Deutsch 221 & 231 Hausaufgaben--Herbst 2015

September

Oktober

November Dezember

Late homework will receive a "check minus," and homework more than two class days late may not be accepted. If you notice any mistakes, please email Vicki (vdisch) or inform your instructor!

Flexible Homework

If an assignment doesn't seem useful to you, talk to your instructor about whether you might be able to do something else instead that seems more worthwhile or challenging to you.

Important note on working on assignments in pairs or groups

We strongly encourage you to work on assignments in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot more by discussing the assignment with each other and helping each other figure out difficult parts.  ==> You can hand in one assignment with the names of everyone in your group on it, and you will then all get the same grade for it. For some assignments, the homework schedule already tells you that you can do this. This is not appropriate for all assignments ==> please consult with your instructor beforehand and get his/her approval!

Dates for tests and quizzes, and due dates for major assignments (essays, movies, video project):
Test 1: 6. October Quiz 1: 22. September
Test 2: 3. November Quiz 2: 16. October
Test 3: 10. December Quiz 3: 13. November
  Quiz 4: 1. Dezember

Aufsatz 1: 22. September Film 1: Nach fünf im Urwald: 17. September
Aufsatz 2: 9. Oktober Film 2: Kebab Connection: 13. Oktober
Aufsatz 3: 28. Oktober Film 3: Europa, Europa: 22. Oktober
Aufsatz 4: 3. Dezember Film 4: Sonnenallee: 24. November
Final Video Project: 4. Dezember Film 5: Good Bye Lenin: 2. Dezember

Gateway Vocabulary Test Times in the LRC PC Classroom:

Complete daily homework schedule:
Stunde 1: Dienstag, 8. September

To understand this homework schedule, imagine your instructor saying "This is what you have to do for the NEXT class." ==> What is listed here today is due TOMORROW (SEPTEMBER 9). Work through the numbered items one by one.

1. Informieren Sie sich über den Kurs:

2. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web: 
a. Lesen Sie den "Basic Verb Review
b. Füllen Sie das "Arbeitsblatt: Verb-Wiederholung" aus. Just do the first three sections today, and don't hand it in yet: you will finish the rest tomorrow!

  • Here is a reference list of some important irregular (stark) verbs, many from the Gateway list.  These will be useful in your speaking and writing.  You will need to know these for Quiz 1 and Test 1.
  • You may work on this assignment in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot by discussing it with each other and helping each other deal with difficulties.  ==> If you do this, you can hand in one Arbeitsblatt with the names of everyone in your group on it, and you will all get the same grade for it.

c. OPTIONAL, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: VERBFEST! Have fun, meet other students, eat pizza while developing your mastery of verb tenses. Verbfest will take place in MLB 2011 on Monday, September 14, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Max Kade students will welcome you to various stations where you will engage in exciting verb-related activities. If you complete your "Verb Passport," you can submit this as your first AMD (no need for an additional post on the blog).

3. Download and begin studying the Gateway Vocabulary List. The first page provides some additional information about the list; the remaining pages list the vocabulary in a 3-column format: 1. German 2. English (+ some related expressions) 3. Usage examples. You are NOT responsible for learning all the expressions in the right hand columns; they are just meant to give you an indication of how these words and phrases are used. You ARE responsible for learning the information in the left hand and center columns.

  • Just spend a few minutes a day on this, until you pass the test.
  • A helpful resource for studying the list is the online Flashcard program. Go to Options > Add Cards > Load Pre-Made Cards > German 221/231 Gateway Vocab, and then select the section(s) of the Gateway Vocab List that you want to study.
  • The test you will take is online and available for you to practice with anytime. Try it here (give it a few seconds to load)!
Stunde 2: Mittwoch, 9. September

To understand this homework schedule, imagine your instructor saying "This is what you have to do for the NEXT class." ==> What is listed here today is due TOMORROW (SEPTEMBER 10).

1. Finish and hand in the "Arbeitsblatt: Verb-Wiederholung."

2a. Lesen Sie die Information über Wörterbücher, und machen Sie dann diese Wörterbuchübung online. Note that many of the words and expressions in this exercise are from the film Nach fünf im Urwald, which you'll watch soon. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

  • Click here for more info and troubleshooting advice about this assignment (what if I score below 80%, why is my score 0, what if nothing happens when I click "submit" etc.)
  • You actually see 20 questions out of an item bank of 36 for this particular exercise. To see all 36 items, click here. Note that this version of the exercise is not "submittable"; it's just available for additional practice.

2b. PRINT: Please print this "Wörterbuchübung" [="Dictionary Exercise"]. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

2c. KAUFEN SIE einen Ordner [=binder] für die vielen Papiere, die Sie in diesem Kurs bekommen. Mit einem Ordner haben Sie Ordnung. Ohne einen Ordner haben Sie Chaos!

3. BLOG INVITES & TEST POSTS: Please follow the instructions in the CTools announcement about accepting the invitation to your section's blog and posting a "test post" in which you simply state your favorite German word (choose "Test Post" as the category for your post). We just want to make sure you can all post to the blog before the first blog assignment is due.

4. OPTIONAL: You can download the Verb Review overheads covered today and on the first day of class, write out your responses and hand them in to your instructor to grade. They are available via the CTools site in"Resources" and then the folder "Folien"; click on "01VerbTenseReviewFolie.doc." Students enter this course with different levels of preparation ==> if you're not feeling confident with the verb forms, this is a chance for you to get some additional practice.

BITTE BRINGEN SIE MORGEN EIN WÖRTERBUCH ZUR KLASSE. WENN IHR KLASSENZIMMER "WIRELESS" HAT UND SIE NORMALERWEISE EIN ONLINE-WÖRTERBUCH BENUTZEN, KÖNNEN SIE IHREN LAPTOP BRINGEN.

Stunde 3: Donnerstag, 10. September

To understand this homework schedule, imagine your instructor saying "This is what you have to do for the NEXT class." ==> What is listed here today is due TOMORROW (SEPTEMBER 11).

