COURSE STRUCTURE
Each week we will focus on a specific topic of your choice to read about and discuss. Such topics may be specific events or they may be more general, cultural considerations where examples from different cultures and/or newspapers may fuel the discussion.
POSSIBLE READING/DISCUSSION TOPICS
- Politik (die Regierung, Gesetze, Proteste, Anti-Proteste, Parteien, Opposition, Nationalismus, Beziehungen zu anderen Ländern, Einwanderungsdebatte…)…
- Diskriminierungen (Rassismus, Sexismus, Behindertenfeindlichkeit, Altersdiskriminierung, Klassendiskriminierung, Kolonialismus, Antisemitismus…)
- Bildung (Schulen, Schulsysteme, Gesetze, Themen, Kontroversen…)…
- die Künste (der Feuilleton in Zeitungen ist dafür sehr interessant!)…
- die Umwelt, Biologie, das Klima…
- neue Technologien, Erfindungen…
- Gesundheit, Gesundheitspolitik, Wellness, Rente, Versicherungen…
- Gender, Sex, LGTBQ+, …
- Sport…
- Europäische Union und die USA…
- …
RESPONSIBILITIES OF INSTRUCTOR FOR A SUCCESSFUL CLASS
As instructor of this class, I will
- provide you with a challenging and supportive environment for discussions and learning and ensure that even difficult topics can be addressed in an appropriate matter.
- offer you relevant texts and tasks that will help you expand your own knowledge and language skills.
- facilitate discussions and provide you with background information where needed.
- help the class in general and students individually to improve their language and cultural skills.
- be open to constructive feedback and dedicated to your scholarly and personal advancement.
- work together with you as students to build an inclusive and respectful classroom that values diversity of all kinds. Our differences enrich and enhance our understanding of one another and of the world around us.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS TO SUCCEED IN CLASS
To be successful in this class, you
- come prepared to class for each session and attend actively with curiosity and engagement.
- participate frequently in class discussions.
- lead at least one discussion session successfully (see below).
- submit summary sections by the deadline (see below) so you are prepared to discuss your texts with others in class.
- submit reactions to at least one other student’s summary section by the deadline (see below) so you engage with the topics your peers are interested in and broaden your horizon.
- read in German for about 30 mins each day to stay informed and practice your reading skills.
- keep me informed when life happens and you may have to miss certain assignments or class sessions.
ATTENDANCE
Learning (about) language and culture is based on sharing language and culture, so that your attendance in this class is vital for your success. Being on time and present during class time will benefit your skills and knowledge acquisition. The current attendance policy decided by all languages allows for students to miss no more than five classes (equivalent to one week of classes) before they officially fail the class. If you have to miss a class or be late, please let me know (as you would do at the workplace) and make arrangements beforehand to submit material or coordinate assignments. If you are absent in class, I expect you to complete all assignments for that day and the homework following up on class activities. Being absent often means that you need to catch up on class work on your own, which is not fun and often very time-consuming, so I hope that we can see each other for all class days! Class language is German.
ARE THERE CONTENT WARNINGS?
Some of our class material may incorporate material that is sensitive for certain people. Instead of trigger warnings, however, we need to contextualize the texts as best as we can for each other to digest the material at hand. Research shows that trigger warnings can be most harmful to the very individuals they were designed to protect. Check out this helpful video by two Carleton professors about trigger warnings. I agree with one point they make in particular: I and you do not have the moral authority to decide which trigger warnings to include for others, and, by extension, to decide whose pain matters most. In my classes, I hope that we can face difficult moments together and help each other when provocative, destabilizing, and disturbing material comes up. After all, this is how people can change the world when the world needs to be changed.
