Welcome Dickinsonians! The German department is looking forward to seeing you all this fall in our classes!

The German Department is committed to providing every student an open path towards the minor and major. If you would like to know more about the major and/or minor requirements, see our curriculum page.

Below are answers to common questions about Fall 2020 which we will update regularly. Please be aware that the plans for the fall are subject to change. For the most updated information, contact the chair or your instructor. Please do check here for the most recent information during Course Request Period in late July.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor of the course and/or the department chair.

FAQ 

What technology will I need and what will my course look like?

What about academic support like the Multilingual Writing Center (MWC) and Academic Tutoring? Will I be able to work with a peer tutor on writing or course material?

What will co-curricular events (German Table, public lectures, class visitors, German Club) look like?

I will not be taking a German course in the fall. What courses will be offered in the spring?

What technology will I need and what will my course look like?

As you know from President Ensign’s recent e-mail, we will be teaching courses during Fall 2020 remotely. Learning goals for our courses have not changed, but the way we will achieve those goals will be different depending on the course content and learning goals. In addition to the required textbooks and course materials, the following equipment is strongly recommended for our courses:

• a device with a larger screen (desktop, laptop, tablet)
• a reliable internet connection
• a webcam
• a microphone
• access to a printer
• a camera (like on a phone)
• a scanner or app that generates PDFs

The college is also developing resources to help you with the remote learning environment. SOAR has some for both time management and academic success and social, emotional, and mental wellness. Of course, you are always welcome to speak with your instructor about any concerns you might have.

Prof. McGaughey’s classes will meet regularly during the scheduled class time on Zoom and include collaborative writing projects to be completed online or via Microsoft Office365. In German 201 students will also meet regularly with our colleague, Verena Mertz, in Bremen, Germany. In all Zoom meetings, we will focus on conversation. With Verena you will practice speaking in a more informal setting than our class Zoom meetings. German 300 (German Pop) covers a movement in German literature that incorporates media, particularly music, videos, and film. We will work collaboratively on a class Wiki and a blog.

Prof. Hudson will also be working with Verena Mertz, our colleague in Bremen. Students will work with her one day a week.

What about academic support like the Multilingual Writing Center (MWC) and Academic Tutoring? Will I be able to work with a peer tutor on writing or course material?

We will continue to make all tutoring options available as much as possible. Tutoring will take place virtually due to the physical challenges of meeting health and safety recommendations.

More on the MWC, including tutors and tutoring schedule, can be found here.

Academic advising offers tutoring services for students that includes reviewing grammar topics, speaking, and writing. For access to a tutor, please contact your instructor.

For ideas and resources to assist you in this new remote learning environment, see SOAR for both time management and academic success and social, emotional, and mental wellness. Of course, you are always welcome to speak with your instructor about any concerns you might have.

What will co-curricular events (German Table, public lectures, class visitors, German Club) look like?

The Department is currently focusing on planning our courses and providing you the support you need to be successful in your German department class. While this is our priority at this time, we also hope to maintain an active program with virtual gatherings and events. As the college moves further into planning for the fall, we will know more about student-run activities like German Club. If you have ideas or would like to express an interest in German programming, please contact the chair, Kamaal Haque, haquek@dickinson.edu.

I will not be taking a German course in the fall. What courses will be offered in the spring?

The German department encourages students to not take a semester of coursework off, particularly in our sequenced courses 101-102-201-202. We understand that this is not always possible. In Spring 2021 the following courses will be taught in German.

Updated 7/17/20