1. BLOG POST: Post a YouTube (or other online video) link to a classical music piece you love by a composer from the German-speaking world. In your post write (A) Wann und wo haben Sie dieses Stück [=piece] zum ersten Mal gehört? (B) Schreiben Sie DREI INTERESSANTE DINGE über den/die Komponisten/Komponistin IM PRÄTERITUM (this is the one-word "Narrative Past" tense). For this post, choose the category "Klassische Musik" from the list of options on the lower right of the page where you're composing your post.

  • WICHTIG: Benutzen Sie Ihre eigenen [=own] Worte. If you quote, please use quotation marks.

1b. BLOG COMMENTS: Look at TWO of the pieces posted to the blog by your classmates. Post a three-sentence comment on each one. Each sentence should use one or more Gateway words.

2. Für Donnerstag, den 17. September: Sehen Sie den Film Nach fünf im Urwald [99 Minuten lang].

  • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Nach fünf im Urwald" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
  • Take a look at the advice on the Listening Practice Ideas and Resources page re: watching movies!
  • All of the movies in this course deal with adult themes and contain some nudity, which is more customary in Germany than in the US: one sees it on TV, and even on mainstream newspaper and magazine covers.  If this is a problem for you, please let your instructor know, so that we can find a solution that will work for you!
  • IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JANIS JOPLIN, please watch this video of her singing "Mercedes Benz." This song is very important in the movie. Anna wants to be like Janis, who was one of the first high profile women to embrace the rock & roll lifestyle.
  • IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THELONIUS MONK, please watch this video of "Misterioso." One of the many interesting contradictions explored by the movie is that Anna's apparently very bourgeois and uptight dad actually has great taste in music.

3. OPTIONAL: If you haven't done so yet, try using the online German Flash Card Program to study the Gateway Vocabulary list. Just go to Options > Add Cards > Load Pre-Made Cards, click on "German 221/231 Gateway Vocab" and select the categories you want to practice. Note that if you take a minute to read the Help menu, you may discover lots of additional useful features! When you're ready, click here to try the Gateway Vocabulary Test for a few minutes, so you know what to expect! [Note there's a bit of a delay before the page loads completely.]

Stunde 4: Freitag, 11. September

To understand this homework schedule, imagine your instructor saying "This is what you have to do for the NEXT class." ==> What is listed here today is due TUESDAY (SEPTEMBER 15). Work through the numbered items one by one.

1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web: 
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über "Case Review".  [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Case Review" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

  • Click here for more info and troubleshooting advice about this assignment (what if I score below 80%, why is my score 0, what if nothing happens when I click "submit" etc.)
  • A note on this exercise: Some of the questions will ask you something like "Why is the noun X in the following sentence...?" This is an odd-sounding question, and will probably only make sense to you if you take a look at the summary of the German case system offered in Case Overview II: Why is the Noun in the Sentence, so please take a good look at that page if those questions give you some trouble. The point of this is to clarify something that confuses many students, namely the relationship between what you learned about case in relation to verbs (i.e. information about subjects and direct and indirect objects) and what you learned about case in relation to prepositions (i.e. information about accusative, dative, two-way and genitive prepositions).

2. Lernen Sie die "Basic Chart of Forms of der/das/die, ein-words, Pronouns". These are essential for working with the German cases!

  • Click here for a version of the chart that prints on one page.

3. Lesen Sie "Some Hints on How to Guess Gender." You need to know noun genders to show what you know about the cases!

  • Optional, but amazingly interesting: Click here for an article on the results of actual empirical research on how language affects the way we think. Towards the end, the article describes some research results about gender, such as: "For example, when asked to describe a 'key' — a word that is masculine in German and feminine in Spanish — the German speakers were more likely to use words like 'hard,' 'heavy,' 'jagged,' 'metal,' 'serrated,' and 'useful,' whereas Spanish speakers were more likely to say 'golden,' 'intricate,' 'little,' 'lovely,' 'shiny,' and 'tiny.' To describe a 'bridge,' which is feminine in German and masculine in Spanish, the German speakers said 'beautiful,' 'elegant,' 'fragile,' 'peaceful,' 'pretty,' and 'slender,' and the Spanish speakers said 'big,' 'dangerous,' 'long,' 'strong,' 'sturdy,' and 'towering.'"

4. OPTIONAL, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: VERBFEST! Have fun, meet other students, eat pizza while developing your mastery of verb tenses. Verbfest will take place in MLB 2011 on Monday, September 14, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Max Kade students will welcome you to various stations where you will engage in exciting verb-related activities. If you complete your "Verb Passport," you can submit this as your first AMD (no need for an additional post on the blog).

5. Für Dienstag, den 22. September: Aufsatz 1 (250 Wörter). THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. PRINT: Please print this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

NÄCHSTES MAL SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

Stunde 5: Dienstag, 15. September

HEUTE SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web: 
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Wortstellung und Konjunktionen [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Wortstellung" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

  • Click here for more info and troubleshooting advice about this assignment (what if I score below 80%, why is my score 0, what if nothing happens when I click "submit" etc.)

2. Schreiben Sie 50-100 Wörter über ein tolles/beschissenes Lied, das Sie heute im Computerraum gehört haben. Achten Sie auf [=pay attention to] Verbformen und Wortstellung. IDEEN:

  • Was ist im Liedtext interessant für Sie?
  • Schreiben Sie über die Melodie/den Beat
  • Was sehen Sie im Video?
  • Hier ist eine Liste von Musikvokabeln.
  • WICHTIG: Benutzen Sie Ihre eigenen [=own] Worte. If you quote, please use quotation marks.
Stunde 6: Mittwoch, 16. September

1. Sehen Sie den Film Nach fünf im Urwald [99 Minuten lang]. Note that class tomorrow will begin with a mini-quiz on what happens in the movie.

  • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Nach fünf im Urwald" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
  • Take a look at the advice on the Listening Practice Ideas and Resources page re: watching movies!
  • All of the movies in this course deal with adult themes and contain some nudity, which is more customary in Germany than in the US: one sees it on TV, and even on mainstream newspaper and magazine covers.  If this is a problem for you, please let your instructor know, so that we can find a solution that will work for you!
  • IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JANIS JOPLIN, please watch this video of her singing "Mercedes Benz." This song is very important in the movie. Anna wants to be like Janis, who was one of the first high profile women to embrace the rock & roll lifestyle.
  • IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THELONIUS MONK, please watch this video of "Misterioso." One of the many interesting contradictions explored by the movie is that Anna's apparently very bourgeois and uptight dad actually has great taste in music
Stunde 7: Donnerstag, 17. September

1. Complete the Aufsatz 1 draft (250 Wörter) and bring it next time. We will peer edit it in class. THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

2. PRINT: Please print "Aufsatz 1 - Wir helfen einander". You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

Stunde 8: Freitag, 18. September

1. Lernen Sie für Quiz 1 (Verben (with Nach fünf im Urwald); Konjunktionen (with Werbung); Case Review (with Popmusik)); Erlkönig

2. AMD 1: Click here for instructions and some additional ideas. Please remember to choose "AMD 1" as the category for your post.

Stunde 9: Dienstag, 22. September

1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Konjunktiv II. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Konjunktiv II" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

2. Aufsatz 1 final, improved draft after peer editing (250 Wörter). THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays. If you need an extra day to incorporate all the comments you get on your essay during today's peer review, you can hand this essay in one day late :)

3. PRINT: Please print the "Konjunktiv II Zusammenfassung". You needn't do anything with it yet: we will work with it in class in the next few days.

4. Inform yourself a bit about Kafka: we will begin talking about him in class tomorrow. If you took German 102 here, you will recognize these links, but you may still want to review them:

  • YOU MUST: Watch this 2-minute video from "The Onion News Network" about Franz Kafka International Airport being named the world's most alienating airport. If you only have time for a 2-minute introduction to Kafka, this is the one you want.
  • YOU SHOULD: Watch this 9-minute video of David Foster Wallace talking about Kafka. He may sound unduly pessimistic when he talks about the difficulties of teaching Kafka to undergraduates, but I think that's misleading - DFW was actually a great and beloved teacher. I think that you can understand what he's saying in this video, and if you do, that's a great basis for reading, enjoying, and thinking about Kafka. If you have 9 minutes, watching this video is what you should do with them.
    • He ends with a sentence in German: "Das ist komisch," which plays on all the meanings of komisch: funny, strange, comical, weird.
    • If you're interested in addiction, depression, tennis, or film, or if you like the idea of an already-past near-future in which the US catapults its trash to Canada, read DFW's Infinite Jest, and tell your instructor that Hartmut said you could use this to make up for one missing homework assignment. It's a crazy (and intense, sometimes insanely funny, sometimes unbelievably brutal), 1000-page novel that not everyone will love as much as I did, so I'm saying this as a joke - but if anyone actually does this one day, we'll honor the deal smiley
  • YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO: Watch this prize-winning student video adaptation of a short piece by Kafka, "Gib's auf!" - which begins with a reading of the story, complete with English subtitles. Bear in mind that of course this is just one way to imagine the story. Note in this context that Kafka vigorously resisted his publisher's suggestions that The Metamorphosis should be published with a picture on its cover of the "bug" into which Gregor Samsa finds himself transformed when he wakes up at the beginning of the story. Kafka thought this would limit the reader's freedom to imagine the story (including, for example, changes in Gregor's appearance in the course of the story).

Bitte bringen Sie morgen (und in den folgenden Tagen!) das Buch Die Verwandlung in die Klasse!

Stunde 10: Mittwoch, 23. September

1. Lesen Sie Die Verwandlung, Seite 8-11, 18-21, 25-29. Note that class tomorrow will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

  • Until it becomes easy for you to read this book, we recommend that for each page you proceed as follows:
    • Quickly read over the "Informationen & Vokabeln" for that page in the "VerwandlungReadingNotes.doc." If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!
    • Then read the page, referring back to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed.
    • You may also find this vocabulary list helpful as you read the book and discuss it in class: "VerwandlungVokabelideen.doc"
Stunde 11: Donnerstag, 24. September

1. Lesen Sie Die Verwandlung, Seite 33-37, 43-46, 54-57. Note that class tomorrow will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

  • Until it becomes easy for you to read this book, we recommend that for each page you proceed as follows:
    • Quickly read over the "Informationen & Vokabeln" for that page in the "VerwandlungReadingNotes.doc." If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!
    • Then read the page, referring back to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed.
Stunde 12: Freitag, 25. September

1. Lesen Sie Die Verwandlung, Seite 61-65, 71-74. Note that class tomorrow will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

Stunde 13: Dienstag, 29. September

1. Lesen Sie Die Verwandlung, Seite 81-86, 89-92. Note that class tomorrow will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

Stunde 14: Mittwoch, 30. September

1. OPTIONAL: "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Reflexive Verben. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Reflexive Verben" Seite. [You need not "submit" your results.]

Stunde 15: Donnerstag, 1. Oktober

1. Informationsblatt für Test 1 [Musik; Nach fünf im Urwald; Struwwelpeter; Die Verwandlung; Verben, Wortstellung & Konjunktionen, Case Review, Konjunktiv II]

  • Please show your instructor your completed Informationsblatt in class. If you've attempted all of the sections, you will get a "check"; if you've done everything and drafted the essay, you will get a "check plus." Your instructor will determine the grade in class by taking a very quick look while you're discussing your responses in pairs, so that you can keep the sheet and continue studying with it.
  • You may work on this assignment in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot by discussing it with each other and helping each other deal with difficulties.
  • In case you did not get the review sheet in class, click here to download it. Please email Vicki (vdisch) if this review sheet (or link) is not up-to-date!
  • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.
  • As an additional review resource, click here to see the German 102 video lecture on Konjunktiv II. Click here for an overview of all of the 101/102 video lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture. The Kapitel 2 and 3 lectures are not currently publicly accessible ==> email Hartmut to get access to these.
  • Remember this reference list of some important irregular (stark) verbs, many from the Gateway list. You will need to know these for Test 1.
Stunde 16: Freitag, 2. Oktober

1. Lernen Sie für Test 1 [Musik; Nach fünf im Urwald; Struwwelpeter; Die Verwandlung; Verben, Wortstellung & Konjunktionen, Case Review, Konjunktiv II]

  • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.
  • As an additional resource for reviewing for the grammar components of this test, you may want to look at some of the German 101/102 video lectures. Click here for an overview of all of these lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture. The Kapitel 2 and 3 lectures are not currently publicly accessible ==> email Hartmut to get access to these.
  • Remember this reference list of some important irregular (stark) verbs, many from the Gateway list. You will need to know these for Test 1.

