Titelseite Deutsche Kulturkunde
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GER 589
"German Civilization"
First Assignment
Discussion Forum GuidelinesCommunicating "over the miles"

Because students will be taking the course in different locations, we will be using electronic communication techniques to collaborate.  E-mail, with the instructor and your classmates, and threaded discussion forums  will provide two electronic means to share ideas.

  1. The alphabetical class roster lists the names and e-mail addresses of your instructor and fellow students. Use this when you need to communicate to an individual.
  2. For group communications, use the class discussion forums. The forums allow both the instructor and students to have ongoing dialogs.
For this first "get acquainted" assignment,  you will be using a threaded discussion forum.  Threaded discussion forums allow students and instructors to share ideas using the Web's hypertext capabilities. Discussion forums link messages by subject. Thus, all  messages on one topic are grouped together, allowing users to follow connected threads of thought. 

To create a thread, you "Post a Message", which includes your name, e-mail address, subject  and message. When you click a submit button, the forum writes and links your  message. Others may read your message by clicking on it and, if desired, post a followup giving their own opinions. 

Sample Discussion Forum 
Post a new message!  To respond to an existing message, click on it to read it, then select "Post a Followup"! 
  •  Posted messages appear here - Click messages to read them. 
    • Followups appear underneath. 
      • There can also be followups to followups! 
For this first assignment, you will practice (1) creating your own thread in the class discussion forum, (2) reading others' messages posted there, and (3) posting followup messages to one of your classmates' comments. All messages (original postings and followups) should be in German, although English is an option! Hint: Read "Keyboard Shortcuts for Foreign Characters." 

Assignments
E-Reading: ("Electronic"-Reading)
Writing assignment
E-Discussion		 Writing Assignment:  Discussion Forum - FIRST PRACTICE SESSION - Creating a thread
This writing assignment will require you to enter our online discussion forum, compose your paragraph "thread", then post it for others to read. The forum is one type of "virtual classroom." When we "talk"  there, it’ll be like talking in a regular classroom, except that we’ll be writing what we say instead of speaking out loud. Reading will stand in for hearing. This means that what you write here will be seen by others, so keep that in mind. 

As in any other class, our first task will be to get to know each other. Your assignment is to write a brief paragraph of introduction (let’s say something about 7-10 lines in length). Remember: It's to be written in German. Please include in your introduction: 

  • Your name and e-mail address
  • Why you’re taking this course
  • What you’d like to learn
  • One (1) Web address (URL) for a site on German civilization or cultural history you'd like to share with your classmates.   Learn how to copy/paste URLs. 
When you’ve written your introductory paragraph, press the Post Message button. I have begun the discussion with a bit about "myself". 

Remember that you’ll need to come back to the forum, read everyone else’s introduction, and post an additional response.
E-Discussion
Writing assignment		 Assignment:  Discussion Forum - SECOND PRACTICE SESSION  - Posting a followup
Now that we've each had a chance to "stand -- electronically -- at the front of the class,"  go back to the forum and read everyone else’s introduction. Choose one or more of the introductions to post an additional response "followup".