German
Professor Susan Schneibel, Chair, Division of Languages and Literature
The Minor in German consists of at least 15 credit hours above the 100-level, including German 201-202, 225 and six credit hours earned in an approved study abroad program. German 201-202, 225 or the equivalents, are prerequisites for students who intend to complete their German Minor by pursuing an approved course of study abroad.
Course Descriptions
- 110. Elementary German I
- 4 credit hours
- An introduction to German designed to give students the linguistic, cultural, and geographical background necessary to provide for their basic needs when they travel to a German-speaking country. Emphasis is also given to conversing in basic German within well-defined contexts, to reading short passages, and to writing simple sentences in German. Cultural concepts, grammatical structures, and vocabulary introduced in class are reinforced in small-group language practice sessions.
- 120. Elementary German II
- 4 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or German 110
- A sequel to German 110, designed to increase knowledge of the basic language, culture, and geography of the Germanic world. Emphasis is also given to increasing students’ capacity to converse, read, and write in German. Cultural concepts, grammatical structures, and vocabulary introduced in class are reinforced in small-group language practice sessions.
- 201. Intermediate German I
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or German 120
- A review and expansion of the grammar, culture, and vocabulary studied in elementary German. Linguistic tasks studied include describing, narrating, and giving opinions and information on a variety of topics. Emphasis is also given to strengthening reading and writing skills through a study of authentic Germanic texts, which may be drawn from the following media: film, newspapers, popular music, magazines, television, and literary prose and verse.
- 202. Intermediate German II
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or German 201
- A sequel to German 201, designed to increase students’ facility to speak and write sentences of greater structural sophistication that are logically connected in paragraph-length discourse. Increased emphasis is placed on communicating in past, future, and hypothetical situations. Study of authentic Germanic texts from various media is continued.
- 225. Intermediate Conversation and Composition 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: German 201 or the equivalent
- A course designed to help students improve oral and written proficiency in German, building on grammar and idioms studies in previous courses. Basic conversational skills are stressed. This course is required for all students who plan, as part of the Minor in German, to study abroad in a German-speaking country.
- 343. Practicum
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: German 202 or equivalent
- On- or off-campus experience that provides a linguistic and cultural opportunity for students who wish to acquire practical knowledge of German beyond the intermediate level.
