German (GRMN)

GRMN 1110 Elementary German I    3 Credits

Designed for students with no prior experience with German or whose placement scores are in the range for this course level. This course, the first of a two-semester sequence, teaches the essentials of pronunciation, structure, and usage, allowing students to acquire the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language cultures are explored through a variety of media. Students attend three classes per week and do mandatory online work determined by the instructor. Previously GM 0110.

GRMN 1111 Elementary German II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 1110.

This course, a continuation of GRMN 1110, teaches the essentials of pronunciation, structure, and usage, allowing students to acquire the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language cultures are explored through a variety of media. Students attend three classes per week and do mandatory online work determined by the instructor. Previously GM 0111.

GRMN 2210 Intermediate German I    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 1111.

This course, the first of a two-semester sequence, prepares students to continue the study of language on a more advanced level, and includes review of essential points of grammar, vocabulary building, and regular practice in speaking and writing. The language cultures are explored through a wide variety of materials (literary texts, press articles, films, etc). Students attend three classes per week and do mandatory online work determined by the instructor. Previously GM 0210.

GRMN 2211 Intermediate German II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 2210.

This course, a continuation of GRMN 2210, prepares students to continue the study of language on a more advanced level, and includes review of essential points of grammar, vocabulary building, and regular practice in speaking and writing. The language cultures are explored through a wide variety of materials (literary texts, press articles, films, etc). Students attend three classes per week and do mandatory online work determined by the instructor. Previously GM 0211.

GRMN 2220 Topics in Language and Culture    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 2211.

This course improves proficiency in written and oral expression by focusing on particular topics in German language and culture. Students develop advanced writing and speaking skills while concentrating on grammar, style, and appropriateness. Weekly compositions, based primarily on the genres studies (short story, theater, memoir, essay) allow students to identify and correct grammatical mistakes. Students present speeches in class and conduct situational dramas such as job interviews, television reporting, courtroom trials, debates in German. Films and various cultural artifacts (comic strips, proverbs, songs) familiarize students with idiomatic German. Previously GM 0220.

GRMN 3240 German Children’s + Youth Literature    3 Credits

Attributes: MELT Magis Core Exploration: Literature

This course focuses on the representation of childhood in juvenile literature in various genres (songs, stories, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, novels). The readings encompass traditional children’s literature, and contemporary works dealing with similar themes plus issues of identity and self-realization. We will read and reflect on literary and cultural forms of children’s stories and fairy tales written by authors such as Grimm, Busch, Hoffmann, Kästner and Hartling. Language and writing skills will be enhanced through detailed study of the texts as well as producing a storybook for children in German. The class is taught in German.

GRMN 3241 German Cinema    3 Credits

Attributes: MELT Magis Core Exploration: Literature

Prerequisite: GRMN 2211.

German filmmakers are known for their artistic expression and reaction to social and political trends that concern the country and its citizens. This course deals with major developments of German cinema throughout the twentieth century and will give students an overview of major movements, important directors, genres, and actors in the history of German film, as well as socio-political matters facing Weimar and Nazi Germany, post-war West and East German states, and unified Germany. Students will be introduced to the tools of film analysis, cinematic codes, and techniques such as narration, mise-en-scène, cinematography, sound, editing, and how these affect the viewer. Previously GM 0241.

GRMN 3251 German Civilization and Culture I    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 2211.

This course examines the main currents of German culture and civilization through lectures, films, the Internet, and literary and cultural readings. Students complete frequent oral and written reports. Conducted in German, this course requires frequent oral and written reports. Previously GM 0251.

GRMN 3252 German Civilization and Culture II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: GRMN 2211.

This course examines German immigration, especially to the United States, considering in-depth the German-American experience through lectures, films, the Internet, and literary and cultural readings. Conducted in English, this course requires frequent oral and written reports. Previously GM 0252.

GRMN 3262 Survey of German Literature    3 Credits

Attributes: MELT Magis Core Exploration: Literature

This course offers an overview of German works and literary movements from the Middle Ages to 1945, providing students with the fundamentals of literary analysis in the genres of poetry, drama, novellas, novels, short stories, and film. The course requires frequent oral and written reports. Previously GM 0262.

GRMN 3980 Internship    3 Credits

The internship program gives students first-hand experience in the fields of translation, interpretation, cataloging, public relations, advertising, teaching, etc., in the language of their specialization. Department members, who agree to guide the endeavor, supervise student work. When required by a faculty supervisor, an evaluation of student interns may be required from the institution where students work. The student's work should demand no less than one full day per week, or its equivalent. Previously GM 0377-0378.

GRMN 3990 Independent Study    3 Credits

Students undertake readings and studies in a specialized area of German under the direction of a staff member. Designed to fill the special needs of specific students, this course is offered at the discretion of the department chair. Enrollment by permission only. Previously GM 0381-0382.

GRMN 4999 Capstone Seminar    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Majors in German participate in an interdisciplinary seminar in the spring of their senior year. The focus of this seminar varies according to the professor, but possible topics include European Film, the Grand Tour, Immigration in Europe, Capital Cities, Language Teaching and Technology, Europe and America. Students research their capstone papers in the target language and present the final work in English and German. The instructor may, in some cases, evaluate work in the target language in consultation with colleagues in the area of expertise in the department. Seminar is conducted in English. Previously GM 0399.