2. Für Freitag, den 9. Oktober: Aufsatz 2 (250 Wörter). THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

Stunde 17: Dienstag, 6. Oktober

1. " Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Adjektivendungen. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Adjektivendungen" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

2. PRINT: Please print "AdjektivendungDVD231.doc" and bring it to class. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

3. PRINT: Please print the "Test 2 Vokabeln" and bring them to class every day until Test 2. We will work with them in class.

4. Für Dienstag, den 13. Oktober: Sehen Sie den Film Kebab Connection [96 Minuten lang].

  • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Kebab Connection" thumbnail. There are two versions: German Subtitles or English Subtitles. Choose the one you prefer! Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
  • Click here to see a picture of a Döner Kebab; click here for an article in English with more information about the central role of Döner Kebab in Germany's fast food world. The following explanations will help you understand two little jokes that are made in the movie, and are both useful things to know about when you're in Germany:
    • The German word "scharf" means both "hot" as in "spicy hot," and "sharp" as in a sharp blade. This will be relevant in the first few minutes of the movie.
    • In the second half of the movie, the lady in the Greek restaurant tries to compliment Ibo by comparing him to Julius Caesar and Dieter Bohlen, whom she appears to admire equally. Dieter Bohlen became famous as part of Modern Talking, a duo consisting of Bohlen and Thomas Anders, embarrassing one-hit wonders from the 80s. They have become cult figures of popular obsession and disgust. Dieter Bohlen, a favorite topic of German tabloids, plays the role of "Simon" on "Deutschland sucht den Superstar," the German version of "American Idol," i.e. he's the mean-spirited #$%@& who entertains the nation by his vicious putdowns of the contestants.
Stunde 18: Mittwoch, 7. Oktober

1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Komparativ/Superlativ. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Komparativ/Superlativ" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

2. Vergleichen Sie sich mit einem Pinguin [=compare yourself to a penguin].  Schreiben Sie 8 Sätze.  Ideen:
Ich bin größer als ein Pinguin. 
Ich spreche besser deutsch als ein Pinguin. 
Ich trinke nicht so viel Bud Lite wie ein Pinguin. 
Ich kann so gut fliegen wie ein Pinguin. 

Stunde 19: Donnerstag, 8. Oktober

1. Aufsatz 2 (250 Wörter).  THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

Stunde 20: Freitag, 9. Oktober

1. Sehen Sie den Film Kebab Connection [96 Minuten lang]. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on what happens in the movie.

  • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Kebab Connection" thumbnail. There are two versions: German Subtitles or English Subtitles. Choose the one you prefer! Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
  • Click here to see a picture of a Döner Kebab; click here for an article in English with more information about the central role of Döner Kebab in Germany's fast food world. The following explanations will help you understand two little jokes that are made in the movie, and are both useful things to know about when you're in Germany:
    • The German word "scharf" means both "hot" as in "spicy hot," and "sharp" as in a sharp blade. This will be relevant in the first few minutes of the movie.
    • In the second half of the movie, the lady in the Greek restaurant tries to compliment Ibo by comparing him to Julius Caesar and Dieter Bohlen, whom she appears to admire equally. Dieter Bohlen became famous as part of Modern Talking, Germany's non-answer to the Backstreet Boys.  Modern Talking was Dieter Bohlen and Thomas Anders, two untalented, tanned one-hit wonders from the 80s who came out with a remix of their little song 20 years later and subsequently feuded and broke up. They have become cult figures of popular obsession and disgust. Dieter Bohlen, better known than the other guy and a favorite topic of German tabloids, plays the role of "Simon" on "Deutschland sucht den Superstar," the German version of "American Idol," i.e. he's the mean-spirited #$%@& who entertains the nation by his vicious putdowns of the contestants.

2. AMD 2: Click here for instructions and some additional ideas. Please remember to choose "AMD 2" as the category for your post!

Stunde 21: Dienstag, 13. Oktober

1a. PRINT: Please print excerpt from the Spiegel article "Singen, tanzen und erpressen" AND the accompanying worksheet. You needn't do anything with these yet: we will work with them in class. The pdf is in color, but of course you can print it in black & white!

1b. Read the portion of the text about "your" person (i.e. the person your teacher assigned you in class today) and answer the questions about that part of the text. If you were absent, please email your instructor to find out!

Stunde 22: Mittwoch, 14. Oktober

1a. Sehen Sie auf CTools Ausschnitte aus dem Film "Werden Sie Deutscher." 

To access the eight short clips, which are labelled "Clip 1, Clip 2," etc. and should be watched in order, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections >Werden Sie Deutscher Hausaufgaben Clips. In Collections, it has its own window separate from "Media for German 221/231." (Note: the entire "Werden Sie Deutscher Film" is also available in the other media collection with our other films, in case you are interested in seeing more. In these clips, we've highlighted just the things you need to view for this assignment and for discussions in class.)

    • Some of it takes place in an integration and language class in Berlin at or below the 221/231 level, but there will still be some unfamiliar expressions. Please read through this Vokabelliste then watch the clip and reference it as needed.

1b. Schreiben Sie: As you watch the movie, take notes on five useful words/expressions you want to remember (based on the German subtitles and the vocab list), and anything in the subtitles that you want to ask about in class.We are highlighting the experience of a 19-year-old Bangladeshi man, Shipon Chowdury. Write 50 words auf deutsch from his perspective. 

