German (GER)

GER 1410. Beginning German I.

This course is a beginning level German course designed for students with little or no previous experience in the language. It emphasizes developing basic communication skills through accurate German pronunciation, essential vocabulary, and foundational grammar structures presented within a rich cultural framework. Students build communicative competence by engaging in integrated reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities reflecting everyday situations and diverse German-speaking communities. These activities prepare students to participate in simple, real-world interactions.

GER 1420. Beginning German II.

This course is the second semester of beginner level German and builds on the competencies introduced in the first term. It develops students’ language skills using vocabulary and grammar structures presented within a range of ethnic, cultural, ideological, and national contexts. Students further practice the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to communicate in German about everyday topics and to engage with information about German-speaking societies and their cultural expressions. Prerequisite: GER 1410 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 2310. Intermediate German I.

This course is a third-semester German course that continues the development and review of all language skills in a German-language framework. It supports multilingual literacy through the use and analysis of German to strengthen linguistic competence (aspect, mood, compound tenses, passive voice), communication and interactional competence (pragmatics, cultural perspectives), and metalinguistic competence (analysis of oral and written texts, dialectal variation). Students use the target language in varied interactive settings to build understanding of German-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: GER 1420 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 2320. Intermediate German II.

This course is a fourth-semester German course that reinforces and expands students’ vocabulary, grammar structures, and their appropriate use in a range of contexts. It emphasizes engagement with culturally authentic texts to strengthen reading and writing skills such as interpreting texts, identifying main ideas and themes, and using context to understand unfamiliar vocabulary. Oral skills in speaking and listening are further developed through presentational communication. This course completes a four-semester language sequence requirement. Prerequisite: GER 2310 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 3304C. German Cinema in English.

This course examines German cinema from the early twentieth century to the present. Students acquire fundamental skills in film analysis, learning how to interpret cinematic form (e.g. shot size, editing, camera movement, sound), evaluate differences in style and genre, and analyze films in relation to their cultural, historical, and political contexts. Periods covered might include, but are not limited to, Weimar cinema, Third Reich cinema, postwar cinema, East German cinema, the New German Cinema, and the Berlin School. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis.

GER 3305. German on the Stage.

This course integrates German language learning with theatrical performance. Students work with dramatic texts, monologues, and scenes to develop pronunciation, intonation, expressive speech, and physical communication in German. Emphasizing active participation, the course includes rehearsals, performances, and collaborative scene work. Students also examine cultural and historical contexts of German drama, along with the relationship between language use and artistic expression. Through performance-based learning, students strengthen oral fluency and intercultural communication skills. The course may be repeated twice with different emphases. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better. Corequisite: GER 3310 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 3308. German Translation.

This course focuses on building students’ ability to read and understand German texts from a range of genres through guided translation practice. Students work closely with written materials to examine grammatical structures, vocabulary usage, and sentence-level organization, as well as broader textual patterns. Attention is given to accuracy and clarity in translation, appropriate stylistic choices, and conventions of different text types. The course also examines the cultural contexts in which texts are produced and read, supporting evidence-based interpretation of meaning in German-language sources. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

GER 3310. German Phonetics in Action.

This course on German phonetics emphasizes pronunciation in practical contexts. Students develop accurate articulation of German sounds, stress patterns, and intonation through guided listening, repetition, and structured speaking activities. The course combines foundational phonetic concepts with applied pronunciation practice, enabling students to improve intelligibility, oral fluency, and listening comprehension. By focusing on pronunciation in authentic communicative situations, the course supports effective spoken interaction in academic, professional, and everyday German-speaking contexts. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

GER 3320. Let’s Talk: German Communication.

This course provides extensive practice in speaking German while strengthening students’ command of advanced grammatical structures. Through guided communicative activities and focused language tasks, students develop greater accuracy, fluency, and stylistic control in oral expression. Emphasis is placed on applying complex grammar in meaningful contexts, refining language choices, and improving overall clarity and effectiveness. The course supports students in moving beyond basic proficiency toward more advanced, nuanced communication appropriate for academic, professional, and intercultural settings. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 3341. Clear Grammar for Confident German.

This course reviews foundational German grammar while expanding learners’ skills at the intermediate to advanced level. Through structured review and guided practice, students consolidate key grammatical structures, address common problem areas, and develop greater control over complex forms. Emphasis is placed on accuracy and application of grammar in a range of contexts. The course supports development of reading, writing, and speaking skills and prepares students for advanced coursework and varied communication settings. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

GER 3351. German Cinema.

