Use of the Language: This course has been designed in such a way that most of the class time will be devoted to communication and will be taught in the target language (i.e., the language that you are studying).  As you already have some experience with the language, you are encouraged to use the target language as much as possible from Day 1.  You are not expected to understand everything, and you can expect to be pushed beyond your comfort zone. However, your instructor is there to make sure you can succeed in meeting the goals of the activities and of the class in general.  Our goal is for you to be able to communicate in the target language, and we cannot learn to speak a language without speaking it.  Please remember that we learn best by making mistakes, and we encourage you to try to do your best.  Don’t forget that your instructor is there to support you in class and is also available via the Matrix messaging system for assistance. 
 
Expectations/Time Commitment: Learners should expect to spend at least three hours a week reviewing materials and preparing talking points for in-class discussion. 

 
Required Materials:  Participants are required to purchase the novel “Der letzte Satz” by Robert Seethaler, about the last years of the composer Gustav Mahler 

ISBN 10: 3446267883 / ISBN 13: 9783446267886 

Possible sites to purchase the book:  

https://www.amazon.com/letzte-Satz-Roman-Robert-Seethaler/dp/3442493102/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZF54I95WO1L1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.25PLE8UbfJ0BcAqt_Fs_NYQjsH9OxWaOXZtfvd99kp8TdSMyZrRgW7cNSxSyopbAEF8gEkPPvrDrosCcTOA9CwoMIMuYRcrWadRizIeTrscD14Sv-eE5hIKrE4e9OQf2abAELgJiPNrG2x5gTkwFqUibCV615WW7cIBAKcX8eWU.gtZw_QsGgl-lMvQmgg1lL7bw93oZEbOCQ9i_Sl6vjLE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Der+letzte+Satz&qid=1729804533&s=books&sprefix=der+letzte+satz%2Cstripbooks%2C130&sr=1-1 

or here 

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31615675559&searchurl=cond%3Dan%2Bfine%2Bnf%2Bvg%2Bgood%2Bfair%2Bpoor%2Buns%26ds%3D30%26rollup%3Don%26sortby%3D17%26tn%3DDer%2Bletzte%2BSatz&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp0-_-title1 

NOTE: Since this is a novella (or very short novel), we will complement the readings with research into the culture of the time. 

If the required reading materials cannot be obtained prior to the first class, due to shipping or other issues, participants are encouraged to contact the instructor right away so that provision can be made to accommodate the student with a temporary PDF file.