When discussing all matters, it is important that all members of the class keep an open mind, that includes me as the instructor. Our readings and discussions may focus on mature, difficult, or potentially challenging topics and can be political and personal. Readings and discussions might trigger anger, humor, discomfort, excitement, anxiety, confusion, or boredom. Some of us will have emotional responses to the texts; some of us will have emotional responses to other people’s understanding of the texts; we should all feel responsible for creating a space that is both intellectually rigorous and respectful. Above all, let’s be respectful (even when we strongly disagree) and mindful of the ways that our identities position us in the course. I expect everyone to be prepared to approach the readings and discussion among class members in a mature and respectful way.
When discussing all matters, it is important that all members of the class keep an open mind, that includes me as the instructor. Our readings and discussions may focus on mature, difficult, or potentially challenging topics and can be political and personal. Readings and discussions might trigger anger, humor, discomfort, excitement, anxiety, confusion, or boredom. Some of us will have emotional responses to the texts; some of us will have emotional responses to other people’s understanding of the texts; we should all feel responsible for creating a space that is both intellectually rigorous and respectful. Above all, let’s be respectful (even when we strongly disagree) and mindful of the ways that our identities position us in the course. I expect everyone to be prepared to approach the readings and discussion among class members in a mature and respectful way.
I NEED SUPPORT, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
First - you are in good company. Everyone needs support!
Check out the Resources Tab for info about tutoring, study help, and our Student Departmental Advisor. Check out the Contact Tab to get in contact with me, your instructor.
The Office of Accessibility Resources promotes access and equity for all students of Carleton. They value full access to the wide range of academic, organizational, residential, and work opportunities for Carleton students, regardless of disability status. Contact them if you need their assistance.
Carleton College urges you to make yourself - your own health and well-being - your priority throughout career here. It is important to recognize stressors you may be facing, which can be personal, emotional, physical, financial, mental, or academic. Sleep, exercise, and connecting with others are strategies to help you flourish at Carleton. If you are having difficulties maintaining your well-being, feel free to contact me and/or pursue other resources, such as Student Health and Counseling or the Office of Health Promotion.
Carleton is committed to fostering an environment free of sexual misconduct. Please be aware all Carleton faculty and staff members, with the exception of Chaplains and SHAC staff, are “responsible employees.” Responsible employees are required to share any information they have regarding incidents of sexual misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator. Carleton’s goal is to ensure campus community members are aware of all the options available and have access to the resources they need. If you have questions, please contact Carleton’s Title IX Coordinator and Staff or visit the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.
Check out the Resources Tab for info about tutoring, study help, and our Student Departmental Advisor. Check out the Contact Tab to get in contact with me, your instructor.
The Office of Accessibility Resources promotes access and equity for all students of Carleton. They value full access to the wide range of academic, organizational, residential, and work opportunities for Carleton students, regardless of disability status. Contact them if you need their assistance.
Carleton College urges you to make yourself - your own health and well-being - your priority throughout career here. It is important to recognize stressors you may be facing, which can be personal, emotional, physical, financial, mental, or academic. Sleep, exercise, and connecting with others are strategies to help you flourish at Carleton. If you are having difficulties maintaining your well-being, feel free to contact me and/or pursue other resources, such as Student Health and Counseling or the Office of Health Promotion.
Carleton is committed to fostering an environment free of sexual misconduct. Please be aware all Carleton faculty and staff members, with the exception of Chaplains and SHAC staff, are “responsible employees.” Responsible employees are required to share any information they have regarding incidents of sexual misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator. Carleton’s goal is to ensure campus community members are aware of all the options available and have access to the resources they need. If you have questions, please contact Carleton’s Title IX Coordinator and Staff or visit the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This course abides by the policies for Academic Integrity at Carleton. Any suspected violations of the academic integrity code will be forwarded to the Academic Standing Committee. Please familiarize yourself with the definitions on the linked website. Any effort to present someone else’s work (that includes Google Translate) as your own is considered plagiarism, even if it is in another language. Do not use online translators to complete assignments or projects. I don't want to assess the (often low) quality of such translators but your advancing skills and knowledge in the language. You cannot advance in a language when you use online translators to do the work. (Trust me, I've tried...)