Stunde 23: Donnerstag, 15. Oktober

1. Lernen Sie für Quiz 2. Themen:

  • From the Test 2 Vokabeln that you printed right after Test 1, learn the following sections:
    • Geographie
    • Multikulturelles Deutschland
  • Geographie; Kebab Connection; Singen, Tanzen, Erpressen; Werden Sie Deutscher
  • Adjektivendungen, Komparativ/Superlativ, Cases and Antecedents

2. Für Donnerstag, den 22. Oktober: Sehen Sie den Film Europa, Europa [112 Minuten lang].

  • You can access the film via CTools, but not through the Media Gallery. Instead, go to CTools > Resources > Europa Europa. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
  • HINTERGRUNDINFORMATIONEN:
    • Der Film basiert auf einer wahren Geschichte.
    • Der Film wurde 1991 gedreht und für einen Oscar nominiert.  Die deutsche Filmakademie nahm die Nominierung zurück [=took it back], weil sie glaubte, dass der Film den Holocaust zu leichtfertig behandle [=treated it too lightly].
    • In dem Film wird nicht nur deutsch, sondern auch Russisch gesprochen.
    • Komsomol war eine kommunistische Jugendorganisation in der UdSSR.
    • Die Hitlerjugend war eine faschistische Jugendorganisation in der Nazizeit.
    • Der deutsche Titel des Films war Hitlerjunge Salomon.
  • Dinge, auf die Sie achten könnten [=things you could watch for], während Sie den Film sehen (Sie müssen nichts schreiben!):
    • Achten Sie auf [=watch for] Situationen, in denen Solly schnell und mutig handelt, um zu überleben [=in which he acts quickly and courageously in order to survive].
    • Achten Sie auf Situationen, in denen Solly Glück hat [=is lucky].
    • In dem Film gibt es Humor, aber es gibt auch Szenen, in denen man die brutale Realität des Holocaust sieht. Achten Sie auf diese Szenen [=Szenen, die die brutale Realität des Holocaust zeigen].
    • Achten Sie auf Szenen, in denen man die absurden Paradoxe der Nazi-Ideologie sieht.
    • Was halten Sie von dem Film? Was kann man von der Pespektive des Films lernen? Gibt es Probleme mit der Perspektive des Films?
Stunde 24: Freitag, 16. Oktober

1. Machen Sie diese Übung über Kunst online. To demonstrate you have completed this exercise, hand in this sheet.

NÄCHSTES MAL SIND WIR IM UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MUSEUM OF ART (UMMA) (on State Street diagonally across from (schräg gegenüber von) the Union). See below on Stunde 25 for description of location.

Stunde 25: Mittwoch, 21. Oktober

HEUTE SIND WIR IM UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MUSEUM OF ART (UMMA) (on State Street diagonally across from (schräg gegenüber von) the Union). To find the Paper study Room (051) once you're at UMMA, start in the new wing (Frankel Family Wing) and take the stairs on the east side of the building (across from the Museum Store) down to the lower level.  You will find yourself in a hallway; the Paper Study Room is to the right, closest to the auditorium.  The room will be locked, please knock to be let in.
If your study room appointment is before 11:00 am, you will need to enter the building through the Frankel Family Wing entrance, which opens at 8:00am (next to the di Suvero sculpture: https://umma.umich.edu/view/outdoor_sculpture/shang.html).

1. Sehen Sie den Film Europa, Europa [112 Minuten lang]. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on what happens in the movie.

  • You can access the film via CTools, but not through the Media Gallery. Instead, go to CTools > Resources > Verschiedenes > Europa Europa, and click on the link in the document. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
  • HINTERGRUNDINFORMATIONEN:
    • Der Film basiert auf einer wahren Geschichte.
    • Der Film wurde 1991 gedreht und für einen Oscar nominiert.  Die deutsche Filmakademie nahm die Nominierung zurück [=took it back], weil sie glaubte, dass der Film den Holocaust zu leichtfertig behandle [=treated it too lightly].
    • In dem Film wird nicht nur deutsch, sondern auch Russisch gesprochen.
    • Komsomol war eine kommunistische Jugendorganisation in der UdSSR.
    • Die Hitlerjugend war eine faschistische Jugendorganisation in der Nazizeit.
  • Dinge, auf die Sie achten könnten [=things you could watch for], während Sie den Film sehen (Sie müssen nichts schreiben!):
    • Achten Sie auf [=watch for] Situationen, in denen Solly schnell und mutig handelt, um zu überleben [=in which he acts quickly and courageously in order to survive].
    • Achten Sie auf Situationen, in denen Solly Glück hat [=is lucky].
    • In dem Film gibt es Humor, aber es gibt auch Szenen, in denen man die brutale Realität des Holocaust sieht. Achten Sie auf diese Szenen [=Szenen, die die brutale Realität des Holocaust zeigen].
    • Achten Sie auf Szenen, in denen man die absurden Paradoxe der Nazi-Ideologie sieht.
    • Was halten Sie von dem Film? Was kann man von der Pespektive des Films lernen? Gibt es Probleme mit der Perspektive des Films?

2. PRINT: Please print the "Zeittafel" from Damals war es Friedrich and bring it to class. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

3. Für Mittwoch, den 28. Oktober: Aufsatz 3 (300 Wörter). THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

Stunde 26: Donnerstag, 22. Oktober

1. Lesen Sie die "Zeittafel" aus Damals war es Friedrich. Schreiben Sie insgesamt 6 Sätze [=a total of 6 sentences] über

  • Fragen, die Sie über den Text haben und/oder
  • Was Sie schon wussten, bevor Sie den Text gelesen haben und/oder
  • Was Sie überrascht oder schockiert hat

2. Lesen Sie über den Film Shoah (Sie werden im Unterricht einen Auszug [=excerpt] aus dem Film sehen): diesen kurzen Text auf Deutsch und diese Kritik von Roger Ebert auf Englisch.

Stunde 27: Freitag, 23. Oktober

1. Lesen Sie die "Zeittafel zur Geschichte des 2. Weltkriegs".

2. AMD 3: Pick an activity (visit your class blog for ideas!), do it, then post about what you did. Click here for some additional ideas. Please remember to choose "AMD 3" as the category for your post!

