Course Syllabus

Dr. Karin Schutjer

Professor of German

MLLL

M/W 4:30-5:50 PM  KH 230

Email: kschutjer@ou.edu

 

 

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Course Overview

I am not an expert or even particularly knowledgeable in any STEM discipline.  Therefore my role is to facilitate YOUR exploration of your specific field of interest in Germany.    This will include developing a field-specific vocabulary, learning about research in that field, familiarizing yourself with the institutional landscape that shapes the field, discovering educational and career opportunities, and finally imagining a road map for entering that field. Because of the prominent role that English plays in STEM disciplines in Germany, this course will be taught 50% in German / 50% in English.

I can imagine it will be challenging to add an additional course in the middle of the semester, so please be thoughtful and intentional about how you might fit in time for preparation and homework.  Remember that a  microcourse is like a 5-week slice of a normal 3-credit-hour course.  That means, you should calculate up to 3 hours of outside time for a 75-minute meeting.  In fact, most of the assignments in this course will take far less time,.  My hope is that you might engage in your own further explorations as you consider your own personal study and career options

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Prerequisites 

Generally GERM 2223.  Can be taken concurrently with GERM 2223 with permission. The course is set up to accommodate different levels.  Crucial is that you extend yourself through active learning and pursuit of your interests.

Course Materials

Everything is available online or in Canvas.  We will be using Google suite quite frequently, but you do not need your own account.  You will have in individual doc which you will add to with various assignments.  This doc can then serve as a resource for your final paper and  (I hope) for your future pursuit of opportunities. 

Grades

Breakdown

This course meets ten times.  After the first class, each week will have assignments due.  Most of these will not take more than 1 to 1.5 hours. The breakdown will be as follows

There are 8 assignments worth 5% each. 

There is 1 slightly longer assignment (Uni-Jäger International) worth 10%.

The final (2-page) paper is worth 20%

Attendance and participation are worth 25%. 

Click on "Assignments" for more detail.

Scale

I use the normal ten point scale.  I use standard approaches to rounding up and don't otherwise adjust final grades, i.e.

89.5 - 100 = A, 79.5 - 89.4 = B

Course Components

The largest grade item will be a final short paper ( 2 pages) in which you create a detailed fictional educational and work profile of an American pursuing a career in Germany in your chosen field.

Exams

There is no exam for this course.

Course Policies

Communication

The best way to contact me is by email.  If you have not heard back from me in 24 hours, please send me a friendly prompt.  Don't sweat it, it won't hurt my feelings, you can simply say, "Dr. Schutjer, I just wanted to follow up on this email,"

Late Policy

If you need an extension, please contact me before the assignment is due.

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ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. For specific definitions on what constitutes cheating, review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity.

To be successful in this class, all work on exams and quizzes must be yours and yours alone. Unless otherwise specified (for example open-book quizzes), please assume that you are NOT to use outside resources, whether other human beings or online tools etc. Please don't hesitate to ask when you have questions.  Sanctions for academic misconduct can include expulsion from the University and an F in this course, so don’t cheat. It’s simply not worth it.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. In a language class, this includes using  translation apps and software and AI like Chat GPT.  OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education.  This includes your academics, housing, and community events.  If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access.  Possible disabilities include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health.  Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.  To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (ph.) 405.325.3852, or adrc@ou.edu. 

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your professor or the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 as soon as possible. Also, see the Institutional Equity Office FAQs on Pregnant and Parenting Student’s Rights for answers to commonly asked questions (https://ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs/_jcr_content/contentpar/download/file.res/FAQ's_Pregnant%20and%20Parenting%20Students.pdf)..

Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement

Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically. The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see “Can I make an anonymous report?”). You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or police (911). Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in: class discussion, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails and during Student/Office Hours. For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Final Exam Preparation Period

Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU’s Final Exam Preparation Period policy.

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety (https://www.ou.edu/campussafety/policy-and-procedures).

Severe Weather

If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather.

1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
2. Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
3. Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up
5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety (https://www.ou.edu/campussafety/divisions#campus-weather).

Armed Subject/Campus Intruder: 

If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:

1. Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911. 2. Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room. 3. Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself.

For more information, visit OU’s Emergency Preparedness site (https://hr.ou.edu/emergency-preparedness).

Shots Fired on Campus Procedure — Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsEOhGJIdI8)

Fire Alarm/General Emergency:

If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators. 2. KNOW at least two building exits 3. ASSIST those that may need help 4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area 5 ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues. 6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus

Mental Health Support Services

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment call (405) 325-2911. For more information, please visitUniversity Counseling Center.

Dead-Week and Pre-Finals Week Policies

Our course observes the OU policy that stipulates that while during pre-finals week all normal class activities continue, I will give no assignment, test, or examination accounting for more than 3% of the course grade, unless I assign it to you in advance of pre-finals week and it is worth less than 10%, or I schedule it at least 30 days prior if it is worth more than 10%. Additionally, I will schedule no activity for you that conflicts with another class.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” (audio available when opened in Chrome) Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.  Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people. The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.