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AP German Language & Culture

Course Description

The German V/AP course is intended to further develop the active communication skills established in levels I-IV. The course is comprised of six thematic units organized around essential questions and authentic materials. The six units include: Global Challenges (Globalisierung), Personal and Public Identities (Personliche und Offentiliche Identitat), Families and Communities (FAmiie und
Gemeinschaft), Contemporary LIfe (Alltag), Science and Technology (Naturwissenschaft und Technologie), and Beauty and Aesthetics (Schonheit und Asthetik). Contexts often overlap the themes. Students engage in activities and assignments focused on interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in a variety of situations. Selected structural foundations (grammar) are addressed in each unit The targeted structures as well as vocabulary development and stylistics are practiced and refined. Most of the grading of speaking and writing is holistically evaluated using rubrics.

The course is conducted entirely in German and students are expected to use German exclusively in class.

Grade Level(s): 12th grade

Related Priority Standards (State &/or National):  Missouri Course Level Expectations - World Languages

Essential Questions

• Why did the people from German-speaking Europe emigrate to the United States?
• How did the immigrants' experiences shape German culture in the United States?
• In what ways have the German-Americans contributed to American innovation and cultural life?

Enduring Understandings/Big Ideas

  • Culture and experience are inextricably linked.
  • Every culture is unique, and, there are commonalities among various cultures.
  • A culture's use of language (written, verbal, visual, etc.) provides a lens through which we can analyze various perspectives on a variety of topics and issues.
  • Language acquisition provides vision and skills to be a global citizen.
  • Knowledge of similarities and differences between first and additional languages helps learners gain a new perspective on their own language and culture.

Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

Unit:  The German American/Global Challenges, Inventions as Catalysts of Change

This unit covers a variety of topics related to the experience and impact of German immigrants including: economic and political issues, philosophy and religion, and inventions as a catalyst for change.

  1. Interpersonal: Spoken and Written - Students describe the experiences of the family in Das Paradies liegt in Amerika in small groups and design a time line. Students pretend to be new immigrants and write an informal letter to their best friend still in Europe.
    1. Understand the subtleties of language in order to communicate effectively.
    2. Interpretive: Gain an understanding of cultural perspective through an analysis of written and spoken products from the target culture.
    3. Understand similarities and differences among various interpretations of Heimat
    4. Analyze fiction and nonfiction
    5. Understand areas of concerns immigrants may have
  2. Presentational: Spoken and Written - Students use presentation software and presentation skills to effectively share information.
    1. Compare and contrast meaning of Heimat among cultures.
    2. Understand impact of integration on a person from another culture
    3. Utilize structural foundations of the target language.

Unit:  Heimat - An exploration of what Heimat mean to the Germans, the influence English has had on the German Language, and the pros and cons of cultural integration.  

 - Students will Utilize verbal and non-verbal clues to understand language and communicate meaning

Unit:  Families and Communities - A study of families across societies including the roles that families and communities assume in various societies, and how the views of iindividuals affect their relationships to the community.

  1.  Students will use language appropriately in a variety of contexts.
  2.  Students will understand the perspective of people from a culture different than one's own.

Unit:  Contemporary Life - A study including various aspects of contemporary life including: education and career; health and well-being; science and technology; and personal technologies. Included in the study is an examination of technology as a catalyst for change.

  1. Utilizing research skills
  2. Planning a presentation
  3. Speaking publicly

Unit:  Science and Technology - A study of science and technology including the social impact of innovation.

  1. Use reference tools in the target language correctly
  2. Develop an argument and support with specific details
  3. Use the language correctly to communicate ideas

Unit:  Beauty and Aeshtetics - A study of the cultural impact of beauty and aesthetics as well as cultural perspectives on leisure time and amusement including the performing arts, and advertising.

  1. Understand key elements of editorials and critiques
  2. Understand advertising techniques
  3. Use case system correctly
  4. Use subjunctive II
  5. Form indirect questions

Date Last Revised/Approved:   2013