NÄCHSTES MAL SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

Stunde 28: Dienstag, 27. Oktober

HEUTE SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

1. Aufsatz 3 (300 Wörter).  THEMA: Klicken Sie hier. Please print (or refer to) this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference as you write your essays.

  • The essay grading rubrics (included with the topic) apply to this script as they do to your other essays, but for this essay (which is the beginning of the script for your video project), please also note the grading rubrics for the video project, which you should bear in mind as you finalize your script and when you begin filming.
  • In particular, before you begin filming, we highly recommend that you submit your final script to your instructor to correct any remaining errors, and that you make an appointment with your instructor where your whole group can run through the script once in order to get feedback on pronunciation.

2. PRINT: Please print "Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch" and bring it to class. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

Stunde 29: Mittwoch, 28. Oktober

1. Lesen Sie "Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch" und schreiben Sie in etwa 100 Wörtern eine kurze Zusammenfassung der Geschichte ***aus der Perspektive des älteren Mannes***.  [You may work on this in pairs or groups and hand in one copy for all of you]

Stunde 30: Donnerstag, 29. Oktober

1. Informationsblatt für Test 2. Themen:

  • Test 2 Vokabelliste
  • Geographie
  • Schwarzfahrer; Kebab Connection; Singen, Tanzen, Erpressen
  • Kunst
  • Europa, Europa, "Zeittafel" aus Damals war es Friedrich, Zeittafel zur Geschichte des 2. Weltkriegs, Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch
  • Adjektivendungen
  • Komparativ/Superlativ
  • Cases & Antecedents
  • NOTE: Click here for a video lecture that you may find helpful as you review adjective endings and comparative/superlative!
  • Click here for an overview of all of the 101/102 video lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture.
  • Please show your instructor your completed Informationsblatt in class. If you've attempted all of the sections, you will get a "check"; if you've done everything and drafted the essay, you will get a "check plus." Your instructor will determine the grade in class by taking a very quick look while you're discussing your responses in pairs, so that you can keep the sheet and continue studying with it.
  • You may work on this assignment in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot by discussing it with each other and helping each other deal with difficulties.
  • In case you did not get the review sheet in class, click here to download it. Please email Vicki (vdisch) if this review sheet (or link) is not up-to-date!
  • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.
Stunde 31: Freitag, 30. Oktober

1. Lernen Sie für Test 2!

  • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.

Themen:

  • Test 2 Vokabelliste
  • Geographie
  • Schwarzfahrer; Kebab Connection; Singen, Tanzen, Erpressen
  • Kunst
  • Europa, Europa, "Zeittafel" aus Damals war es Friedrich, Zeittafel zur Geschichte des 2. Weltkriegs, Nachts schlafen die Ratten doch
  • Adjektivendungen
  • Komparativ/Superlativ
  • Cases & Antecedents
  • NOTE: Click here for a video lecture that you may find helpful as you review adjective endings and comparative/superlative!
  • Click here for an overview of all of the 101/102 video lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture.
Stunde 32: Dienstag, 3. November

1. PRINT: Please print "KontrasteBRD_DDR.doc" AND "ChronikNachkriegsgeschichte.doc" and bring these to class. You needn't do anything with these yet: we will work with them in class.

2. PRINT: Please print the "Test 3 Vokabeln" and bring them to class every day until Test 3. We will work with them in class.

Stunde 33: Mittwoch, 4. November

1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über "Prepositions", "Strong Verb/Weak Verb Pairs (stehen/stellen etc.)" und "Prepositional Verbs and Adjectives".  [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Prepositions" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

  • Click here for more info and troubleshooting advice about this assignment (what if I score below 80%, why is my score 0, what if nothing happens when I click "submit" etc.)

Bitte bringen Sie morgen (und an den folgenden Tagen!) das Buch Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee in die Klasse!

Stunde 34: Donnerstag, 5. November

1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 3-13. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

  • Until it becomes easy for you to read this book, we recommend that for each page you proceed as follows:
    • Quickly read over the "Informationen & Vokabeln" for that page in the "SonnenalleeReadingNotes03_13.doc." If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!
    • Then read the page, referring back to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed.

2a. PRINT: Please print "SonnenalleeFragen.docx" and and bring it to class every day while we discuss the book. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class each day as we read through the book.

2b. PRINT: Please print "SonnenalleeVokabelideen.doc" and bring it to class every day as a reference until we have finished working with the book. We will work with it in class.

3. OPTIONAL: Watch the Deutsche Welle video animation "Eingemauert" [=walled in] about the border fortifications around West Berlin, and on the border between East and West Germany.

  • AND/OR Click here to see an interactive map of the Berlin Wall based on old satellite photos.
Stunde 35: Freitag, 6. November

1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 14-23. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

  • Read over the Vorschau/Überblick at the beginning of the reading notes "SonnenalleeReadingNotes14_23.doc" and refer to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed while reading. If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!
  • 2. AMD 4. Pick an activity (visit your class blog for ideas!), do it, then post about what you did. Click here for some additional ideas. Please remember to choose "AMD 4" as the category for your post!

    Stunde 36: Dienstag, 10. November

    1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 24-39. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

    • Read over the Vorschau/Überblick at the beginning of the reading notes "SonnenalleeReadingNotes24_39.doc" and refer to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed while reading. If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!
    Stunde 37: Mittwoch, 11. November

    1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 40-61. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

    • Read over the Vorschau/Überblick at the beginning of the reading notes "SonnenalleeReadingNotes40_61.doc" and refer to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed while reading. If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!

    2. PRINT: Please print "Der Liebesbrief im Todesstreifen" and bring it to class. You needn't do anything with this yet: we will work with it in class.

