EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. grammar/vocabulary quizzes: At the end of each (grammar) chapter, there will be a short quiz (generally less than the 50 minutes in each class period) focusing on the vocabulary and  features of grammar discussed in the respective chapter.  Grammatical accuracy and straightforward knowledge of individual vocabulary items will be the primary grading criteria.  The purpose of these quizzes is to make sure that you are familiar with and have a basic understanding of these discrete points of grammar and discrete vocabulary items.
   
2. Schreibprojekte:  Please note that the syllabus gives only due dates.  You must begin with your projects (even the short-term ones) well in advance so as to take advantage of the various developmental/feedback activities.  There are "check dates", however.  Your instructor may use these to have the class compare notes, perform portions of the project for a larger audience (if suitable), etc.  You will still be able to/have to make changes after check dates.
   
   All Schreibprojekte consist of several parts and phases:
   1. In-class and out-of-class activities: 
   2. topic selection and planning:
   3. draft & review:
      
      
3. Homework:  Besides the writing assignments, there will be additional homework, mostly in preparation of working with reading texts or videos or of discussion of grammar points. The need to take homework assignments seriously cannot be overemphasized.  Already, the time available is minimal in view of the goal, i.e., to learn (to speak, read, comprehend, and write) German.  It is essential to prepare as much as possible at home so as to free up class time for activities which you cannot be completed by yourself: for example, conversations, exchanges of ideas etc.
   
   
4. Leseprüfungen: To reflect the prominence of reading skills in the course, there will be two 50-minute in-class reading exams.  They will focus on one single reading and contain pre-reading activities of the type you practice for other reading assignments.  Reading comprehension will be measured through different means in English. Examples of comprehension check activities are true/false, multiple choice, and completion of statements.
   
   
5. Mündliche Projekte oder Prüfungen:  Twice a semester two days (each) have been set aside to check and provide you with feedback on your oral (speaking) skills.  Your instructor will decide and inform you of his/her evaluation criteria, and the topic/s and format of the projects or exams.
   
   
6. Class participation:  Although it is difficult to transcend subjective factors in evaluating class participation, there are several explicit criteria.  They include preparedness and the subsequent ability to make valuable contributions to the course. Please note that coming to class in itself is not considered evidence of good "class participation", rather it is a prerequisite!
   
   
7. Attendance:  Our policy is to allow four absences per semester without further penalty.  The four absences may, for example, be incurred because of illnesses or personal business.  Each additional absence will result in a one percent (1%) deduction from the final grade percentage. Religious holidays are exempt from this policy, i.e., absences due to religious holidays will not be counted BUT you must make arrangements for your absence with your instructor ahead of time.
   DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE COURSE, THERE ARE NO GRADES OF "INCOMPLETE". IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE McBurney Center: http://jumpgate.acadsvcs.wisc.edu/~mcburney/  OR http://www.mcburney.wisc.edu/information/requesting/rights.php OR the Dean of Students: http://www.wisc.edu/students/.  PLEASE DO KNOW THAT LETTERS FROM THE MCBURNEY CENTER OR THE DEAN OF STUDENTS DO NO ABSOLVE YOU OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS TOWARD THE COURSE, INCLUDING ATTENDANCE.
   
   Absence from class does not absolve you from turning in due assignments or becoming aware of any new assignment due dates. Quizzes or exams (other than during religious holidays) can only be made up with the instructor's consent and at the instructor's discretion.
   
   
8. Final Project: SELF-EVALUATION OF PROGRESS AND FUTURE LEARNING GOALS

   Due to the cumulative nature of the foreign language learning, every exam – by necessity – is “summative”. To communicate, you always have to draw on all your knowledge of the language and how to use it. Similarly, there is no one assignment that embodies what it means to “know” a foreign language.  “Knowing a foreign language” involves being able to speak and write, to comprehend written and oral language, to correctly interpret contextual cues, to recognize what is culturally appropriate and expected – and a number of intangible components, not yet described through research. There is no one appropriate test of how well you know, and more importantly, can use the foreign language.  Moreover, a foreign language is not a “cramable” subject. One overnighter or even a few overnighters will make you tired but not know the language better or better able to use it. As such, we feel it would be inappropriate to require a traditional two-hour “final exam” that supposedly “summarizes” all you know. Instead, we have implemented a rather strict attendance policy (see above), which aims at providing you and your classmates (your presence is required for them to practice with you) with regular practice opportunities and allows us to monitor your progress outside our – by dint of the language learning process, rather limited – testing program.  We also having regular smaller in-class and take-home tests/projects, aiming at a variety of language use skills.  These are intended to help you (and your teacher) monitor your progress and intervene in a timely manner, i.e., before the end of the semester. Also, no one test or project assumes so much importance as to alter your final grade by itself.  There are plenty of chances to redeem yourself and, with appropriate effort, catch up, and one “bad day” won’t affect the whole semester.

   In keeping with university policies, we have created a final project which hopefully helps you look ahead to the next semester of language study. It is our most sincere hope that you continue with your language studies and give serious thought to study abroad – which is the best (and perhaps only) way to achieve true fluency.  At the beginning of the semester, you will be asked to submit a written baseline of how you would describe your current language skills (if any), your expectations, and goals.  Your instructor will then assign you to a small peer group (perhaps a “pod”), with which you are encouraged to engage in exchanges (emails, conversations, chats, etc.) about how your studies are going and where they might lead you throughout the semester.  Ideally, you will become each other’s support network though if that doesn’t happen, we understand.  If you have strong concerns about your group assignment, please contact your instructor for a change in assignment.  At the end of the semester, you will be asked to turn in a description of how your language skills developed, how your motivation fluctuated through the semester, which general challenges and rewards you see in language study – based on conversations with your group – and which goals you have set for yourself for future language study.  This final self-evaluation will be written in English and will be due on the day on which the final exam would take place.  It needs to be turned in electronically (email or Learn@UW drop box), as explained by your instructor.