Course Syllabus
Dr. Karin Schutjer
Professor of German
MLLL
MW 4:00-5:30 PM
KH 234
Office hour: TR 3:20-4:20
Email: kschutjer@ou.edu
Course Description:
This course will consider how Germany is grappling with arguably the greatest challenge of our times—climate change—through a transition or turn (Wende) at every level and in every sector of their society. Initially, the move away from fossil fuels was referred to as die Energiewende, the move away from fossil fuels. But to the emphasis on developing green sources of electricity, German has added a push to change the way buildings are heated (Wärmewende) and transportation is powered (Verkehrswende). Since climate change can be an overwhelming and even paralyzing topic, this course will keep a practical focus on solutions and efforts towards mitigation. But in case it's helpful background, here's a quick overview of the outcomes associated with a global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius. Please note that we will not be debating the scientific consensus that human activity is changing the climate. If you'd like to explore the basis for that consensus, you might start with this publication, from 2020, put out jointly by the National Academy of Sciences in the US and the Royal Academy in the UK, two of the most prestigious scientific organizations in the world.
Like other microcourses you may have had, the class is organized around a project that is doable within the five-week framework. For us that will be a poster exhibit /presentation on the last day, to which we'll invite other German students and faculty.
You may have also experienced in your other microcourses a focus on a particular kind of linguistic skill (for example, translation, listening, declamation etc). In this courses we will be working on a skill that is very important if you ever take one of the standard German tests that qualify you to enroll in a degree program in Germany. That skill is called Graphikbeschreibung and it involves simply expaining visualized data like a table or a graph. We will practice this quite a bit.
Another feature of a microcourse is that we accommodate students at many different levels. I am hoping that everyone in this class will find that they have things to learn and ways to grow, that they feel challenged without feeling completely overwhelmed. In order to make this very diversified learning atmosphere work, where there's no uniform standard of performance, each student will need to take responsibility for their own learning to some degree. What I am looking for is your steady effort and engagement.
Keep in mind, a microcourse is a 5-week chunk of a 3-hour course (which according to OU standards should involve approximately 6 hours a week outside work). At the same time I realize that many of you are taking this course in addition to a full load, so while homework really is necessary for a decent learning outcome, I have tried to strike some balance and aimed for a weekly maximum of more like 2-3 hours. To do that homework, simply move through the Canvas module step-by-step. The homework is by and large not high-stakes and grades are mostly based on completion. For example, while I have created vocab quizzes, your grade is based not on the results of the quiz but on your having done the quiz. There are also some assignments that involve digesting information in German into very short presentations, or Kurzreferate. Another assignment involves your own search for articles and information that you'll share with others. For the biggest project, the poster project, we will devote some in-class time so that you can work together with your partner and practice describing the graphs in German. Finally your attendance is critical to your individual success and the success of the course. More than one missed class—and recall just one course amounts to 10% of the whole—can have a significant impact on your grade for that week.
For a list of all the assignments, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Generally GERM 2223. Can be taken concurrently with GERM 2223 with permission.
Course Materials
Grades
50% various kinds of homework
25% final project
25% attendance / participation
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 your final poster, which may be done individually or with a partner.
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.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT
University Policies
Mental Health Support Services
Support is available for any student experiencing mental health issues that are impacting their academic success. Students can either been seen at the University Counseling Center (UCC) located on the second floor of Goddard Health Center or receive 24/7/365 crisis support from a licensed mental health provider through TELUS Health. To schedule an appointment or receive more information about mental health resources at OU please call the UCC at 405-325-2911 or visit University Counseling Center. The UCC is located at 620 Elm Ave., Room 201, Norman, OK 73019.
Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement
The University of Oklahoma faculty are committed to creating a safe learning environment for all members of our community, free from gender and sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in accordance with Title IX. There are resources available to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you have (or someone you know has) experienced any form of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence and wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or University Counseling Center (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 405-325-2911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, and because of our Title IX obligations, 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 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. You may also choose to report directly to the Institutional Equity Office. After a report is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to provide resources, support, and information and the reported information will remain private. For more information regarding the University’s Title IX Grievance procedures, reporting, or support measures, please visit Institutional Equity Office at 405-325-3546.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full educational participation for students with disabilities. If you have already established reasonable accommodations with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), please submit your semester accommodation request through the ADRC as soon as possible and contact me privately, so that we have adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations.
If you have not yet established services through ADRC, but have a documented disability and require accommodations, please complete ADRC’s pre-registration form to begin the registration process. ADRC facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations for students at OU. For more information on ADRC registration procedures, please review their Register with the ADRC web page. You may also contact them at (405)325-3852 or adrc@ou.edu, or visit www.ou.edu/adrc for more information.
Note: disabilities may include, but are not limited to, mental health, chronic health, physical, vision, hearing, learning and attention disabilities, pregnancy-related. ADRC can also support students experiencing temporary medical conditions.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2]
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 the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 and/or the Institutional Equity Office at 405/325-3546 as soon as possible. Also, see the Institutional Equity Office FAQ on Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights for answers to commonly asked questions.
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.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather.
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
The University of Oklahoma Active Threat Guidance
The University of Oklahoma embraces a Run, Hide, Fight strategy for active threats on campus. This strategy is well known, widely accepted, and proven to save lives. To receive emergency campus alerts, be sure to update your contact information and preferences in the account settings section at one.ou.edu.
RUN: Running away from the threat is usually the best option. If it is safe to run, run as far away from the threat as possible. Call 911 when you are in a safe location and let them know from which OU campus you’re calling from and location of active threat.
HIDE: If running is not practical, the next best option is to hide. Lock and barricade all doors; turn of all lights; turn down your phone’s volume; search for improvised weapons; hide behind solid objects and walls; and hide yourself completely and stay quiet. Remain in place until law enforcement arrives. Be patient and remain hidden.
FIGHT: If you are unable to run or hide, the last best option is to fight. Have one or more improvised weapons with you and be prepared to attack. Attack them when they are least expecting it and hit them where it hurts most: the face (specifically eyes, nose, and ears), the throat, the diaphragm (solar plexus), and the groin.
Please save OUPD’s contact information in your phone.
NORMAN campus: For non-emergencies call (405) 325-1717. For emergencies call (405) 325-1911 or dial 911.
TULSA campus: For non-emergencies call (918) 660-3900. For emergencies call (918) 660-3333 or dial 911.
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:
- LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators.
- KNOW at least two building exits
- ASSIST those that may need help
- PROCEED to the emergency assembly area
- ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues.
- WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
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