This seminar examines German media as manifestations of cultural attitudes, behaviors, and values. Using primarily materials searched for on the class web links and presented by students after an illustration of the task by the instructor, the course will focus on the media context (historical factors, regulations, ownership), the message systems implied by the way information in various texts is written, spoken, or realized visually, and the audiences for which various examples are intended.

Students will look at and write in German about the visual imagery of film, internet, and video texts, the register or word choice of texts and videos, and how modification of particular genres are used to address a topic (interviews, newscasts, documentaries, corporate versus governmental web sites) affect the arrangement and weighting of information conveyed. Ultimately, our goal will be to view the way various media construct language, images, scenarios, and events as German or non-German, significant or trivial.

The design of this course asks students to use the language of both spoken and written texts to express their ideas. Initial identification of 5-6 that convey textual messages will be developed in précis and short essays to be posted on Blackboard. These postings will also be the basis for comments in threaded discussions. In addition, there will be 5 unannounced Quizzes and a Midterm and Final Exam (to be taken during the final examination period after classes are over).

Videos and films for take home available from Batts 3, copies to view in Batts 232
Massenmedien in Deutschland, Herman Meyn, new edition 2001; available at http://www. Amazon.de

Posted on the instructor's web page: www.utexas.edu/courses/swaffar

• Poster or Powerpoint presentations-10%
• Advanced preparation for oral presentations-10%
• AUFGABEN (assigned written précis) --25%
• AUFGABEN (assigned postings & essays + revisions posted ON BLACKBOARD) 30%
• Comments on Blackboard postings-5%
• Quizzes-5%
• Midterm and Final ­ 15%