Modern Languages and Literatures
Courses of Instruction in German
Requirements for Major Programs
34 hours beyond 201, including 202 (if needed), GER 301& 302 (Composition and Conversation), a 400-level course, and GER 495 (Capstone). The elective courses must include
202 = 4 cr.
301 & 302 = 6 cr.
2 lit. = 6 cr.
2 C/C = 6 cr.
1 Ling. = 3 cr.
495 = 3 cr.
= 28 cr., leaving two elective 300-level courses
Requirements for Minor Programs
Minors must take at least 22 credits of German beyond 201, including GER 202 (if needed) and GER 301 & 302 (Composition and Conversation I & II). Of the elective courses, they must take
** Study-abroad courses taken in German count toward both the major and minor; for instance a language/grammar course toward an elective, and a content course toward the applicable area (lit., culture/civ, or ling.).
Courses of Instruction
A note on prerequisites and corequisites: for all 300-level courses except 321 (Phonetics), students should have at least one semester of Composition and Conversation. They may take 300-level content courses concurrently with the second semester of Composition and Conversation. 400-level courses are meant to be taken immediately before the Capstone, hence the senior status requirement. However, students with the 302 prerequisite may also take a 400-level course which is of interest to them.
GER 101 Elementary German I.
An introduction to the language with emphasis on understanding, speaking, and reading, complemented by recorded materials available in the Language Resource Center. Not for credit for students with prior college German or more than two semesters of high school German. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.
GER 102 Elementary German II.
Continuation of 101. Students may not receive credit for both 102 and 150. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 101, credit, or appropriate placement test score. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.
GER 150 Intensive Elementary German.
One-semester review of elementary German for students with prior study but who are not adequately prepared for 200-level courses. Covers the same material as 101 and 102. Prerequisite: appropriate high school background or placement-test score. Four credits. Offered fall semester.
GER 180 Special Topics in German.
Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 100-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Variable credit. Offered on sufficient demand.
GER 201 Intermediate German I.
Continuation of 102. Review and advancement of grammar, with additional focus on reading, writing, and the culture of German-speaking countries. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 102/150, credit, or appropriate placement test score. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.
GER 202 Intermediate German II.
Continuation of 201. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 201, credit, or appropriate placement test score. Fulfills World Perspective requirements. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.
GER 280 Special Topics in German.
Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 200-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Prerequisite: GER 201. Variable credit - no more than four credits may be applied to the major or minor. Offered on sufficient demand.
GER 301 Composition.
This course provides extensive practice in written composition. Students review the finer points of German grammar and write texts in different genres. Students spend much of their time in class writing, peer editing, and revising their own work. Extensive reading assignments and work on reading strategies will expand reading skills. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: GER 202 with a C (not C-) or better, or by appropriate placement. Three credits.
GER 302 Conversation.
This course provides extensive practice in speaking and listening to German. Students will learn to negotiate a variety of social situations and make effective presentations. Vocabulary building and development of comunicative strategies are also incorporated. Listening skills will also be expanded through regular exercises featuring a variety of media. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: GER 302 with a grade of C or better, or appropriate placement. Three credits.
GER 303 Introduction to German Literature I.
A brief survey of German literature from the Germanic period to the end of the seventeenth century. Prerequisite: GER 301 & 302; 302 may be taken concurrently. Three credits. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 304 Introduction to German Literature II.
A survey of German literature from the eighteenth century to 1945. Prerequisite: GER 301. GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed. Three credits. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years.
GER 311 German Civilization and Culture II.
A study of the cultural, social, and economic history and development of the German-speaking peoples from the Baroque to 1945. Prerequisite: 301. Three credits. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 312 Contemporary German Culture.
The study of aspects of the culture of German-speaking countries from the post-war period to the present day. Topics include the separate development and subsequent reunification of two German states, coming to terms with the past, changing family and gender roles, and the arts. Prerequisite: GER 301 & 302; 302 may be taken concurrently. Three credits. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years.
GER 315 German Cinema.
Examines major developments of German cinema throughout the twentieth century, within the context of socio-political issues facing Weimar and Nazi Germany, the separate West and East German states, and reunified Germany. The course provides an overview of important movements, directors, and studios, and introduces the tools of film analysis. Prerequisite: GER 301 & 302; 302 may be taken concurrently. Three credits. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 321 Phonetics.
An introduction to the sound system of German, designed to improve students' pronunciation, intonation and listening comprehension, primarily through comparison of English and German. Prerequisite: German 202 with a C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.
GER 322 Introduction to German Linguistics.
An introduction to general linguistics through modern German. Covers phonology, morphology, syntax, applied linguistics, dialectology, sociolinguistics and language change. A brief survey of German literature from the Germanic period to the end of the seventeenth century. Prerequisite: GER 301 & 302; 302 may be taken concurrently. Three credits. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 331 Business German I.
Part of a two-course sequence. This course focuses on the language and culture of business in German-speaking countries in both their European and global contexts. Topics covered include: foreign trade, the European Union, the labor market, economic policy, shipping, and transportation. A brief survey of German literature from the Germanic period to the end of the seventeenth century. Prerequisite: GER 302; 302 may be taken concurrently with GER 301. Three credits. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 332 Business German II.
The second of two courses designed to prepare students for a position with a German-speaking company in an increasingly global marketplace. This course focuses on German business culture and organization, as well as on specific types of business correspondence. Other topics include transportation, tourism, consumer concerns, and social security. Prerequisite: GER 331. Three credits. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years.
GER 380 Special Topics in German.
Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 300-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Prerequisite: GER 301. Three credits. Offered on sufficient demand.
GER 399 Independent Reading
Offered fall and winter semesters. Credits 1 to 4.
GER 401 Modern German Literature.
Continuation of GER 304. Covers writings from the latter half of the twentieth century to the present day and places them in their socio-cultural context. Poems, short stories, novellas and longer novels will be supplemented by clips from movies. Prerequisites: German 304. Three credits. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years.
GER 402 German Authors.
Reading and analysis of selected German authors within their cultural and historical context. This course is conducted in German. Class discussion and written assignments advance the students' language and cultural competency in German. This course may be repeated for credit if the content is different. Prerequisites: Two 300-level courses or permission of the instructor. Three credits.
GER 421 History of the German Language.
Presents the historical development of the German language and its dialects within the socio-historical context. Topics covered include the position of German within the Indo-European and Germanic language families, periods in the development of German, with representative literary genres and works, and the development of dialects of German. Prerequisites: German 321. Three credits. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.
GER 480 Special Topics in German.
Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 400-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Variable credit. Offered on sufficient demand.
GER 495 Advanced Topics in German (Capstone).
Interdisciplinary study of major literary, cultural, historical, economic, or political period, genre, or movement from a cross-national perspective in an effort to produce a thesis that culminates the study of German as a major. Prerequisite: Senior standing with a major in German. Three credits. Offered winter semester.
GER 499 Independent Study and Research
Offered fall and winter semesters. Credits: 1 to 4.
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