German (GRM)

Major Requirements

  1. Thirty-six credits in German language, civilization and literature beyond GRM 112.
  2. A minimum of one semester of approved international study in a German-speaking country.
  3. Completion with a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Diplom des Europa-Kollegs or their equivalents.
  4. Completion of ENG 200 with a passing grade.
  5. Write an acceptable reflective paper of moderate length or write an acceptable senior thesis and defend it in open forum.

Minor Requirements

  1. Twenty-four credits in German, which includes one upper-level course in civilization or literature.
  2. Completion with a passing grade of the Zertifikat Deutsch B1, the Zertifikat des Europa-Kollegs or their equivalents.
  3. A semester of international study in a German-speaking country is highly recommended.

Teaching Major Requirements

  1. Thirty-six credits in German language, civilization and literature, of which 34 credits must be beyond GRM 222.
  2. Language Proficiency must be demonstrated by passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Subject test in German; and completion with a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Diplom des Europa-Kollegs or their equivalents.
  3. A minimum of one semester of approved international study in a German-speaking country.
  4. Completion of ENG 225 and EDC 445f with a passing grade.
  5. Write an acceptable reflective paper of moderate length and defend it in open forum.

Teaching Minor Requirements

  1. Twenty-four credits in German, of which 23 credits must be beyond GRM 222.
  2. Language Proficiency must be demonstrated by passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Subject test in German; and completion with a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Diplom des Europa-Kollegs or their equivalents.
  3. A semester of international study in a German-speaking country is highly recommended.
  4. Completion of ENG 225 and EDC 445f with a passing grade.
  5. Additional course work beyond the minimum credit requirements is strongly recommended for those seeking certification in German for a minor area in education.

Four credits from GRM 112 or higher, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Humanities.

