Summer 2019/Pasadena

LG566

Obrist

LG566: THEOLOGICAL GERMAN (4 Units: 160 hours). Amy Obrist.

DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to the essential grammar, syntax, and vocabulary needed to functionally read German-language texts. In addition, the course will immerse the student in the German language through daily readings from medieval to modern German theological texts. Due to its intensive nature, the course will demand a substantial time investment, ca.12 hours per week outside of class, and some students may find they need to spend more than the minimum amount of time to learn the material. Prior work with German language is not required, but would certainly be beneficial.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1) have developed strategies to quickly identify the lexical form of any word encountered in German theological texts and navigate passages with the aid of a dictionary; (2) can identify word forms, grammatical structures, and syntax in German; (3) can read German scripture and theological texts aloud understandably; (4) reliably and quickly identify thoughts, concepts and constructions that suggest key components of an argument, particularly transitions and academic jargon/conventions; and (5) translate German theological texts in a reasonable timeframe using a standard lexicon and other tools.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly for two-and-a-half-hour sessions for ten weeks for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion (meetings will start in week 2 of the quarter and not meet during weeks 5 and 6). The course will meet during finals week. Students will be required to take a midterm exam online during week 5. A minimum of 12 hours of study outside of class per week are typically required for adequate class preparation. Certain assignments for this course will a require self-reported signed statement ascertaining completion of the activity

REQUIRED READING:

Wilson, April. German Quickly: revised edition. Peter Lang Publishing, 2007. ISBN: 978-0820467597, Pub. Price $46.95 [548 pp.].

Ziefle, Helmut. Modern Theological German: A Reader and Dictionary. Baker Books, 1997. ISBN: 978-0801021442, Pub. Price $40.00 [664 pp.].

A German Dictionary:

Langenscheidt Standard Dictionary German: German – English / English – German. Langenscheidt, 2011. ISBN: 978-3468980466, Pub. Price $22.99. OR

Oxford German Dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0199545681, Pub. Price $55.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Class Time with active participation (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and is absolutely essential to your success.] [40 hours]
Weekly exercises, and grammar and vocabulary quizzes (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] [80 hours]
Lectio divina practice, German texts (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3.] [10 hours]
Oral comprehension and memorization projects (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3.] [10 hours]
Midterm translation exam of one approximately 350-word German passage assessing knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #s 1, 2, 5.] [10 hours]
Final translation exam of one approximately 500-word German passage assessing knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 5.] [10 hours]

PREREQUISITES: None. Audits permitted only with transcript evidence of prior study, and will be expected to complete all assignments except final exam.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.