    Stunde 38: Donnerstag, 12. November

    1. Lernen Sie für Quiz 3. Themen:

    • From the Test 3 Vokabeln that you printed right after Test 2, learn the following section:
      • Politik, Wirtschaft, Nachkriegsgeschichte
    • Chronik Nachkriegsgeschichte (wichtige Daten und Ereignisse). You should definitely know these key dates:
      • Am 8. Mai 1945 kapitulierte Deutschland bedingungslos. Ende des Krieges in Europa.
      • Am 23. Mai 1949 wurde die Bundesrepublik Deutschland (BRD), also West-Deutschland, aus den amerikanischen, britischen, und französischen Besatzungsgebieten gegründet.
      • Am 7. Oktober 1949 wurde die Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) gegründet.
      • Im August 1961 baute die DDR die Berliner Mauer.
      • Am 9. November 1989 fiel die Berliner Mauer und die Grenzen waren offen!
    • Prepositions & Case, Reflexive Verbs (know all reflexive pronouns and how to describe your Morgenroutine)
    • Sonnenallee (the book will be referred to in grammar questions)

    2. Highly recommended-->Plan ahead: look at the reading assignment on Stunde 39. If you have any extra time to start reading these pages, this will help with getting it all done without distress.

    Stunde 39: Freitag, 13. November

    1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 62-80. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

    • Read over the Vorschau/Überblick at the beginning of the reading notes "SonnenalleeReadingNotes62_80.doc" and refer to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed while reading. If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!

    2. Please be sure to bring the "SonnenalleeVokabelideen.doc" which you printed out a few days ago: we will work with them explicitly in class.

    3. Für Dienstag, den 24. November: Sehen Sie den Film Sonnenallee [101 Minuten lang].

    • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Sonnenallee" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any other problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
    Stunde 40: Dienstag, 17. November

    1. Rehearse a 1-minute excerpt from your final video project to perform in class next time. You MUST know your lines, i.e. you should not be reading them. You should feel free to improvise during the role play (it's about "real" speaking!) if you can't remember a line - and be prepared to prompt your partners if they're having trouble! If you notice a couple of words you keep forgetting, scribble them on your hand smiley This is meant to be fun, and to encourage you to record the video in the same way, i.e. rehearse each scene before you record it, and then perform your lines from memory and improvise as needed or when you have a good idea, rather than mechanically following a script.

    • Please note the grading rubrics for the video project, which you should bear in mind as you finalize your script and when you begin filming.
    • In particular, before you begin filming, we recommend that you make an appointment with your instructor where your whole group can run through the script once in order to get feedback on pronunciation.

    2. Highly recommended-->Plan ahead: look at the reading assignment on Stunde 41. If you have any extra time to start reading these pages, this will help with getting it all done without distress.

    Stunde 41: Mittwoch, 18. November

    1. Lesen Sie Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee, Seite 80-102. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on the assigned reading.

    • Read over the Vorschau/Überblick at the beginning of the reading notes "SonnenalleeReadingNotes80_102.doc" and refer to the "Informationen & Vokabeln" as needed while reading. If you won't be near a computer when you read the book, please print this document!

    2. Für Mittwoch, den 25. November: Sehen Sie die drei Drehort Neubrandenburg Videoclips/Interviews: "Bauer Gischow" [13 Minuten], "Der Trabant" [5 Minuten] und "Hochschule" [6 Minuten]. Instructions:

    • Go to the Drehort Neubrandenburg website and find the three assigned scenes. Note the buttons above the clip that allow you to choose English or German subtitles, or "No Text." We recommend choosing "German," and briefly clicking on "English" as needed - you can switch back and forth with minimal delay.
    • Troubleshooting: When you click on the link above, and/or when you go to the website, many of you will get the message, "This plugin is not supported."  If you go to the right side of the page there are some tabs. If you click on "downloads" a list of the videos from the original page pop up, and if you click on those links the video does work on Chrome (it first appears as if it is just audio, but if you click on the "play" arrow, the video shows up). You will find that those clips do not have any subtitles, neither German nor English.  The spoken German is pretty clear, so you will likely understand much of what is talked about and can still complete the assignment.   Another option, in order to have subtitles, is to try the website through Safari (or another browser), and you might have to locate an older version of Safari on your computer to have these videos work:  http://neubrandenburg.mmlc.northwestern.edu/documentary.php?clip=199104
    • Note that you can see additional clips if you're interested: either more clips filmed in 1991, or clips following up on the 1991 clips ten years later (e.g. Bauer Gischow had passed away by 2001, and you could listen to his daughters talking about him in the follow-up clip). The site also has some great listening comprehension exercises based on the clips.
    • There will be NO mini-quiz. Instead, write and HAND IN a brief (100 words or so) journal auf Deutsch with your impressions of these video clips.
    Stunde 42: Donnerstag, 19. November

    1. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
    a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Relativsätze. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
    b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Relativsätze" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check."
    c. PRINT: Please print this Relativpronomen summary sheet for your reference (if you haven't already printed it for working on Aufsätze)!

    Stunde 43: Freitag, 20. November

    1. Sehen Sie den Film Sonnenallee [101 Minuten lang]. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on what happens in the movie.

    • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Sonnenallee" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.

    2. AMD 5. Pick an activity (visit your class blog for ideas!), do it, then post about what you did. Click here for some additional ideas. Choose "AMD 5" as the category for your post.

    3. Reminder: The video project deadline is coming up (scroll down to see the exact date, or see the summary of deadlines at the top of this page).

    • Please note the grading rubrics for the video project, which you should bear in mind as you finalize your script and when you begin filming.
    • It is a good idea to make an appointment with your instructor where your whole group can run through the script once in order to get feedback on pronunciation.

    **Bitte bringen Sie morgen noch einmal das Buch Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee in die Klasse!

    Stunde 44: Dienstag, 24. November

    1. Sehen Sie die drei Drehort Neubrandenburg Videoclips/Interviews: "Bauer Gischow" [13 Minuten], "Der Trabant" [5 Minuten] und "Hochschule" [6 Minuten]. Instructions:

    • Go to the Drehort Neubrandenburg website and find the three assigned scenes. Note the buttons above the clip that allow you to choose English or German subtitles, or "No Text." We recommend choosing "German," and briefly clicking on "English" as needed - you can switch back and forth with minimal delay.
    • Note that you can see additional clips if you're interested: either more clips filmed in 1991, or clips following up on the 1991 clips ten years later (e.g. Bauer Gischow had passed away by 2001, and you could listen to his daughters talking about him in the follow-up clip). The site also has some great listening comprehension exercises based on the clips.
    • There will be NO mini-quiz, but you should write and HAND IN a brief (100 words or so) journal auf Deutsch with your impressions of these video clips.

