Germanic Studies (GER)

Courses

GER 100. Introduction to Germanic Cultures and Literatures. 3 hours.

Introductory texts on culture and literature of German-speaking countries are studied in the context of their European and international significance. Course Information: No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

GER 101. Elementary German I. 4 hours.

Introductory exposure to language and culture of German-speaking countries with use of current materials. Course Information: This is a blended-online and classroom course. Use of computer and internet access is required. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): For students who have not studied German or placement as determined by test score.

GER 102. Elementary German II. 4 hours.

Continuation of GER 101. Increased exposure to language and culture of German-speaking countries, with use of current materials. Course Information: This is a blended-online and classroom course. Use of a computer and internet access is required. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in GER 101; or appropriate score on the department placement test.

GER 103. Intermediate German I. 4 hours.

Continuation of GER 102. Intensive exposure to the language and culture of German-speaking countries, with use of current materials. Course Information: This is a blended-online and classroom course. Use of computer and internet access is required. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in GER 102 or grade of C or better in GER 106; or appropriate score on the department placement test.

GER 104. Intermediate German II. 4 hours.

Continuation of GER 103. Exposure to multiple textual and aural genres and socio-cultural situations to familiarize students with contemporary life in the German-speaking world. Course Information: A blended-online and classroom course. Use of computer and internet access is required. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in GER 103; or appropriate score on the placement test.

GER 120. Study of Gender, Class, and Political Issues in German Texts. 3 hours.

Portrayal of relationships between men and women, classes, and political interest groups in German literature. Course Information: Same as GWS 120. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Readings, lectures, and discussions in English. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.

GER 122. Minority Perspectives in the Germanic Context. 3 hours.

Investigation of the challenges and/or opportunities of multicultural societies by examining in a socio-historical context texts created by members of Europe's ethnic, religious, and national minorities. Course Information: Same as JST 122 and RELS 122. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

GER 123. Introduction to Yiddish Culture and Literature. 3 hours.

Yiddish culture in Europe and the U.S. in socio-historical context. Focus on the role of Yiddish in conceptions of secular, cultural, religious, national Jewish identities. Course Information: Same as JST 123 and RELS 123. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

GER 125. Diaspora, Exile, Genocide: Aspects of the European Jewish Experience in Literature and Film. 3 hours.

Literature and films on European Jewish responses to anti-Semitism and persecution in a historical context to reveal the condition of post-Enlightenment German-speaking Jewish and Yiddish-speaking societies. Course Information: Same as JST 125 and RELS 127. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Taught in English. Past course, and World Cultures course.

GER 161. German Language Studies. 3-16 hours.

A four-week summer course taken in a German-speaking country. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 16 hours. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department.

GER 207. European Cinema. 3 hours.

An overview of the major developments in European cinema from the post-World II period to the present. Course Information: Same as LCSL 207 and SPAN 207. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 160. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

GER 211. Exploring German-Speaking Cultures. 3 hours.

Exploration of cultural and political aspects of German-speaking cultures. High-intermediate to advanced language training using authentic written, visual and oral texts. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 104 or the equivalent.

GER 212. Rural, Urban, Global: Germanic Geographies. 3 hours.

Exploration of cities and places within the German-speaking world along with their correlative cultures. High-intermediate to advanced language training using authentic written, visual and oral texts. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 104 or the equivalent.

GER 214. Conversational German through Popular Culture and Media. 3 hours.

Exploration of German popular culture and media using authentic materials. Intermediate to adv training in developing and refining effective communication skills by emphasizing pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, and monitoring grammatical errors. Course Information: May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 104 or the equivalent.

GER 215. Business Culture in German-Speaking Countries. 3 hours.

Oral and written communication in professional settings, including business and industry. Course Information: Previously listed as GER 315. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 104; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 214 or the equivalent.

GER 217. Introduction to German Cinema. 4 hours.

German cinema as communication and art; its production, reception and ideological perspectives. Course Information: Taught in English. No knowledge of German required. Area literature/culture. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

GER 219. Princesses and Storytellers: Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm and Their Cultural Afterlives. 3 hours.

Analyzes the structure, meaning, and function of fairy tales and their continuing impact on literature, film, and contemporary culture since the Brothers Grimm. Course Information: Taught in English. Area literature/culture. No knowledge of German required. Creative Arts course, and Past course.

GER 240. Classical German Thought from Kant to Nietzsche. 3 hours.

A survey of classical German thought from Kant through Nietzsche. Course Information: Area: literature/culture. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. No knowledge of German required. Students who intend to use GER 240 toward an undergraduate major or minor in the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Individual and Society course, and Past course.

GER 299. Becoming Transcultural: Study Abroad. 0-17 hours.

Provides credit for foreign study in German-speaking countries. Proposal for Study Abroad must have prior approval of Department of Germanic Studies and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Final determination of credit made upon completion of work. Course Information: May be repeated. May be repeated for a maximum of 34 hours of credit per academic year. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above; and approval of the department and approval of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In exceptional cases students may be permitted to take this course after the first freshman semester. Students must be in good academic standing.

