The cultural, scientific, and technological achievements of the German-speaking peoples are known and valued throughout the world. German is the official language of Germany and Austria and one of the official languages of Switzerland. It is also widely spoken in Eastern Europe. Today, Germany has the largest population and the most powerful economy in the European Union. A minor in German studies is available. There is no major in German studies.
Minor
The German Studies minor consists of 6 courses (24 credits)
Prerequisites (2 courses, 8 credits)
-
GER-201 Intermediate German I
Prerequisites:
GER 102 or instructors consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Four-skills approach (speaking, listening, reading, writing) utilizing authentic texts, recordings, and visual media. Grammar review, vocabulary expansion, and intensive practice. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Fall Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-202 Intermediate German II
Prerequisites:
GER 201 or Instructors consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Continuation of skills development from 201. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Spring Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
Four Advanced Courses (16 credits)
The list must include the following:-
GER-302 German Civilization II
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or consent of instructor.
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of civilization in the German-speaking countries from the late 19th century to the present. Major figures, movements, and periods. Art, literature, music, philosophy, and popular culture in the context of political and economic developments.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement,BA FOREIGN
-
GER-304 Advanced Composition
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or consent of the instructor
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Additional training in writing German. Practice in various modes (e.g., essay, poetry, dramas, short fiction). Some translation into English. Special attention paid to grammatical points where needed.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
BA FOREIGN
Note: GER 216, 218, 306, 419 and GER 420 may be counted toward the minor (with supplemental activities in German).
Related Disciplines:
A maximum of two courses from other departments can be counted toward the minor. A current list of such courses can be obtained at the department office.AP and Other Credit:
-
Incoming students who receive a score of “4” or “5” on the AP German examination have fulfilled the prerequisite for the minor.
-
A maximum of two courses taken at other institutions or as part of a study abroad program in a German-speaking country may apply toward the minor.
- Any Seminar for Freshmen with a topic related to the German-speaking countries (e.g., culture, politics, society) counts toward the major or minor programs.
German Courses
-
GER-101 Elementary German I
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Practice in both oral and written language skills using German culture as background for language study. Emphasis on active use of German to master structure, pronunciation and vocabulary. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Fall Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-102 Elementary German II
Prerequisites:
Ger-101 or instructors permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Continuation of skills development from 101. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Spring Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-201 Intermediate German I
Prerequisites:
GER 102 or instructors consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Four-skills approach (speaking, listening, reading, writing) utilizing authentic texts, recordings, and visual media. Grammar review, vocabulary expansion, and intensive practice. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Fall Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-202 Intermediate German II
Prerequisites:
GER 201 or Instructors consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Continuation of skills development from 201. One language laboratory session per week.
Term:
Offered Spring Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-216 Masters of German Literature in English Translation
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Discussion of works by major authors from the 18th century to the present. Drama, fiction, and poetry. The specifically German contributions as related to the European context. Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, Heine, Buchner, Schnitzler, Kafka, T. Mann, Hesse, Brecht, Seghers, Grass, Boll, Wolf and/or others.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities Literature Requirement
-
GER-218 Grimms Fairy Tales
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A critical reading of Grimms Fairy Tales in the cultural, literary, and political context of the times in which they were collected, edited, and read. Comparisons will be drawn with 20th/21st century cinematic adaptations. The investigation will include uncovering reasons for the graphic violence present in the tales. The contributions of major folklore scholars will also be discussed. The texts will be read in English translation.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities Literature Requirement
-
GER-301 German Civilization
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or instructor consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of civilization in the German-speaking countries from the Reformation to German unification (1871). Major figures, movements, and periods. Art, literature, music, and philosophy in the context of political and economic developments. Normally offered alternate years.
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement,BA FOREIGN
-
GER-302 German Civilization II
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or consent of instructor.
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of civilization in the German-speaking countries from the late 19th century to the present. Major figures, movements, and periods. Art, literature, music, philosophy, and popular culture in the context of political and economic developments.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement,BA FOREIGN
-
GER-303 Advanced Conversation
Prerequisites:
GER 202, or Instructors consent
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Further development of speaking ability in various contexts (e.g., informal conversation, debate, discussion of current events in the German-speaking countries). Short texts and audio- visual materials as a basis for classroom activities.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-304 Advanced Composition
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or consent of the instructor
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Additional training in writing German. Practice in various modes (e.g., essay, poetry, dramas, short fiction). Some translation into English. Special attention paid to grammatical points where needed.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-306 German Cinema
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of films produced in the German speaking countries from the 1920s to the present. Includes the Weimar republic, the Nazi period, postwar production from both East and West Germany, and new trends since reunification. Film esthetics and socio-historical context. All films shown in German with English subtitles.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
-
GER-310 Masterpieces of German Literature
Prerequisites:
GER 202 or Instructors Permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A reading of major works in the context of cultural trends and historical developments. Includes such texts as Goethes Faust, Grimms fairy tales, a selection of poetry, dramas, and short prose pieces, and at least one novel. GER 301 or GER 302 strongly recommended.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities Literature Requirement,BA FOREIGN
-
GER-320 The German Press
Prerequisites:
GER-202
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A comparative reading of articles from the German language press on such topics as contemporary culture, the environment, the European Union, globalization, immigration, minorities and the womens movement.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
BA FOREIGN
-
GER-412 Contemporary Germany
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of German culture, politics, and society from the end of World War II to the present day. Discussion of such topics as the post-fascist mentality, economic efficiency, re-education, Americanization, division and its legacy, high culture, entertainment for the masses, environmental movements, pacifism, and multiculturalism.
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
-
GER-419 East Germany and the Cold War
Credits:
4.00
Description:
When the German Democratic Republic was founded in 1949, observers in the West viewed it as an artificial construct created to serve the needs of the Soviet empire. The self-image of the GDR as created by its leadership revolved around the idea of an anti-fascist German state designed as a bulwark against any revival of National Socialism. Over a generation after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it is possible to undertake a dispassionate analysis of the forty-year history of the other German state as manifested in its cultural identity and political role during the Cold War. Cross- list with GVT 472/872
Term:
Occasional
Type:
Social Science
-
GER-420 The Greens and Environmentalism
Credits:
4.00
Description:
The rise of the Green Party, from its grass-roots beginnings to participation in the federal government. Background on the development of green consciousness in Germany and Europe since the early 20th century. Present governmental policies and programs (e.g. alternative energy sources, organic farming, recycling, dismantling of nuclear power). Cross-list with ENST 420/GVT 420/620.
Term:
Offered Spring Term
Type:
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
-
GER-502 Honors Thesis
Prerequisites:
Permission of the Dept. Chair.
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A major research project completed under the supervision of a regular faculty member.
Term:
Offered Fall Term
Type:
BA FOREIGN