    2. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
    a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über das Passiv. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
    b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Passiv" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 
    c. PRINT: Please print this Passive summary sheet for reference!

    Stunde 45: Mittwoch, 25. November

    1. Lernen Sie für Quiz 4. Themen:

    • Vokabeln: Learn the Sonnenallee vocabulary chosen by your class (your instructor will post your section's vocab on CTools). You will be writing sentences about the book on the quiz.
    • Sonnenallee (Text und Film)
    • Passiv (very simple questions); Relativsätze; Reflexive Verbs

    2. Für Mittwoch, den 2. Dezember: Sehen Sie den Film Good Bye Lenin! [121 Minuten lang].

    • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Good Bye Lenin!" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.

    3. Für Donnerstag, den 3. Dezember: Aufsatz 4 (300 Wörter). THEMA: Klicken Sie hier.

    Das Videoprojekt ist am Freitag, den 4. Dezember fällig!! Extensions ARE possible. Please email or talk to your instructor in advance if you think an extension will help you!

    Stunde 46: Dienstag, 1. Dezember

    1. Sehen Sie den Film Good Bye Lenin! [121 Minuten lang]. Note that class will begin with a mini-quiz on what happens in the movie.

    • To access the film, go to CTools > Media Gallery > Collections > Media for GER 221/231, and click on the "Good Bye Lenin!" thumbnail. Email Vicki (vdisch) if you run into any problems!
    • Troubleshooting advice: (a) If you are using Internet Explorer, try a different browser (b) If you can't find the clip, be sure to click on "Media for GER 221/231" and if necessary see if a scroll bar shows up that lets you scroll to the right.
    Stunde 47: Mittwoch, 2. Dezember

    1. Aufsatz 4 (300 Wörter).  THEMA: Klicken Sie hier.

    2. "Grammatik-Zusammenfassungen" im Web:
    a. Lesen Sie und machen Sie die "Practice Exercises" über Da-Verbindungen. [You need not submit the "Practice Exercises," but items from them may appear on tests and quizzes.]
    b. Machen Sie die "Diagnostic Exercises" auf der "Da-Verbindungen" Seite. Use the "Submit Score" button to submit your score to your instructor. You need to get a score of 80% or higher in order to get a "check." 

    Stunde 48: Donnerstag, 3. Dezember

    1. VIDEOPROJEKT!! Extensions ARE possible. Please email or talk to your instructor in advance if you think an extension will help you!

    2. PRINT: Please print "Der Zauberlehrling" and bring it to class. You needn't do anything with it yet: we will work with it in class.

    Stunde 49: Freitag, 4. Dezember

    1. Lesen Sie"Der Zauberlehrling" und machen Sie das Arbeitsblatt [write answers on a separate sheet of paper]

    • Click here or here to see performances of "rap" versions of the poem. In the first, you hear the youth group "Junge Dichter und Denker" and see the lyrics; in the second, you'll see "Doppel-U" performing for an enthusiastic school audience. Many more versions are in the sidebar.
    • We strongly encourage you to work on this assignment in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot more by discussing the text with each other and helping each other figure out difficult passages.  ==> If you do this, you can hand in one Arbeitsblatt with the names of everyone in your group on it, and you will then all get the same grade for it.
    Stunde 50: Dienstag, 8. Dezember

    1. Informationsblatt für Test 3. Themen:

    • Test 3 Vokabelliste
    • Sonnenallee Text, Film & Vokabeln [die 30 Wörter für Ihre Sektion]
    • Drehort Neubrandenburg, Good Bye Lenin
    • Der Zauberlehrling
    • Relativsätze; Passiv; Präpositionale Verben; Da-Verbindungen
    • As an additional review resource, click on the respective links to see the German 102 video lectures on Relativsätze and Passiv. Click here for an overview of all of the 101/102 video lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture.
    • Please show your instructor your completed Informationsblatt in class. If you've attempted all of the sections, you will get a "check"; if you've done everything and drafted the essay, you will get a "check plus." Your instructor will determine the grade in class by taking a very quick look while you're discussing your responses in pairs, so that you can keep the sheet and continue studying with it.
    • You may work on this assignment in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 students.  You will learn a lot by discussing it with each other and helping each other deal with difficulties.
    • In case you did not get the review sheet in class, click here to download it. Please email Vicki (vdisch) if this review sheet (or link) is not up-to-date!
    • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.
    Stunde 51: Mittwoch, 9. Dezember

    Lernen Sie für Test 3.

    • You may bring a handwritten (i.e. NOT printed from your computer!!), one-sided 3 x 5 index card to the test. You can include whatever notes you want (ideas, facts, grammar, vocabulary), BUT you may NOT write out your ESSAY on the index card. Your instructor will ask you to hand in your index card with your test.

    Themen:

    • Test 3 Vokabelliste
    • Sonnenallee Text, Film & Vokabeln [die 30 Wörter für Ihre Sektion]
    • Drehort Neubrandenburg, Good Bye Lenin
    • Der Zauberlehrling
    • Relativsätze; Passiv; Präpositionale Verben; Da-Verbindungen
    • As an additional review resource, click on the respective links to see the German 102 video lectures on Relativsätze and Passiv. Click here for an overview of all of the 101/102 video lectures, including a list of topics covered on each one, and links to some simple comprehension exercises accompanying each lecture.
    Stunde 52: Donnerstag, 10. Dezember

    Entspannen Sie sich

    NÄCHSTES MAL SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

    Stunde 53: Freitag, 11. Dezember

    HEUTE SIND WIR IM COMPUTERKLASSENZIMMER! Click here to confirm the location.

    PLEASE REMEMBER TO VISIT CTOOLS TO FILL OUT AN ONLINE COURSE EVALUATION FOR THIS COURSE

    Sprechen und lesen Sie in den Ferien Deutsch, und entspannen Sie sich smiley

    Frohe Ferien!!