischer
for all their help in organizing this course.
ARBEITSPLAN: Unless otherwise noted all assignments are due at the beginning of class on
the day listed. Assignments are subject to change.
Datum
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Woche 1:
Einführung/Verschollen in Berlin: ein
25. 8 – 28. 08 Hörspiel
Dienstag
Einführung in den Kurs
Besprechung- Partner Interview – Die
Sommerferien
Mittwoch
kurzer Aufsatz: 100-150 Wörter – Meine Safmeds
Sommerferien
Berlin – Was wissen wir schon über
Berlin – eine Liste erstellen.
Verschollen in Berlin (VIB) Listening
Activity Kapitel 1
Donnerstag
VIB Lesen Kapitel 1- 2; Fragen
SAFMEDS
beantworten.
(VIB) Kapitel 3-4 (Listening Activity)
Wortschatzarbeit– (5 wichtige Wörter)
Wortschatz
Freitag
Lesen:VIB (Kapitel 5-6) Fragen
SAFMEDS
beantworten
Wortschatzarbeit
Wortschatzarbeit
VIB Kapitel (7-8) (listening activity)
Woche 2:
031.08 –
04.09.
Der Reichstag/Politisches System in
Deutschland
Montag
VIB Kapitel 9 Fragen beantworten
Dienstag
Information über Orte im Hörspiel im
Was haben wir über Berlin gelernt?
Internet erforschen und morgen darüber
Übung macht den Meister – Safmeds
in der Stunde berichten.
competition.
Review for grammar, vocabulary quiz on Quiz
Wednesday
Die Wahl in Deutschland
SAFMEDS quiz
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
SAFMEDS
Fragen zum gesamten Text
Wegweisungen/ Wo ist ….?
Wie komme ich zum …?
Datum
Freitag
Woche 3:
07.09 – 11.09
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 4:
14.09-18.09.
Montag
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Go over quizzes
Stationen - Politik
Tag der Arbeit – keine Schule
In Internet forschen über die Partei, die
Sie vorstellen sollen.
In Internet forschen über die Partei, die
Sie vorstellen sollen.
In Internet forschen über die Partei, die
Sie vorstellen sollen.
Vorbereiten – Ihre Gruppe stellt ihre
Patei vor.
Historisches Berlin von 1740-1848
Stationen – Das deutsche politische
System
Stationen – Das deutsche politische
System
Stationen – Das deutsche politische
System
Präsentationen
Quiz Review - Politik
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Study for Quiz
Donnerstag
Revolution in Berlin -Berlin im
Biedermeier: von den Befreiungskriegen
bis 1848 (s, 65-72
Quiz
Berlins Anfänge
Freitag
Artikel über Bismarck lesen und die
Fragen beantworten
Woche 5:
21.09-25.09.
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Bismarck und seine Erbe
Was ist noch relevant für heute?
Das zweite Deutsche
Reich/Naturalisms/Hauptmann
Hauptmann – Biographisches
Naturalismus
Bahnwärter Thiel (S. 3- 5)
Bahnwärter Thiel/Charaktere
Lesen und Fragen beantworten
besprechen
Wortschatz – 10 wichtige Wörter im Text Kapitel 1 zu Ende lesen
identifizieren
Bahnwärter Thiel (Kapitel 2)
Bahnwärter Thiel Kapitel 3 (17-27)
Fragen zu Inhalt/Wortschatz
Bahnwärter Thiel (27-31)
Bahnwärter Thiel (31-36)
Fragen zum Inhalt/Wortschatz
Datum
Freitag
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Bahnwärter Thiel (36-43)
Woche 6:
Grammatik – Adjective
28.09—02.10. Endings/Besprechung von Bahnwärter
Thiel als Beispiel für Naturalismus
Montag
Bahnwärter Thiel Aufsatz (250-400
Wörter)
Charakteranalyse: Warum wird Thiel
Mörder? Rough Draft am Freitag fällig
Dienstag
Mittwoch
GIR (A-B evens only)
Bahnwärter Thiel – Charaktere
besprechen – Wortschatz für den
Aufsatz
Donnerstag
GIR (C-D) evens only
Wortschatz/Grammatik Übungen
Freitag
Rough Draft fällig
Wortschatz/Grammatik Übungen
Wortschatz/Grammatik Übungen
Wortschatz/Grammatik Übungen
Woche 7:
Erster Weltkrieg/
05.10 – 09.10.
