German (GER) - Courses

GER 101 Cr.4

German in a Global Society I

The first of two introductory courses in German. The five language skills: listening, speaking, writing, reading, and culture are introduced. Offered Fall.

+GER 102 Cr.4

German in a Global Society II

The second introductory course in German comprehension, speaking, writing, reading, and culture. Prerequisite: GER 101 or placement based on UW System Placement Test scores. Offered Spring.

+GER 201 Cr.4

German Language and Cultures in Action I

The first of two intermediate-level German courses. Students continue to develop all language skills with special emphasis placed on refining speaking and listening comprehension. Prerequisite: GER 102 or placement based on UW System Placement Test scores. Offered Fall.

+GER 202 Cr.3

German Language and Cultures in Action II

The second of two intermediate-level German courses, designed specifically to transition students to upper-level content courses. Students continue to develop all language skills with special emphasis placed on refining reading and writing in German. Topics in recent German history and contemporary German society are explored while obtaining a grasp of more complex grammatical structures. Prerequisite: GER 201 or placement based on UW System Placement Test scores. Offered Spring.

GER 300 Cr.3

Advanced German

Development of all German language skills with emphasis on reading and writing. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.

GER 301 Cr.3

An Introduction to German Literature

A beginning literature course designed to teach the student to read with depth and critical ability. Emphasis will be on German theatre, the short story, and poetry. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

GER 311 Cr.3

German Conversation and Composition

Practice in oral and written German to gain fluency in idiomatic style. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

GER 313 Cr.3

German Grammar and Composition

An intensive study of German grammar and stylistics with an emphasis on controlled compositions. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

GER 315 Cr.3

Business German

A course designed to prepare advanced students in German to communicate effectively in the business world. Intensive practice in oral comprehension, speaking, writing, utilizing special, topical vocabulary related to international commerce. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

GER 320 Cr.3

German Civilization: 1870-Reunification

A topical and contrastive approach to German culture and civilization. A study of the social and political organization of Germany from 1870 to reunification in 1989, based on an historical perspective with special emphasis on the forces which led to National Socialism and the division of Germany after World War II. Milestones in German cultural history prior to 1870 will be touched on briefly. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

GER 321 Cr.3

German Civilization: 1989-Present

A study of contemporary life in the German-speaking world with particular emphasis on the Federal Republic since unification. Topics include unification, the political system, the educational system, and the geography of the region. The multi-cultural aspects of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will be highlighted. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

GER 326 Cr.1

Current Events

A weekly discussion of current events in the German-speaking world, based on readings and television broadcasts in the target language. This course is one of four one-credit elective courses offered in the German studies program. A maximum of six credits from a combination of GER 326, GER 327, GER 328, and GER 329 will be applicable to the German majors or minors. (Each individual course can only be taken three times for a total of three credits.) Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

GER 327 Cr.1

Grammar Review

A course designed to provide additional practice and review of German grammar and syntax. Students will engage in focused writing assignments that will allow them to master frequently occurring grammar structures (e.g., past tenses in narration, object pronouns, relative pronouns, adjective endings.) This course is one of four one-credit elective courses offered in the German studies program. A maximum of six credits from a combination of GER 326, GER 327, GER 328, and GER 329 will be applicable to the German majors or minors. (Each individual course can only be taken three times for a total of three credits.) Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

GER 328 Cr.1

Short Stories

A course designed to help students improve their reading and writing skills in German. Through the study of short stories, students will learn reading strategies, build their vocabulary, and review relevant grammar concepts. This course is one of four one-credit elective courses offered in the German studies program. A maximum of six credits from a combination of GER 326, GER 327, GER 328, and GER 329 will be applicable to the German majors or minors. (Each individual course can only be taken three times for a total of three credits.) Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Annually.

GER 330 Cr.3

German Conversation and Phonetics

A study of the German-language sound system. Students learn the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) modeling their speech after native speakers -both live and from recorded materials. Sound patterns are reinforced through conversational exercises which are based upon current events, readings, and cultural nuances. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.

GER 351 Cr.4

Films in German

The study of the German-speaking world film viewing, discussion and writing assignments will all be in German. Lect. 3, Lab 2. Prerequisite: GER 202 or equivalent. Offered Occasionally.

+GER 398 Cr.3

German Thinkers and Popular Culture

A course that critically examines instances of popular culture such as Hollywood movies, reality TV, pop songs, social media sites, and bestselling novels through the lens of various philosophical traditions. Focusing predominantly on German thinkers from the 18th-20th centuries such as Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Freud, and Benjamin, the course explores how their ideas can help a person today find deeper meaning in pop culture, as well as how pop culture might aid in understanding these thinkers' difficult theories. Taught in English. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

+GER 399 Cr.3

German Literature in Translation

A course designed to introduce students to great works of German literature. The course will center on representative writings by leading authors of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries whose works illustrate important aspects of German history and culture. In general these will be longer works of fiction and/or multiple works by such writers as Kafka, Goethe, Kleist, Mann, Boll, Grass, Wolf, etc. Works and authors will vary. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.

GER 403 Cr.3

Studies of German Literature

A course designed to survey major literary movements and authors. Specific topics vary by semester. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: a three credit 300-level German course. Offered Occasionally.

GER 450 Cr.1-4

National/International Intern Program

A course in German individually tailored to fit career needs: cultural awareness, technical vocabulary in German to prepare students who elect internship credits in other departments. German minors or other students having the equivalency of GER 202 may elect to take these credits off campus. Repeatable for credit - maximum four. Prerequisite: a declared major in department offering intern program or a declared minor in German. Offered Occasionally.

GER 498 Cr.1-3

Independent Study

Fieldwork, research, individual projects in a specific area of German language, civilization or literature. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: two advanced German courses; junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.

GER 499 Cr.1-3

Independent Study

Field work, research, and individual projects in a specific area of German language, civilization or literature. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: two advanced German courses; junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.