German Courses

All courses have limited enrollment and emphasize student participation. Language courses are proficiency-based and make use of the latest advances in multimedia technology.

Elementary and Intermediate German emphasize intensive language training and introduction to contemporary culture through authentic materials. Students who have had less than one and one-half years of high school German normally begin with GERM 111; those entering with two years normally begin with GERM 112; those presenting three years usually begin with GERM 203; and those presenting four years normally begin with GERM 204. Native speakers should consult the department’s advisor in German for correct placement.

Advanced language and literature courses are designed for those students majoring or minoring in the program.

Goethe Institute Proficiency Certification
Students are encouraged to take the various standard proficiency examinations available at Goethe-Institutes world-wide, including at the Goethe House New York. These examinations, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), serve as internationally recognized proof of proficiency in German. “Goethe-Zertifikate” range from the A1 (elementary) through the C1 (near-native proficiency) levels and are recognized internationally.

The department houses the Delta Omicron Chapter of Delta Phi Alpha, the national German honor society.

GERM 41, 41W. Masterpieces of German 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. Readings in English translation of some outstanding works of German literature from the beginnings to the twentieth century, illustrating a variety of genres. The specific works to be considered will vary from semester to semester and from section to section, and will be announced in advance. May be taken more than once for credit provided topic is different. May be designated a writing intensive course. Check semester listings. (LIT)

GERM 45, 45W. German Civilization 3 hr.; 3 cr. 
Prereq.: English 110. Introductory course in contemporary German culture and civilization for students interested in exploring future travel, study, or internship opportunities in German-speaking countries. Particular attention to German arts, history, politics, economic and social issues. All readings and discussions in English. May be designated a writing intensive course. Check semester listings. (WCGI)

GERM 250, 250W. German Cinema 3 hr.; 3 cr. 
The course will treat various aspects of German cinema: historical, cultural, aesthetic, political, technical, etc. In a given semester, the course may deal with a certain tendency (such as the Heimat film), period (such as New German Cinema), or director (such as Lang, Murnau, Fassbinder, or Wenders). Lectures and work will be done in English; films will be shown in the original language with subtitles. May be taken more than once for credit provided topic is different. May be designated a writing intensive course. Check semester listings. 

See the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) homepage for extensive information on learning the German language.

GERM 10. Elementary German for Reading Purposes 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Introductory course for students who require the elements of a reading knowledge in German. May not be taken for credit by students who have completed German 111 or 112, or equivalent. May not be taken in fulfillment of the Foreign Language requirement.

GERM 11. German for the Arts 3 hr.; 3 cr.
For students who require the elements the elements of a reading knowledge of German of more advanced and discipline specific texts such as required by students of music, art history, and other academic disciplines. Some prior knowledge of German is encouraged. May not be taken in fulfillment of the language requirement.

GERM 109. Intensive German I-II. 8 hr.; 8 cr.
The contents of German 111 and 112 condensed into one semester. (LANG)

GERM 110. Intensive German III-IV. 6 hr.; 6 cr.
Prereq. German 109 or German 111 and 112. Fulfills the language requirement in German. (LANG)

GERM 111. Elementary German I. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Intended for students with no previous knowledge of German. A basic orientation to German language and culture designed to help the student negotiate simple social situations. Practice in reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. Fall, Spring. (LANG)

GERM 112. Elementary German II. 4 h.; 4 cr.
Prereq. German 111 or equivalent. A continuation of German 111. Fall, Spring (LANG)

GERM 203. Intermediate German I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 112 or three years of high school German. A continuation of German 112 designed to bring the student to an intermediate level of proficiency. Comprehensive review of grammar, vocabulary building, and reading of cultural texts at the intermediate level. Fulfills language requirement in German. Fall, Spring. (LANG)

GERM 204. Intermediate German II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 203. Reading, conversation, composition, vocabulary building, review of grammar. Counts as an elective course toward the major or minor. Fall, Spring. (WCGI, LANG)

GERM 206. Survey of German Literature 1, Level I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 204 or permission of department. Reading and analysis of representative works from the Middle Ages through the end of the sixteenth century; special emphasis on literary values and history. Required for majors and others planning to take elective courses in the department. Spring.

