GER: German

College of Arts and Humanities

How to Read Course Descriptions

GER 101. Elementary German I. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to the German language. Students will be introduced to speaking, writing, listening, and reading in German.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 102. Elementary German II. 3 Credits.

This course is the second part of the introductory sequence to the German language. Students will continue to be introduced to speaking, writing, listening, and reading in German.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 102 requires a prerequisite of GER 101.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Spring.

GER 199. Transfer Credits. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credits.
Repeatable for Credit.

GER 200. Intermediate Research. 1 Credit.

Self-instructional program in one of the seldom-taught languages. The student works with an integrated text and tape program, and a tutor.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.

GER 201. Intermediate German I. 3 Credits.

Review of grammar and syntax, and development of intermediate proficiency skills in the language. Readings in German literature as a basis for class discussion in German and practice in composition. Must satisfy specified PREREQ or pass language placement exam.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 201 requires a prerequisite of GER 102.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

GER 202. Intermediate German II. 3 Credits.

Continuation of the review of grammar and syntax, and development of intermediate proficiency skills in the language. Readings in German literature as a basis for class discussion in German and practice in composition. Must satisfy specified PREREQ or pass language placement exam.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 202 requires a prerequisite of GER 201.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

GER 303. Advanced German Grammar and Composition I. 3 Credits.

The more complex grammatical and syntactical structures of the language with particular attention to stylistics. Practice in writing compositions on a more advanced level with emphasis on correct usage.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 303 requires prerequisite of GER 202.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 307. Advanced Oral German. 3 Credits.

Intensive drill in the oral use of the language and phonetics to develop proficiency in listening comprehension and speaking.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 307 requires prerequisite of GER 202.
Typically offered in Spring.

GER 310. Business German. 3 Credits.

For students with an interest in a business career, the course introduces trends and policies that influence German business practices, with an overview of the economy. No prior knowledge of business or economics required.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 310 requires prerequisites of GER 303 or GER 307.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 315. Developing Oral Proficiency. 3 Credits.

Specific discursive strategies will be learned and practiced, with special emphasis placed on narration and description, two essential required components of oral proficiency testing.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 315 requires a prerequisite of GER 303 or GER 307.
Typically offered in Spring.

GER 322. Austrian Civilization. 3 Credits.

The study of Austrian civilization, focusing on Vienna 1848-1938. The relationship of selected cultural and intellectual developments to their political and social contexts. This course employs the perspective of many disciplines but is specifically concerned with the humanities and visual arts.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 322 requires prerequisite GER 303 or GER 307.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 325. Introduction to German Linguistics. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the many facets of the German language from the times of the Germanic tribes to contemporary dialects. Course topics include a brief overview of the historical development of Germanic languages, including Dutch, English, and the Scandinavian languages (Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish) and distinct dialects such as Swiss German, Bavarian, and Yiddish; use of the German language in an international context, in literature and in contemporary media; and, an introduction to German phonetics.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 325 requires a prerequisite of GER 303 or GER 307.
Typically offered in Spring.

GER 326. The Representation of the Holocaust in Survivor Memoirs. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce undergraduate students to representations of the Holocaust in German-language and Yiddish Survivor Memoirs. Following a contextual introduction on the history of the Holocaust, students will learn about the different ways in which Holocaust survivors managed to recount the experiences that they endured, and students will be able to compare the experiences based on gender as well as on where survivors lived after the Holocaust. How did survivors, who chose to publish in German, experience a world in which German was classified as the perpetrator language? Students will also read Holocaust Survivor accounts written in Yiddish in German translation. What are the limits of language? What are the limits of Yiddish, which as a language has been perpetually threatened by extinction since the end of the Holocaust? These important questions will be underscored by an overview of the historical context of the Holocaust. The entire course will be conducted in German.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 326 requires a prerequisite of GER 202 or permission of the instructor.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Spring.

GER 350. German Culture I: Middle Ages to 1900. 3 Credits.

This course offers a cultural history of German-speaking Europe from the Middle Ages to the turn of the 20th century including its musical, artistic, philosophical, and literary contributions to Western culture. Emphasis will be given to representative literary works of each era and to themes such as the contributions of women, Jews, and minorities to German culture, and the question of political vs. cultural identity.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 350 requires a prerequisite of GER 303 or GER 307.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 351. German Culture: 20th Century German. 3 Credits.

A continuation of the cultural history of Germany with a focus on philosophy, literature, and the arts: 20th century.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 351 requires prerequisite of GER 303 or GER 307.

GER 404. German Artists as Social Conscience. 3 Credits.

An examination of the political and social issues of contemporary Germany through an analysis of literary and cinematic texts. Discussion topics include the Holocaust, Nazism, the Second World War, the Economic Miracle, the Cold War, terrorism, the feminist and peace movements, atomic warfare, and German reunification and its aftermath. Taught in conjunction with EGE 404.

GER 405. A Survey of German Film. 3 Credits.

An analysis of German films from Expressionism to the present. Students shall examine the films in terms of their political and social context and as works of art. Directors include Fritz Lang, Murnau, Wiene, Fassbinder, Herzog, Schlondorff, von Trotta, and Wenders. Taught in conjunction with EGE 405.
Pre / Co requisites: GER 405 requires a prerequisite of any 300-level German course.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement, Writing Emphasis.
Distance education offering may be available.
Typically offered in Fall.

GER 408. Masterpieces of German Theatre. 3 Credits.

A study of the various trends of 20th-century German drama in the Federal Republic, the former GDR, Switzerland, and Austria, with a focus on expressionism, epic theater, and documentary theater.

GER 410. Independent Studies in Language and Literature. 3 Credits.

Special topics for advanced students only. This course may be take again for credit.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Repeatable for Credit.

GER 411. Seminar in German. 3 Credits.

Independent study and research for upper-division students. Topics announced annually by the German faculty.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Repeatable for Credit.

GER 413. Impact Of Holocaust On Lit And Film. 3 Credits.

Contact department for more information about this course.