<p>German 150 is a topics course with a theme that changes each semester the course is offered. Through reading, analysis, and discussion of advanced authentic German texts, students will be able to engage in prolonged conversations of topics relevant to German culture, including politics, finance, socio-cultural issues, and the arts. Students will also be able to produce extended written texts using a broad range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. </p>
<p>By the end of this course, students should be able to say:</p>
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<p align="center">Interpretive Listening</p>
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<p align="center">Interpretive Reading</p>
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<p align="center">Interpersonal Speaking</p>
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<p align="center">Presentational Speaking</p>
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<p align="center">Presentational Writing</p>
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I can understand extended speech and follow complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand sources such as TV news, current affairs programs, and films in standard language.
<p> </p>
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<td width="20%" valign="top">I can understand a variety of long, complex factual and literary texts and appreciate distinctions of style. I can understand texts such as specialized articles and longer technical instructions unrelated to my field.</td>
<td width="20%" valign="top">I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts and support my views. </td>
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<p>I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe things such as personal experiences, events, dreams, and hopes. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can, for example, narrate a story or the plot of a book or film and describe my reaction. </p>
<p>I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various options. </p>
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<td width="20%" valign="top">I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write texts such as an essay or report that conveys information or gives reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write texts such as letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences. </td>
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<p>Goals for Cultural Competence</p>
<p>The goals for cultural competence are not organized hierarchically as are the linguistic goals for the course. By the end of the semester, I will be able to say that I can:</p>
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<li>Identify, discuss, and analyze such intangible products of the culture I am studying, as social, economic, and political institutions, and explore relationships among these institutions and the perspectives of the culture;</li>
<li>Give examples of social behaviors that express the target cultures underlying value system;</li>
<li>Interpret social phenomena within the context of the target culture;</li>
<li>Describe instances of major change within the culture I am studying.</li>
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<p><strong>Textbook(s)</strong></p>
<p>The textbooks for the course depend on the theme of the course. The list will be made available to students shortly before the beginning of class.</p>
German 150