Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Intermediate German (Face-to-Face)

GERM 2010-01

Course: GERM 2010-01
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLPH
CRN: 30695

Course Description

This course is tailored for students taking German who are familiar with elementary structures and vocabulary of German (i.e., for students who have already taken a year of introductory college German or the equivalent). It aims to help you to continue to develop basic and intermediate skills in the core areas of language learning. In addition to the information provided by our textbook Kontakte, you will encounter texts and films designed to expand upon and deepen your knowledge of German language and culture. 
This course emphasizes the four primary language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) essential for successful second-language acquisition. You will spend most of your time working through materials on your own outside of class, and class sessions are designed to intensify what you have learned through active use of language, such as large-group discussion, partner work, small-group activities, and role-playing. Class will be conducted in German so that you have maximum exposure to the language. We will use a communicative learning approach. As such, communication and interaction are key components for success. You can expect to interact often with your instructor and in groups. Since German will be the primary language used in the class, it is highly recommended that students study the material, memorize vocabulary, and complete homework assignments thoroughly before class meetings.
Achieving these goals requires regular practice with the language, both in class and individually, and a willingness to experiment with new patterns of sounds and words, much of which can only be done in the classroom. Participation and daily assignments thus represent a vital part of your commitment to this course and of your grade, absences will be sharply penalized. Lessons will take on various formats such as lecture, group discussion, and partner work. Make sure to submit all assignments on the day and time outlined in Canvas. 

By the end of this course, you, the successful student, will have achieved the following objectives:
strengthened your passive and active vocabulary in German - 
→ learned to read and listen to authentic texts, such as fairy tales, in German with basic understanding - 
→ increased your proficiency in spontaneous and prepared speaking and writing situations - 
→ improved your ability to understand conversational German -
→ strengthened your existing knowledge of German grammar, including reviewing how to greet others, introduce yourself, and describe things: You will also further practice communicating in both present and past tenses, discuss preferences, accurately discuss the location of animate and inanimate objects, and learn to use adjectives in German -
→ practiced producing and comprehending German speech and text using intermediate vocabulary to discuss and/or compare classroom objects, geography, weather and seasons, family, personal information, food, and emotions. Students will continue to gain understanding of cultures in which German is spoken. They will demonstrate an awareness of some of their customs and geography and will begin to make connections between German, Austrian, and Swiss cultures and their own.
Designed for students who have had first year German or its equivalent in high school, this course reviews first year materials and emphasizes speaking, reading, and writing skills. (Annually) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): GERM 1020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- General Education Category: Humanities 

Required Texts

The required textbook for this course is the 8th edition of Kontakte (Tschirner, Nikolai). Please refer to ISBN-10: 1259307425 to locate the correct version. Either a new or used copy of the textbook is acceptable. Please note that this textbook is also used in German 2020: Intermediate Grammar and Conversation in spring semester. 

Learning Outcomes

We will focus on acquiring the following areas from the SUU Essential Learning Outcomes:
  • 1. Communication: Gain intellectual and practical skills, particularly in written and oral communication.
  • 2. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: Demonstrate that they possess a set of cognitive and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
  • 3. Teamwork: Students demonstrate productive interaction with others (in or out of class) to complete assignments, tasks, or projects.

Course Requirements

Course requirements include daily attendance (course meets MTWR) in conjunction with active class participation (20%), daily homework assignments (20%), recordings of students speaking in German and posted to Canvas (10%), writing projects in German (10%), quizzes (10%), cultural engagement activities (10%), and regular exams per unit (20%). 


Course Outline

This course will begin with a review of Kapitel 5, followed by Kapitel 6, Kapitel 7, and Kapitel 8, and Kapitel 9 in Kontakte (course textbook).

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will only be accepted if permission is sought prior to the deadline. Quizzes and exams must be taken within the time frame set out by the instructor to be considered for full credit.

Attendance Policy

Daily attendance and active participation in class are mandatory. These components constitute 20% of your final grade in this class. 

Course Fees

$16.00

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.