Germanic Studies - GER

The information below lists courses approved in this subject area effective Fall 2015. Not all courses will necessarily be offered these terms. Please consult the Schedule of Classes for a listing of courses offered for a specific term.

500-level courses require graduate standing.

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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. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.

101 Elementary German I
4 hours. Introductory exposure to language and culture of German-speaking countries with use of current materials. Credit is not given for GER 101 if the student has credit for GER 106. 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.

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. Credit is not given for GER 102 if the student has credit for GER 106. 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.

103 Intermediate German I
4 hours. Continuation of GER 102 or GER 106. Intensive exposure to the language and culture of German-speaking countries, with use of current materials. Credit is not given for GER 103 if the student has credit for GER 107. 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.

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. Credit is not given for GER 104 if the student has credit for GER 107. 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.

106 Intensive Elementary German
8 hours. Accelerated course, including intensive exposure to language and culture of German-speaking countries with use of current materials. Credit is not given for GER 106 if the student has credit for GER 101 or GER 102. Equivalent to Ger 101 and Ger 102 combined. 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.

107 Intensive Intermediate German
8 hours. Accelerated course, including intensive exposure to language and culture of German-speaking countries, with use of current materials. Credit is not given for GER 107 if the student has credit for GER 103 or GER 104. Equivalent to GER 103 and GER 104 combined. 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. Recommended background: Grade of B or better in GER 102 or grade of B or better in GER 106.

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. 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, and World Cultures course.

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. 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, and World Cultures course.

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. Same as JST 123. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Lectures, discussion, and readings in English. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.

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. Same as JST 125. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Taught in English. Past, and World Cultures course.

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

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

211 Introduction to Advanced Language Study
3 hours. Advanced training on effective communication, reading, and writing strategies based on authentic written and oral texts. Emphasis on refining accuracy of expression and comprehension of complex syntactic structures. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 104 or GER 107 or the equivalent.

212 Introduction to the Study of Literary Texts
3 hours. Exploration of major authors and themes in German literature. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 104; or GER 107 or the equivalent.

214 German Conversation and Pronunciation
3 hours. Focuses on developing and refining effective communication skills by emphasizing pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, and monitoring grammatical errors. May be repeated. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 104 or GER 107 or the equivalent.

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

218 Opera in Germanic Cultures: From Mozart to Berg
3 hours. Major social and cultural developments and trends in the history of opera in Germany and Austria with emphasis on the development of European national identities. Taught in English. No knowledge of German required. Students who intend to use GER 218 toward an undergraduate major or minor in the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): Any student interested in the topic may register. For majors and minors in the Department of Germanic Studies only: GER 211 or GER 212. Creative Arts, and Past course.

219 Vikings and Wizards: Northern Myth and Fairy Tales in Western Culture
3 hours. Investigation of fairy tales and myths and their contribution to societal structure. The focus is on the meaning and influence of Germanic myths and fairy tales. Taught in English. Area literature/culture. No knowledge of German required. Students who intend to use GER 219 toward an undergraduate major or minor in the Department of Germanic Studies will do assignments in German. Creative Arts, and Past course.

240 Classical German Thought from Kant to Nietzsche
3 hours. A survey of classical German thought from Kant through Nietzsche. 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, and Past course.

290 Introduction to Germanic Literature
3 hours. Focus on texts of different time periods and genres, with emphasis on developing techniques for analyzing literature in its historical context. Area: literature/culture. Taught in German. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or GER 212 or consent of the instructor.

299 Germanic Study Abroad
0 TO 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. 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.

300 Writing in the Study of German
1 hours. Perfecting skills of written self-expression in English. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and approval of the department. Must be taken concurrently with a literature or culture 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.

310 Practice in German Language Skills
3 hours. Develops advanced communicative language skills. May be repeated. Only majors and minors outside the Department of Germanic Studies may repeat this course for a maximum of 6 hours of credit. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211; or credit or concurrent registration in GER 212 or the equivalent.

311 Contemporary Germanic Culture and Society
3 hours. Exploring texts, films, and other media sources in the areas of politics, science, technology, arts, commerce, and popular culture in German-speaking countries. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in GER 211; or credit or concurrent registration in GER 212 or the equivalent.

315 Business German I
3 hours. Practical vocabulary and oral and written communication for business and industry. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or GER 212 or the equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

316 Periods of Germanic Literature and Culture
3 hours. The study of literary works and other texts representative of a historical period. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term. Taught in English. Area:literature/culture.

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. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours if topics vary. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 211 or GER 212 or the equivalent.

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. 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.