Montag
Bahnwärter Thiel -Final drafts due on
Friday.
Discuss rough drafts
Lesen: Nach dem Fall der Mauer in GIR
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Germans last day in class.
Quiz – Grammatik und Wortschatz
Review for Quiz
Donnerstag
Freitag
Aufsatz fällig
Woche 8:
12.10-16.10.
Montag
Niederlage/Weimar
Republik/Tucholsky
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Tucholsky – Der Graben
Tucholsky –„’ n Augenblick Mal!
Donnerstag
„Der Löw ist Los-!“:
Freitag
Work on group project
historischer Überblick
Die Niederlage/Weimar Republik
Remarque- Biographisches -Im Westen
nichts Neues (Ausschnitte vom Film
ansehen)
kurze Gruppenprojekte besprechen
Biographishes - Tucholsky
Tucholsky „Der Mensch“
„’n Augenblick mal!“- Fragen
diskutieren
Löw ist Los - besprechen
Sinfonie einer Stadt in der
Klassenstunde ansehen
Datum
Woche 9:
19.10-23.10.
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 10:
26.10-30.10.
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 11:
02.11-06.11.
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 11:
09.11.-13.11.
Montag
Dienstag
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Döblin – Berlin Alexanderplatz
Gruppenprojekte sind heute fällig
Berlin Alexanderplatz s. 9-13
Berlin Alexanderplatz
Berlin Alexanderplatz (111-116)
Relative Pronomen
GIR S. 185 a-b
GIR 186-187 B & C
Präsentationen
Präsentationen – Expressionismus in
Berlin
UFA – Film Studios
Kurt Tucholsky und das romanische
Cafe
Döblin - Biographisches
Berlin Alexanderplatz (97-104)
Berlin Alexanderplatz (130-147)
Berlin Alexanderplatz – Episode in der
Stunde ansehen
Relative Pronouns /Wortschatz
Relative Pronouns /Wortschatz
Relative Pronouns /Wortschatz
Quiz
Irmgard Keun und Das kunstseidene
Mädchen
Imgard Keun – Biographisches
(student)
Zusammenfassung des Inhaltes des
ersten Teiles
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen/Fragen
Wortschatz (55-60)
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen/Fragen
Wortschatz (61-70)
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen Fragen
Wortschatz 71-77)
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen Fragen
Wortschatz (96-105)
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen/ Fragen
Wortschatz
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen/ Fragen
Wortschatz (115-122)
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen
85-96 in der Stunde lesen
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen
(15-115
Das Kunstseidene Mädchen
Vergleich – Die Situation von Franz
Biberkopf und das kunstseidene
Datum
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 12:
16.11-20.11.
Montag
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Mädchen
Skit vorbereiten
Skits (Franz Biberkopf trifft sie im
romanischen Cafe)
Skit vorbereiten
Franz Biberkopf wohnt in der Wohnung
über sie.
Skit vorbereiten
Franz Biberkopf trifft sie in der Kneipe
Fritz Langs Film M
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 13:
23. 11. –
25.11
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Freitag
Woche 14
30.11-04.12
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Diskussionsfragen beantworten
Freitag
Reflexion ( 250-300 Wörter) am
Montag fällig
Hitler Junge Quex
Woche 15
07.12-11.12.
Montag
Dienstag
Mittwoch
Donnerstag
Fritz Lang - biographisches
M in der Stunde ansehen
M in der Stunde ansehen
M in der Stunde ansehen
Stationen über den Film
Stationen – Fritz Langs M
Stationen über den Film
Stationen über den Film
Keine Schule. Erntedankferien
Keine Schule
Keine Schule
Aesthetik unter Faschismus
Leni Riefenstahl – biographisches
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Goebbels Zweck des Filmes im Dritten
Reich
Hitler Junge Quex- über die
Diskussionsfragen nachdenken
Hitler Junge Quex über die
Diskussionsfragen nachdenken
Hitler Junge Quex über die
Film besprechen und in der Stunde
ansehen
Film besprechen und in der Stunde
ansehen
Film besprechen und in der Stunde
Datum
Freitag
Woche 16
14.12-18.12
Hausaufgaben (due at the beginning of In der Stunde
class on the day listed)
Diskussionsfragen nachdenken
ansehen
Midterm paper – choose topic
Midterm Review