This course, taught in German, examines German cinema in relation to social, cultural, and political developments in German history. Students acquire fundamental tools for film analysis, learning how to interpret cinematic form (e.g., shot size, editing, camera movement, sound), evaluate differences in style and genre, and analyze films in relation to their historical contexts. Periods covered might include, but are not limited to, Third Reich cinema, postwar cinema, East German cinema, the New German Cinema, and the Berlin School. Students continue to develop speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills in German. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "C" or better.

GER 3370. German in Context: Politics, History, and Society.

This course examines contemporary politics, history, and society in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Students analyze key historical developments, political institutions, social debates, and cultural trends shaping the region today. Using authentic German-language sources such as media texts and case studies, the course emphasizes critical reading, discussion, and comparative analysis. Conducted in German at an appropriate proficiency level, the course strengthens language skills while fostering informed intercultural understanding. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 3380. German for International Business.

This course introduces students to the economic structures of Germany’s federal states and examines key sectors of the German economy, including business and tourism. Students develop familiarity with the language, conventions, and professional standards of the German business environment, with attention to real-world communication practices. The course also explores Germany’s role within the European Community and its influence on regional and global markets. Taught in English, the course adopts an integrated cultural and linguistic approach that provides practical insights into the economic contexts shaping contemporary German-speaking societies. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. (MULT).

GER 3381. German Business Communication.

This course emphasizes practical, career-oriented competencies essential for a global professional career in German-language settings. Students develop skills in conducting job searches, preparing targeted application materials, and creating a professional résumé. The course also focuses on refining interview techniques, effective workplace communication, and professional etiquette in German-speaking contexts. Students analyze videos, readings, ads, and statistics, deliver persuasive company and product presentations, and participate in workplace simulations to prepare for working in multilingual and multinational professional environments. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of a "D" or better.

GER 4300. Professional Internship in German.

This course provides a supervised, career-related experience within a business or organization connected to German studies. Students engage in professional work environments where they apply German language skills and demonstrate appropriate workplace behaviors. Under the joint supervision of an organization sponsor and the instructor, students gain practical insight into the structure, function, and mission of the host organization. Through reflective assignments and on-site projects, students connect academic content to their job responsibilities, develop a professional portfolio, and evaluate the internship in relation to their personal, educational, and career goals. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 4310. German Page Turners.

This course introduces students to engaging works of German literature that emphasize narrative momentum and reader engagement. Students read and discuss novels, short stories, and excerpts from modern and contemporary German-language authors. The course focuses on close reading, interpretation, and discussion of themes such as identity, memory, and social change. Conducted in German at an appropriate proficiency level, the course strengthens reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and analytical writing. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. (MULT) Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 4340. Writing German.

This course offers students advanced practice in writing German. German cultural material from print and visual media—short stories, novellas, radio plays, podcasts, magazine articles, film critiques, and television shows, for example—provide the basis for discussion. Improving skills in grammatical accuracy, style, and vocabulary, students respond to texts from a variety of genres in writing and conversation. Students receive considerable writing practice through activities that include, but are not limited to, in-class writing workshops, peer review, and annotated revisions of compositions. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. (WI) (MULT) Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 4380. Germany and Austria Before 1900: Emperors, Poets, Thinkers.

This course examines the history and culture of the German-speaking world from the Middle Ages through the nineteenth century. Students investigate major political, social, and intellectual developments, including dynastic conflicts, the rise of new ideologies, scientific progress, and the formation of German national identity. Through interpreting historical documents and excerpts from literary and philosophical texts, students analyze key ideas in German intellectual history and consider how culture and power shaped society. The course emphasizes critical discussion, textual analysis, and creative media-based presentations. This course is taught in German. The course may be repeated for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: GER 2320 with a grade of "D" or better.

GER 4390. Studies in German Culture, Language, or Literature.

This course is an individual study course in German under the direct supervision of a professor. It is generally available to graduating seniors who have completed several advanced courses or graduate students with special needs. Also, students enrolled in an education abroad program offered by the Department of World Languages & Literatures may take the course to fulfill up to two upper division elective courses in their degree plan. Students may not exceed six hours of credit in Independent Study. The course is repeatable for credit with different emphasis. (MULT) Prerequisite: Instructor approval.