398 Honors Project
3 hours. Independent study. 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.

399 Independent Study
1 TO 3 hours. Individual study under faculty direction for qualified students with special interests and needs not met by regularly offered courses. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

400 German for Reading Knowledge
3 OR 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. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Credit may not be applied toward a degree or minor offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Does not satisfy the graduation requirement in foreign languages.

401 Advanced Practice in German Language Skills
3 OR 4 hours. Communicative use of German techniques for understanding written and spoken texts, practicing conversation and writing texts such as essays, compositions, letters, and email. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Only majors and minors outside the Department of Germanic Studies may repeat this course for a maximum of 6 hours of credit. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 212. or the equivalent. Recommended background: Credit or concurrent registration in GER 310.

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. 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.

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. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 212 or the equivalent, or graduate standing.

411 The City as Cultural Focus
3 OR 4 hours. Interdisciplinary study of urban culture with focus on German-speaking countries. 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.

415 Business German II
3 OR 4 hours. Extensive practice in the writing of business correspondence and formal presentations.3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Area: language. Prerequisite(s): GER 315 or consent of the instructor.

420 Germanic Cultural Studies I: Genres
3 OR 4 hours. Concentration on a genre, with stress on cultural analysis and theoretical inquiry. 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.

421 Germanic Cultural Studies II: Authors, Movements, Periods
3 OR 4 hours. Critical analysis of texts in the biographical, social, cultural, and historical context. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 2 time(s) if topics vary. Students who intend to use GER 421 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.

422 Germanic Cultural Studies III: Themes
3 OR 4 hours. Explores themes in German-speaking societies, such as the family, xenophobia, crime, and science, with stress on literary analysis and interpretation. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 2 time(s) if topics vary. Students who intend to use GER 422 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.

430 Classical German Philosophy
3 OR 4 hours. Introduction to German philosophy and intellectual history through the critical analysis of major authors and texts. Same as CEES 430. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): One 300-level course in Germanic Studies or consent of the instructor.

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. 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.

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. Same as CEES 438. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Area: literature/culture.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

450 Business Operations in German-Speaking Countries
3 OR 4 hours. The political, cultural, historical, and economic environment in which business operates in the German-speaking countries; the effects of this environment on international business. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Knowledge of German not required.

461 German Abroad
0 TO 17 hours. Taken in a German-speaking country. Lectures, seminars, and practical work in German language, literature, and civilization. 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.

470 Exploring the Field of Germanic Studies
3 OR 4 hours. Team-taught. Research in film studies, gender studies, Jewish culture, minorities, literary studies, intellectual history, applied linguistics in Germanic Studies. Each unit taught by a different faculty member from Department of Germanic Studies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate students must obtain approval of the department.

480 Hegel Studies
3 OR 4 hours. Studies in the philosophy of Hegel, including principal texts (e.g. Phenomenology), or problems (e.g. critique of metaphysics) or comparative studies (e.g. Hegel's critique of Kant). 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Taught in English. Area: literature/culture. Prerequisite(s): GER 430; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: PHIL 224 or PHIL 425.

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. 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.

492 Internship in International Business
0 TO 12 hours. Student placement in an international organization or firm in a German-speaking country or its U.S. subsidiary or division. 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.

493 Internship Seminar: Business
1 TO 4 hours. Academic component of the internship experience. Studies in the field of the internship and further investigation of related topics. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

513 Germanic Culture from the Enlightenment to the 1848 Revolution
4 hours. Representative works and authors studied in a cultural context. May be repeated if topics vary.

514 Germanic Culture from the Industrial Revolution to the Present
4 hours. Representative works and authors are studied in a cultural context. May be repeated if topics vary.

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. Same as CEES 515. Taught in English. Students will be asked to watch films outside of class.

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. May be repeated to a maximum of 16 hours if topics vary.

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. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 hours of credit if topics vary.

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. Prerequisite(s): Advanced German language proficiency.

572 The Role of Reading in Second Language Acquisition
4 hours. Analyzes current theoretical and research directions in text comprehension processes as well as reading as a source of input for second language acquisition. Taught in English.

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. Restricted to graduate students in Germanic studies.

596 Independent Study for Graduate Students
1 TO 4 hours. Independent study in the field of germanic studies. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

598 Master's Thesis Research
0 TO 16 hours. Independent research under faculty supervision on a topic approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Consent of supervising faculty member and committee approval.

599 Ph.D. Thesis Research
0 TO 16 hours. Independent research for the Ph.D. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department and consent of the instructor.

Information provided by the Office of Programs and Academic Assessment.

This listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. Every attempt is made to provide the most current and correct information. Courses listed here are subject to change without advance notice. Courses are not necessarily offered every term or year. Individual departments or units should be consulted for information regarding frequency of course offerings.