GRM 111-112. Beginning German I-II
4 credits each
GRM 111 or Permission for 112
Introduction to German. Primary objective: to enable students to begin early and meaningful communication in German by acquiring necessary basic skills. Emphasizes skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Secondary objective provides insight through participation in German culture and society. (Alma, Germany)
GRM 111A-112A. Beginning German IA-IIA
2 credits each
Placement
Second 7-week option for students who place beyond the beginning stages of Beginning German 111 or 112. Students join regular 111-112 courses at mid-term. (Alma)
GRM *200. German Masterpieces in Translation
International Awareness Course 4 credits
Reading and discussion of selected works of German literature in English translation, including Böll, Brecht, Fontane, Goethe, Grass, Hesse, Hochhuth, Hauptmann, Kafka, Th. Mann, Maron, Plenzdorf. Does not count toward major or minor. (Alma)
GRM *221. Language and Culture
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 112 or Placement
Continuation of GRM 112 with additional emphasis on reading and writing skills, augmented by detailed study of German contemporary culture. Extensive grammar review and intensive oral-aural practice. Class conducted in German. (Alma and Germany)
GRM *221A. Language and Culture
International Awareness Course 2 credits
Placement
Second 7-week option for students who place well beyond intermediate stages, but not into advanced German, or for students who desire intermediate review but who are unable to complete the normal intermediate course. Students join regular 221 course at mid-term. (Alma)
GRM *222. Introduction to Reading
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 221, Placement or Permission
Intensive reading and discussion of selected German material of medium difficulty designed to acquaint students with critical reading skills. Emphasis on reading skills, vocabulary acquisition, German syntax and expanded writing skills. (Alma and Germany)
GRM *231-*232. Composition and Conversation
International Awareness Course 4 credits each
GRM 112 or Permission
Systematic study of grammar and further development of speaking and writing skills through reading, discussion, intensive laboratory and classroom drill; 24 class periods a week. (Germany)
GRM *251-*252. Aspects of German Culture
International Awareness Course 4 credits each
GRM 112 or Permission
Intermediate level investigation of various aspects of contemporary German civilization and culture through speaking, writing, laboratory exercises, reading exercises and discussion. (Germany)
GRM *299. Readings in the Arts and Sciences
International Awareness Course 1-2 credits each
GRM 112 or Permission
Designed for students who wish to develop reading abilities in sciences and humanities. Specific readings reflect individual needs and interests. (Alma)
GRM *311-*312. Advanced Conversation and Composition
International Awareness Course 4 credits each
GRM 222 or Permission
Refinement and extension of language skills through consideration of contemporary issues and experiences from newspapers, magazines and audio-visual material. Expanded oral composition, extensive and intensive written composition. Review of selected grammatical problems. Laboratory exercises. (Alma and Germany)
GRM *313. Intensive Language Practice
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 222 or Permission
Review of selected grammatical problems; refinement of speaking, reading and writing skills through extensive classroom and laboratory practice. (Germany)
GRM *315. Selected 20th Century Authors
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 222 and 341
Representative authors of the 20th century such as Mann, Hesse, Grass and Böll. Problems of literary and human response to transition and flux of modern society are explored. (Alma)
GRM *316. The German Novelle
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 222 and 341
Investigation of the Novelle; its style, historical development and variants in German literature with examples drawn primarily from the 19th and 20th centuries. Readings from Kleist, Brentano, Storm, Stifter, Droste-Hülshoff, Hauptmann, Kafka and Mann. (Alma)
GRM *321. German Culture and Civilization I
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 222
In-depth investigation of modern German culture and civilization from Bismarck to emergence of National Socialism. (Alma)
GRM *322. German Culture and Civilization II
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 222
Continuation of German culture and civilization with emphasis on the present; in-depth consideration of current social-political problems and possible solutions; the place of a unified Germany in a new European political-economic order. (Alma)
GRM *341. Introduction to German Literature
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 311
Introduction to German literature through the study of form and genre. Stress on formal structuring of literature and the communicative process. Examples drawn from a wide range of periods, styles and milieux. Basic literary theory. (Alma)
GRM *350. Postwar German Short Stories
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 311 or Permission
The course, conducted in German, investigates the adoption of the genre "Kurzgeschichte" from American literature in postwar German literature and explores how West- and East-German writers, by means of this genre, come to terms with their pasts from 1950s through 1970s. (Alma)
GRM *401. Advanced Composition and Stylistics I
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 312 or Permission
Concentration on areas of composition and style, both oral and written, which pose difficulty for the advanced student; emphasis also given to advanced oral practice. (Germany)
GRM *402. Advanced Composition and Stylistics II
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 401
Continued oral and written investigation into advanced grammar with attention to individual problems defined in previous study. Reading of contemporary culture and literary sources. Advanced oral practice. (Germany)
GRM *403. Advanced Composition and Stylistics III
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 402
Extensive investigation into points of concern for advanced German students, stressing intensive and extensive reading, conversation and writing to allow mastery of stylistic difficulties and idiomatic expressions. Questions and abilities investigated beyond the normal range of German study. (Germany)
GRM *411. The Age of Goethe
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 341 or Permission
Study of literature and society surrounding the lifetime of Goethe, generally including the most significant authors and works from 1750-1825. (Alma)
GRM *412. Social Engagement in the 19th and 20th Centuries
International Awareness Course 4 credits
GRM 341 or Permission
Investigation of the significant ideas affecting the individual and position in society, the alteration of expectations, social forces and basic cultural changes as seen in works of authors such as Lenz, Büchner, Hebbel, Heine, Hauptmann, Kafka, Brecht, Grass, Böll, Hochhuth and Weiss. (Alma)
GRM *420. Advanced German for Teachers
International Awareness Course 2 credits
GRM major or minor; prior teaching experience
Intensive review combined with cultural exposure and a stay abroad. Intended for persons who already possess a good command of German, but especially for high school instructors. (Germany)
GRM *499. Independent Study
International Awareness Course 4 credits
Senior Standing and Permission
GRM *500. Senior Thesis
Quill CourseInternational Awareness Course 4 credits
Permission