Requirements & Courses
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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.
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Major Requirements
Thirty-six credits at the 200-level or above which must include:
- Courses in German language, civilization and literature.
- Successful completion of WLC 101.
- Students should be aware that a maximum of 6 credits (including WLC 101) may be taken wherein the primary language of instruction is English; courses must be pre-approved by the WLC department.
- Successful completion of English cognate: 4 credits from ENG 201, ENG 202, ENG 220, or ENG 320.
- A minimum of one semester of approved international study in a German-speaking country.
- 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 perform at the 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).
- Students will write and defend in open forum an acceptable paper of moderate length reflecting on their study of German, study abroad experience and how the role of language and culture combines with the mission of a liberal arts education.
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Minor Requirements
Twenty-six credits, which must include:
- At least one upper-level course in civilization or literature.
- Successful completion of WLC 101.
- Study in a German-speaking country is highly recommended.
- Language Proficiency must be demonstrated by taking an approved external proficiency exam. Minors are expected to have a passing grade of Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or its equivalent, or perform at the Intermediate-High proficiency level (as averaged across the four skills listening, speaking, reading and writing) according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
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Four credits from GRM 112 or higher, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Humanities.
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Department Honors may be achieved in the World Languages and Cultures Department by:
- Having a 3.5 GPA in all classes applied to the Major.
- Performing beyond minimum requirements on the Language Exam portion of the Departmental Comprehensive Evaluation, and
- Presenting a senior thesis of honors caliber.
Advanced Credit in a second language may be earned by:
- Scoring at the 4 level or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
- Successfully completing the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) HL exam with a score of 5.
Courses
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GRM111.Beginning German I4 creditsIntroduction 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)
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GRM112.Beginning German II4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-111 or PlacementIntroduction 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)
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GRM200.German Masterpieces4 creditsReading and discussion of selected works of German literature in English translation, including B?ll, Brecht, Goethe, Grass, Hesse, Kafka, Peter Schneider, Maron and Plenzdorf. Does not count toward major or minor. (Alma)
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GRM221.Language and Culture4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-112 or placementContinuation 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)
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GRM222.Introduction to Reading4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-221, Placement or PermissionIntensive 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)
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GRM231.Composition and Conversation I4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-112 or PermissionSystematic study of grammar and further development of speaking and writing skills through reading, discussion, intensive classroom drill through culture. (Germany)
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GRM232.Composition and Conversation II4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-112 or PermissionSystematic study of grammar and further development of speaking and writing skills through reading, discussion, intensive classroom drill through culture. (Germany)
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GRM251.Aspects of German Culture I4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-112 or PermissionIntermediate level investigation of various historic aspects of contemporary German civilization and culture through speaking, writing, reading exercises, discussion and excursions. (Germany)
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GRM252.Aspects of German Culture II4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-112 or PermissionIntermediate level investigation of various historic aspects of contemporary German civilization and culture through speaking, writing, reading exercises, discussion and excursions. (Germany)
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GRM299.Readings in the Arts and Sciences1 creditPrerequisite: GRM-112 or PermissionDesigned for students who wish to develop reading abilities in sciences and humanities. Specific readings reflect individual needs and interests. (Alma)
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GRM311.Advanced Conversation and Composition I4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or permissionRefinement and extension of language skills through consideration of contemporary issues and experiences from internet, newspapers, magazines and audio-visual materials. Expanded oral conversation, extensive and intensive written composition. Review of selected grammatical problems. (Alma and Germany)
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GRM312.Advanced Conversation and Composition II4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionRefinement and extension of language skills through consideration of contemporary issues and experiences from internet, newspapers, magazines and audio-visual materials. Expanded oral conversation, extensive and intensive written composition. Review of selected grammatical problems. (Alma and Germany)
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GRM313.Intensive Language Practice4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionReview of selected grammatical problems; refinement of speaking, reading and writing skills through extensive classroom practice and cultural excursions. (Germany)
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GRM315.Selected 20th Century Authors4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionRepresentative authors of the 20th century such as Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich B?ll, Bertolt Brecht, G?nter Grass, Ingeborg Bachmann, Christa Wolf and Monika Maron. Problems of literary and human response to transition and flux of modern society are explored. (Alma)
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GRM316.The German Novelle4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionInvestigation 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-H?lshoff, Kafka and Mann. (Alma)
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GRM321.In Search of German Identities4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionIn-depth investigation of modern German culture and civilization from Bismarck to emergence of National Socialism. (Alma)
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GRM322.Foundations of Contemp Germany4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-222 or PermissionContinuation 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)
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GRM341.Introduction to German Literature4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-311 or PermissionIntroduction 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)
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GRM350.Postwar German Short Stories4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-311 or PermissionThe 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)
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GRM399.GRM Independent2-4 creditsIndependent study on selected topics in German.
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GRM401.Advanced Composition and Stylistics I4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-312 or PermissionConcentration on areas of composition and style, both oral and written, which pose difficulty for advanced students; emphasis also given to advanced oral practice. (Germany)
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GRM402.Advanced Composition and Stylistics II4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-401Continued 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)
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GRM403.Advanced Composition and Stylistics III4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-402Extensive 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)
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GRM411.The Age of Goethe4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-341 or PermissionStudy of literature and society surrounding the lifetime of Goethe, generally including the most significant authors and works from 1750-1825.
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GRM412.Social Engagement in 19th & 20th Century4 creditsPrerequisite: GRM-341 or PermissionInvestigation 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, B?chner, Hebbel, Heine, Hauptmann, Kafka, Brecht, Grass, B?ll, Hochhuth, Weiss and Maron. (Alma)
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GRM420.Advanced German for Teachers2 creditsIntensive 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.
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GRM499.German Independent Study4 creditsPrerequisite: Senior Standing; Permission
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GRM500.Senior Thesis4 creditsPrerequisite: Permission