German

Requirements & Courses

  • German Program:

    German courses, as designated by the three-letter prefix GRM, are taught in German.

    World Languages and Cultures courses, as designated by the three-letter prefix WLC, are taught in English

     

    Courses taught internationally may have a different emphasis from those offered on campus.

     

    Department Honors

    Students may achieve honors in the World Languages and Cultures Department by:

    1. Having a 3.5 GPA in all classes applied to the Major.
    2. Performing beyond minimum requirements on the Language Exam portion of the Departmental Comprehensive Evaluation, and
    3. Presenting a senior thesis of honors caliber.

     

    Advanced Credit

    Advanced Credit in a second language may be earned by:

    1. Scoring at the 4 level or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
    2. Successfully completing the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) HL exam with a score of 5.
  • Major Requirements

     

    1. Thirty-six credits at the 200-level or above which must include:
      1. Courses in German language, civilization and literature.
      2. Successful completion of WLC 101.
      3. Up to 6 credits (including WLC 101) of courses pre-approved by the WLC department in which the primary language of instruction is English.
      4. A minimum of one semester of approved international study in a German-speaking country.
    2. Successful completion of English cognate: 4 credits from ENG 201, ENG 202, ENG 220, or ENG 320.
    3. Language Proficiency must be demonstrated by taking an approved external proficiency exam. Majors are expected to have a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat B2 or its equivalent or Advanced-Low proficiency level as averaged across the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

    Write and defend in open forum an acceptable paper of moderate length reflecting on their study of German, their study abroad experience and how they combine with the mission of a liberal arts education.

  • Minor Requirements

    Twenty-six credits, which must include:

    1. At least one upper-level course in civilization or literature.
    2. Successful completion of WLC 101.
    3. Study in a German-speaking country is highly recommended.
    4. Language Proficiency must be demonstrated by taking an approved external proficiency exam. Majors are expected to have a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or its equivalent or Intermediate-High proficiency level as averaged across the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

     

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

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

Courses

  • GRM
    111
    .
    Beginning German I
    4 credits
    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. Laboratory. (Alma, Germany)
  • GRM
    112
    .
    Beginning German II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-111 or Placement
    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. Laboratory. (Alma, Germany)
  • GRM
    200
    .
    German Masterpieces
    4 credits
    Reading and discussion of selected works of German literature in English translation, including Böll, Brecht, Goethe, Grass, Hesse, Kafka, Peter Schneider, Maron and Plenzdorf. Does not count toward major or minor. (Alma)
  • GRM
    221
    .
    Language and Culture
    4 credits
    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. Laboratory. (Alma and Germany)
  • GRM
    222
    .
    Introduction to Reading
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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. Laboratory. (Alma and Germany)
  • GRM
    231
    .
    Composition and Conversation I
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-112 or Permission
    Systematic study of grammar and further development of speaking and writing skills through reading, discussion, intensive classroom drill through culture. (Germany)
  • GRM
    232
    .
    Composition and Conversation II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-112 or Permission
    Systematic study of grammar and further development of speaking and writing skills through reading, discussion, intensive classroom drill through culture. (Germany)
  • GRM
    251
    .
    Aspects of German Culture I
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-112 or Permission
    Intermediate level investigation of various historic aspects of contemporary German civilization and culture through speaking, writing, reading exercises, discussion and excursions. (Germany)
  • GRM
    252
    .
    Aspects of German Culture II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-112 or Permission
    Intermediate level investigation of various historic aspects of contemporary German civilization and culture through speaking, writing, reading exercises, discussion and excursions. (Germany)
  • GRM
    299
    .
    Readings in the Arts and Sciences
    1 credit
    Prerequisite: 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
    .
    Advanced Conversation and Composition I
    4 credits
    Refinement and extension of language skills through consideration of contemporary issues and experiences from internet, newspapers, magazines and audio-visual materials. Expanded oral composition, extensive and intensive written composition. Review of selected grammatical problems. (Alma and Germany)
  • GRM
    312
    .
    Advanced Conversation and Composition II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    Refinement and extension of language skills through consideration of contemporary issues and experiences from internet, newspapers, magazines and audio-visual materials. Expanded oral composition, extensive and intensive written composition. Review of selected grammatical problems. (Alma and Germany)
  • GRM
    313
    .
    Intensive Language Practice
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    Review of selected grammatical problems; refinement of speaking, reading and writing skills through extensive classroom practice and cultural excursions. (Germany)
  • GRM
    315
    .
    Selected 20th Century Authors
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    Representative authors of the 20th century such as Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, Bertolt Brecht, Günter Grass, Ingeborg Bachmann, Christa Wolf and Monika Maron. Problems of literary and human response to transition and flux of modern society are explored. (Alma)
  • GRM
    316
    .
    The German Novelle
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    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, Tieck, Storm, Stifter, Droste-Hülshoff, Kafka and Mann. (Alma)
  • GRM
    321
    .
    In Search of German Identities
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    In-depth investigation of modern German culture and civilization from Bismarck to emergence of National Socialism. (Alma)
  • GRM
    322
    .
    Foundations of Contemp Germany
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-222 or Permission
    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
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-311 or Permission
    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
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    399
    .
    GRM Independent
    2-4 credits
    Independent study on selected topics in German.
  • GRM
    401
    .
    Advanced Composition and Stylistics I
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: GRM-312 or Permission
    Concentration on areas of composition and style, both oral and written, which pose difficulty for advanced students; emphasis also given to advanced oral practice. (Germany)
  • GRM
    402
    .
    Advanced Composition and Stylistics II
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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.
  • GRM
    412
    .
    Social Engagement in 19th & 20th Century
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: 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, Weiss and Maron. (Alma)
  • GRM
    420
    .
    Advanced German for Teachers
    2 credits
    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); requires GRM major or minor; prior teaching experience.
  • GRM
    499
    .
    German Independent Study
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Senior Standing; Permission
  • GRM
    500
    .
    Senior Thesis
    4 credits
    Prerequisite: Permission