GERM 207. Survey of German Literature 2, Level I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 204 or permission of department. Reading and analysis of representative works from the seventeenth century to the present; special emphasis on literary values and history. Required for majors and others planning to take elective courses.

GERM 223. Conversation. Level I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 203. For students who want to refine their fluency in current idiom. Designed to build self-confidence in social situations. Practice in expressing and defending an opinion through group discussions and short presentation on general topics. May not be taken by a native speaker of German. (WCGI, LANG)

GERM 224. Advanced Grammar and Stylistics. Level II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 204. For students who wish to refine their writing style through a comprehensive review of grammar and writing style. Extensive writing assignments and analysis of contemporary texts. (LANG)

GERM 228. Advanced Conversation and Composition. Level II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 223. For students who want to refine their fluency in current idiom. Group discussions, short presentations, and role-plays integrated with writing assignments and grammar review designed to bring the student to an advanced level of proficiency.  (LANG)

GERM 235. German for Business and Industry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Permission of the department. Designed to introduce the student to German business customs and conventions through acquisition of business terminology, readings of contemporary texts, and practice in business letter writing. (LANG)

GERM 236. German Media of Today. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 203. An introduction to contemporary information sources and their influence on German society through an analysis of print, visual and computer media. (LANG)

GERM 310. Art, Music, Literature in German Society 1. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. From Hildegard von Bingen to Mozart: An interdisciplinary approach to the development of a distinct arts and letters tradition in the German-speaking world from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment. 

GERM 311. Art, Music, Literature in German Society 2. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. From Beethoven to Henze: An examination of the development of a distinct arts and letters tradition in the German- speaking world through representative works from the fine arts from the eighteenth century to the present.

GERM 312. Politics, Religion, and German Society. 1. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. Luther and the consequences of the Reformation. An interdisciplinary study of the development of the German language and culture and the German nation state from Luther’s Reformation (1517) to the present. 

GERM 313. Politics, Religion, and German Society. 2. 3 hr.; 3 cr. 
Prereq.: English 110. The Jews from the Middle Ages to the Holocaust. An interdisciplinary study of the interrelationship of the German nation state and the Jews from the Middle Ages to the present.

GERM 314. Minorities in Germany. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. An examination of the changing role of minorities in contemporary Germany after Unification.

GERM 315. German Culture in New York City. Directed Research. 1-12 cr.

GERM 321. Early German Literature. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: GERM 207 or permission of the department. Reading, in modern German translation, of representative works of epic and lyric poetry. Brief survey of German literature in the Middle Ages to Humanism, and from Mysticism to the Reformation, and the Counter-Reformation.

GERM 324. German Enlightenment. 3 hr,; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. Reading of the works of such authors as Lessing, Mendelssohn, Bodmer, Breitinger, Lichtenberg, and early Goethe and Schiller.

GERM 325. The Age of Goethe. 3 hr.; 3cr.
Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. Readings of some of the major works of Goethe (excluding Faust), Schiller, Hölderlin, and Kleist.

GERM 326. Romanticism. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. A study of the German romantic tradition. Reading of the works of such authors as Novalis, Eichendorff, Brentano, E.T.A. Hoffmann, and Heine.

GERM 331. The German Theater From Lessing to Heiner Müller. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 206 or permission of the department.

GERM 333. German Novels. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. Novels of such authors as Goethe, Keller, Meyer, Fontane, Kafka, Mann, Musil, Walser, Frisch, and Grass may be considered.

GERM 335. German Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. Poems of such authors as Goethe, Schiller, Hölderlin, Mörike, Meyer, Trakl, Brecht, and Bachmann may be considered.

GERM 350. German Literature in the Industrial Age. From Büchner to Fontane. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: German 206 or permission of the department. Readings may include the works of authors such as Büchner, Keller, Meyer, Grillparzer, and Hebbel.

GERM 360. German Literature and Modernity: From Wedekind to the Present. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.:German 206 or permission of the department. Readings may include works of such writers as Hauptmann Kafka, Mann, Brecht, Frisch, Dürrenmatt, and Grass.

GERM 381. Seminar. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one 300 level course or permission of the department.

GERM 382. Independent Studies 1 conf. and 9 hr. work. 3 cr. each semester.
Prereq.: Upper junior or senior standing; the completion of at least four elective courses in German and permission by the department.