GER 300. Writing in the Study of German. 1 hour.

Perfecting skills of written expression in English or German. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; or approval of the department. Must be taken concurrently with a course that receives credit toward a major offered by the Department of Germanic Studies, as specified in the Timetable. Restricted to majors and minors in the Department of Germanic Studies.

GER 302. Topics in German Cinema. 3 hours.

In-depth focus on a particular area of German cinema, such as Weimar cinema, Nazi cinema, queer cinema, etc. Topics vary. Course Information: Taught in English. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 102 or MOVI 102; or ENGL 120; or ENGL 121 or MOVI 121; or GER 217; or GER 207 or LCSL 207 or SPAN 207; or ENGL 232 or AH 232 or MOVI 232; or ENGL 233 or AH 233 or MOVI 233.

GER 310. Contemporary German Language, Culture and Society. 3 hours.

Focus on contemporary German culture and society through analysis of visual, written and oral texts. Advanced training in German language skills and in cultural competence. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211 or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 212 or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 214 or the equivalent.

GER 311. German Literature in a Global Context. 3 hours.

Exploration of German literature within a European and international context. Advanced training in German language skills. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 212; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 214 or the equivalent.

GER 315. Business Culture in German-Speaking Countries. 3 hours.

Practical vocabulary and oral and written communication for business and industry. Course Information: Area: language. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 212; or Credit or concurrent registration in GER 214 or the equivalent.

GER 318. Topics in Germanic Literatures and Cultures. 3 hours.

Prominent persons, genres, themes or movements in the areas of Germanic literature, ideas, and art. Topics vary. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours if topics vary. Taught in English.

GER 333. Topics in Genres in Germanic Studies. 3 hours.

The study of genres such as novel, drama, poetry, autobiography, philosophy; and critical reflections on the genre. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or GER 212 or the equivalent.

GER 398. Honors Project. 3 hours.

Independent study. Course Information: May not be taken in the term in which student expects to graduate. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 hours of courses toward the major, with a grade point average of at least 3.60 in these courses, and prior approval of the department. Restricted to majors in the Department of Germanic Studies.

GER 399. Independent Study. 1-3 hours.

Individual study under faculty direction for qualified students with special interests and needs not met by regularly offered courses. Course Information: May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major.

GER 401. Research in German Studies. 3 or 4 hours.

Capstone course with focus on research in a variety of areas under the umbrella of German Studies. Individual research projects and focused analysis of visual, written and oral texts. Advanced training in German language skills. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours for undergraduates, or 0 hours for graduate students. Majors and minors outside the Department of Germanic Studies may repeat this course to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or GER 212 or the equivalent. Recommended background: Credit or concurrent registration in GER 310.

GER 404. Yiddish for Reading Knowledge. 3 or 4 hours.

Preparation for the Graduate Proficiency Exam. Basic components of Yiddish grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Selected texts in the original language will be studied. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Does not satisfy the graduation requirement in foreign languages. Prerequisite(s): GER 211; or consent of the instructor or graduate standing.

GER 408. Introduction to Translation Theory. 3 or 4 hours.

The study of translation theory and its application to translating German texts of various types into English. Appropriate for students who want to become translators. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 212 or the equivalent, or graduate standing.

GER 411. The City as Cultural Focus. 3 or 4 hours.

Interdisciplinary study of urban culture with focus on German-speaking countries. Course Information: Same as CEES 411. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 1 time(s). Taught in English. No knowledge of German required. Students who intend to use GER 411 toward a degree offered by the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): For majors and minors in the Department of Germanic Studies only: GER 212 or the equivalent or consent of the instructor.

GER 415. Business Practices in German-Speaking Countries. 3 or 4 hours.

Extensive practice in the writing of business correspondence and formal presentations. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 215; or consent of the instructor.

GER 420. Germanic Cultural Studies I: Genres. 3 or 4 hours.

Concentration on a genre, with stress on cultural analysis and theoretical inquiry. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 2 time(s) if topics vary. Students who intend to use GER 420 toward a degree offered by the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 212 or consent of the instructor.

GER 437. Contemporary Germanic Literature. 3 or 4 hours.

Literature of the German-speaking world since World War II, with emphasis on current issues and recent critical approaches to literature. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 1 time(s) if topics vary. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or the equivalent, or graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

GER 438. The Faust Legend. 3 or 4 hours.

Discusses Goethe's Faust within the context of European and non-European literatures. Traces the origins, significance, and interpretation of the Faust figure. Course Information: Same as CEES 438. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Area: literature/culture.

GER 439. Gender and Cultural Production. 3 or 4 hours.

Issues of gender representation and gender politics examined through the use of theoretical texts or through the study of women authors. Course Information: Same as CEES 439 and GWS 439. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 1 time(s) if topics vary. Taught in English. Students who intend to use GER 439 toward a degree offered by the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 212 or consent of the instructor.

