German Courses

GER 1010  (5 credits) Elementary German I. This course focuses on skills development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with emphasis on the use of functional, communicative language for oral and written proficiency and cultural competency.

GER 1020 (5 credits) Elementary German II. Prerequisite: GER 1010, or one or two years of high school German. This course is a continuation of GER 1010 and focuses on skills development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with emphasis on the use of functional, communicative language for oral and written proficiency and cultural competency. (General Studies—Level I, Communications)

GER 1800 (1–15 credits) International German Year I. This is a variable-credit course for first-year students learning German in a study-abroad setting. It recognizes an approved study-abroad educational experience in German speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing.

GER 2010 (3 credits) Intermediate German I. Prerequisite: one year of college German or equivalent. This course is the first of a two-semester, integrated, second-year sequence. The course focuses on further skills development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on the use of functional, communicative language for oral and written proficiency and on cultural competency. Class is conducted mostly in German and will include a variety of interactive activities designed to help students develop their knowledge of German and their ability to use it productively in situations of communication.

GER 2020 (3 credits) Intermediate German II. Prerequisite: German 2010 or equivalent. This course is a continuation of GER 2010 and is the second of a two-semester, integrated, second-year sequence. The course focuses on further skills development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on the use of functional, communicative language for oral and written proficiency and on cultural competency. Class is conducted mostly in German and will include a variety of interactive activities designed to help students develop their knowledge of German and their ability to use it productively in situations of communication.

GER 2110 (3 credits) German Reading and Conversation. Prerequisite: one year of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course prepares the student to read and to communicate with ease in German. It emphasizes vocabulary and idiomatic phrases used in everyday language.

GER 2120 (3 credits) German Civilization. Prerequisite: one year of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course emphasizes the broadening of reading and conversational skills. It introduces the student to various aspects of German civilization, from its geography and history to its philosophical and political thought, arts, music, and modern living.

GER 2800 (1–15 credits) International German Year II. Prerequisite: one year of college German or equivalent. This variable-credit course recognizes second-year study of German language and culture in an approved study-abroad setting.

GER 3010 (3 credits) Third Year German Conversation. Prerequisite: GER 2110 or 2120 or four years of high school German. This course strengthens conversational ability with more complicated idiomatic and structural elements, using techniques such as skits, debates, and small-group discussions to improve fluency and broaden the scope of communication. Conducted in German.

GER 3150 (3 credits) German Phonetics: Theory and Practice. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course covers improvement of pronunciation and speech habits based on an understanding of the phonetics of German. After an introduction to the basic speech mechanism through principles of linguistics, the course offers practice in pronunciation through the declamation of selected texts.

GER 3200 (3 credits) German Culture and Civilization. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course emphasizes the broadening of reading, speaking and writing skills. It deepens knowledge of various aspects of German civilization, from its geography and history to its philosophical and political thought, arts, music, and modern living.

GER 3210 (3 credits) Survey of German Literature I. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course provides an insight into German historical and cultural development through selected readings in German literature, from its beginning to the 18th century. Conducted in German.

GER 3220 (3 credits) Survey of German Literature II. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course covers the history of German literature of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, including selected readings of principle German authors, lectures on biography and criticism, and recitation. Conducted in German.

GER 3230 (3 credits) Contemporary German Writers. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. After a rapid survey of philosophical, political, economic, and social backgrounds, this course emphasizes works of distinguished contemporary authors. Lectures on biography and criticism are interspersed as convenient. A term paper is assigned. Conducted in German.

GER 3300 (3 credits) Advanced German Grammar. Prerequisites: GER 2010, 2020 or permission of instructor. This course is designed to prepare the student for the demands of the use of literary and scientific German at advanced levels. The student is led into an appreciation of the deeper structures of the language and the functional aspects of grammar in communication.

GER 3400 (3 credits) German Business Culture. Prerequisite: GER 2020 or permission of instructor. This course is for students who plan to do business with people in German-speaking countries. Incorporates specialized language pertaining to marketing, banking, the structure of corporations, and the code of behavior in the business world; the social protection of the gainfully employed; transportation; import; and export. Excellent exercises for reading/comprehension on today’s topics are included.

GER 390C (3 credits) German Film. Prerequisite: two years of college German or equivalent or permission of instructor. This course covers the history of German film of the 20th and early 21st centuries, including selected screenings of principle German directors, lectures on biography and criticism. Conducted in German.

GER 4020 (3 credits) Advanced German Composition. Prerequisite: three hours of third-year college German. This course is an advanced study of the application of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical structures necessary for effective written communication. It includes review and expansion of various grammatical topics, exercises on stylistics, and considerable expansion of the student’s vocabulary. Conducted in German.

GER 4200 (3 credits) Major German Authors. Prerequisites: nine hours of German above 1020 or permission of instructor. Senior standing necessary if used for Senior Experience requirement. The course traces in representative works the artistic and intellectual development of major German authors who have gained a place in world literature. Class periods will be devoted to historical background, biographies, group discussions and analysis. Class is conducted in German, requiring oral and written reports. (Senior Experience)

GER 4210 (3 credits) Advanced Conversation: Present-day Germany. Prerequisite: three hours of third-year college German or permission of instructor. This course is designed to help the student develop an understanding of present-day Germany. Recent and current socioeconomic changes and political trends are emphasized. Articles in recent issues of a leading German periodical are used as basis for classroom discussion, student reports, and themes.

GER 4400 (3 credits) Advanced German Business Culture. Prerequisites: nine hours of German above 1020 or permission of instructor. Senior standing necessary if used for Senior Experience requirement. The course focuses on business topics with specialized language pertaining to industry, marketing, finance, social welfare, the consumer in general and the environment. Class is conducted in German, requiring oral and written reports. (Senior Experience)  

GER 4980 (3 credits) Independent Study. Prerequisites: nine hours of German above 1020 or permission of instructor. The course focuses on cultural topics as arranged.