GER 448. Foundations of Second Language Teaching. 3 or 4 hours.

Provides an introduction to second language acquisition research and its implications for communicative language teaching. Emphasis is on creating activities to develop high school students' communicative abilities in speaking and listening. Course Information: Same as FR 448 and SPAN 448. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor and three courses at the 200 and 300 levels.

GER 449. Teaching Second Language Literacy and Cultural Awareness. 3 or 4 hours.

Examines the nature of literacy as a reciprocal relationship between readers, writers, texts and culture. Students learn the practical and theoretical foundations of classroom teaching of second language reading and writing skills. Course Information: Same as FR 449, and SPAN 449. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor and three courses at the 200 and 300 levels.

GER 461. German Abroad. 0-17 hours.

Taken in a German-speaking country. Lectures, seminars, and practical work in German language, literature, and civilization. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 34 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 104 or the equivalent, a 2.75 overall grade point average, a 3.00 grade point average in Germanic Studies, and approval of the department.

GER 487. Computer Assisted Language Learning. 3 or 4 hours.

An introduction to computer assisted language learning (CALL): the use of computer technology in second language reading and research. The effectiveness of CALL technology is assessed based on SLA theory and research studies. Course Information: Same as LING 487 and SPAN 487. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): LING 483 or CIE 483 or GER 448 or FR 448 or SPAN 448 or GER 449 or FR 449 or SPAN 449; or SPAN 502 or FR 502 or the equivalent; and senior standing or above.

GER 492. Internship in International Business. 0-12 hours.

Student placement in an international organization or firm in a German-speaking country or its U.S. subsidiary or division. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated with approval. Approval to repeat course granted by the department. Prerequisite(s): GER 211; and consent of the instructor and a GPA of 2.00. Recommended background: Concurrent registration in GER 493 or registration in GER 493 in the semester immediately following.

GER 493. Internship Seminar: Business. 1-4 hours.

Academic component of the internship experience. Studies in the field of the internship and further investigation of related topics. Course Information: May be repeated with approval. Approval to repeat course granted by the department. A maximum of 3 hours of credit may be applied toward an undergraduate degree offered by the Department of Germanic Studies, and a maximum of 4 hours of credit may be applied toward a graduate degree offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 and credit or concurrent registration in GER 492 and consent of the instructor and a grade point average of 2.00.

GER 494. Educational Practice with Seminar I. 6 hours.

The first half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Course Information: Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, and approval of the department. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Practice.

GER 495. Educational Practice with Seminar II. 6 hours.

The second half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Course Information: Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, credit or concurrent registration in GER 494, and approval of the department. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Conference and one Practice.

GER 500. German for Reading Knowledge. 4 hours.

Preparation for the Graduate Proficiency Exam. Basic components of German grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Selected texts in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Course Information: Previously listed as GER 400.

GER 513. Germanic Culture from the Enlightenment to the 1848 Revolution. 4 hours.

Representative works and authors studied in a cultural context. Course Information: May be repeated if topics vary.

GER 514. Germanic Culture from the Industrial Revolution to the Present. 4 hours.

Representative works and authors are studied in a cultural context. Course Information: May be repeated if topics vary.

GER 515. Film and Media Culture. 4 hours.

Explores the theory and history of film and other visual media. Emphasis will be given to the status of media texts in their cultural contexts, as well as to their function as components of modern social institutions. Course Information: Same as CEES 515. May be repeated. Taught in English. Students will be asked to watch films outside of class.

GER 531. Seminar in Special Topics. 4 hours.

In-depth study of a theme, genre or other element in Germanic literature and culture not confined to a single historical period. Topics vary. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 16 hours if topics vary.

GER 540. Topics in Contemporary Germanic Literature and Film. 4 hours.

Representations of German culture and society after 1989 in cinematic and related literary texts, studied in the context of major scholarly and public discussions. Course Information: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 hours of credit if topics vary.

GER 550. German Literary Studies: Texts, Contexts, Theories. 4 hours.

Theory and practice of the analysis of different genres of literary texts, different theoretical approaches to literature and discussion of literature in the context of literary historical and aesthetic perspectives. Course Information: May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Advanced German language proficiency.

GER 593. Internship Seminar: Academic Training. 4 hours.

Training in instruction of literature and culture courses at the college level. Students will be involved in a faculty-taught culture/literature course. Course Information: Restricted to graduate students in Germanic studies. Class Schedule Information: Students will attend the faculty-taught culture/literature class. To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Conference and one Discussion/Recitation.

GER 596. Independent Study for Graduate Students. 1-4 hours.

Independent study in the field of germanic studies. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

GER 598. Master's Thesis Research. 0-16 hours.

Independent research under faculty supervision on a topic approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Consent of supervising faculty member and committee approval.

GER 599. Ph.D. Thesis Research. 0-16 hours.

Independent research for the Ph.D. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department and consent of the instructor.