German (GERM)

Head of Department: Associate Professor Norma Bouchard
Department Office:  Room 228, J.H. Arjona Building

Consult the Modern and Classical Languages Department listing in this Catalog for requirements for Majors in German.

1111 through 1114. Special Intensive Course

(111-114) First and second semesters. Eight credits per semester. Two hours a day, four days a week, plus a 2-hour laboratory practice. Open only with consent of instructor. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 1131 through 1134.

Intensive coverage of two years in two semesters. GERM 1111-1112 (fall) covers same materials as 1131-1132, Elementary German; German 1113-1114 (spring) covers same material as German 1133-1134, Intermediate German.

1131-1132. Elementary German I and II

(131-132) Both semesters. Four credits each semester. Four class periods, and one 1-hour laboratory practice. Not open for credit to students who have had three or more years of German in high school. Students who wish to continue in German but feel ill prepared should contact the head of the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 1111-1112.

Fundamentals of German. Presentation of dialogues, conversation, vocabulary building, grammar and culture. Emphasis on speaking, oral comprehension, reading of simple texts and writing, to satisfy basic survival needs within a cultural setting.

1133-1134. Intermediate German I and II

(133-134) Both semesters. Four credits each semester. Four class periods and one 1-hour laboratory practice. Prerequisite: GERM 1132 or two years of high school German. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 1113-1114.

Review and extension of grammar, vocabulary expansion, graded composition, intensive and extensive reading, and intensive oral practice to further develop communicative abilities within a cultural setting.

1140W. German Literature in English

(140W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Representative works of German literature in English, especially from the 20th and the 21st centuries. Development of close reading and critical thinking skills, improvement of student composition, and the development of a conceptual framework for understanding another culture. CA 1. 

1145-1146. German Readings in the Sciences and Humanities

(145-146) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 1131-1132 or equivalent. May not be used to meet the undergraduate language requirement.

Basic grammar and intensive practice in reading expository prose in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Intended for students desiring to learn German as a tool for research. Will satisfy ACS and Ph.D. reading requirements.

1153. Active Language Skills I

(153) First semester. Two credits. Two class periods. Corequisite or prerequisite: GERM 1133. Practice in audio-lingual skills.

Emphasis on everyday vocabulary. Recommended for students intending to travel or study abroad.

1154. Active Language Skills II

(154) Second semester. Two credits. Two class periods. Corequisite or prerequisite: GERM 1134.

Additional practice in developing communicative abilities in a German-speaking country. Recommended for students intending to travel or study abroad.

1169. Contemporary Germany in Europe

(169) Either semester. Three credits. Finger

This course familiarizes students with contemporary German society and the cultural and historical aspects that shape everyday life in Germany in the 21st century. Students will explore a range of topics, including reunification, minorities, education and youth, the arts, and gender. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

1171. The German Film

(171) Either semester. Three credits. Readings and lectures in English. May not be used to meet the undergraduate foreign language requirement.

Weekly showings of German films from the 1920's to the present. Introduction to film history, analysis and interpretation of films, outside readings, term papers. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

1175. Human Rights and German Culture

(175) Either semester. Three credits. Readings and lectures in English. May not be used to meet the undergraduate foreign language requirement.

Study of primary sources on human rights from the Age of Enlightenment to contemporary documents and debates as well as literature and other forms of art related to human rights. Documentaries on the Holocaust, human rights in divided Germany, and the contemporary debate on multiculturalism and political asylum. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

1193. Foreign Study

(193) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally to be granted prior to the student's departure.

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

2201-2202. Composition

(201-202) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Prerequisite: GERM 1134 or three years of German in high school. May only be used for transfer credit or for study abroad. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 3233-3234.

Intensive grammar review and extensive practice in writing.

2204-2205. Conversation

(204-205) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Prerequisite: GERM 1134 or three years of German in high school. May only be used for transfer credit or for study abroad. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 3233-3234.

Intensive oral practice based primarily on cultural readings.

2280. Introduction to Germanic Linguistics

(280) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GERM 1132 or LING 2020 or instructor consent. McCormick

A study of the relationship among modern and historical Germanic languages. Lectures, readings, and class discussions in English.

2282. Connecticut and the Global Market: The German-Speaking Countries

(282) First semester. Three credits. Taught in English.

Cultural aspects of international business. Lectures by speakers from the German-speaking countries and representatives of institutions and companies related to those countries. Discussion and analysis of the lectures.

3200. Intensive Language Practice

(200) Second semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: GERM 1133 or equivalent and consent of instructor.

Two or three weeks of concentrated study in Europe. Exclusive use of the language, with three to four daily contact hours. Practice in all active and passive language skills, combined with periodic review sessions during the rest of the semester.

3220. German Recitation in Applied Mechanics

(220) First semester. One credit. One class period. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 1133  or equivalent.

Technical German in engineering through the basic concepts and problem solving techniques used in applied mechanics.

3221. Introduction to the Sciences in German

(221) Second semester. One credit. One class period. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 1134, CHEM 1128Q, and PHYS 1502Q or equivalent.

A series of lectures and discussion periods about basic concepts in the physical sciences presented in German. Topics will be primarily from the various engineering disciplines, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

3222. Fields of Technology

(222) First semester. One credit. One class period. Prerequisite: GERM 3220 and GERM 3221.

A series of lectures and discussion periods on special topics in science and engineering. Open only with consent of instructor.

3231-3232. German for Professional Use I and II

(231-232) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Prerequisite: GERM 1134 or equivalent. Recommended preparation: GERM 3233-3234.

Development of oral and written skills using a content-based methodology and drawing on authentic documents in a variety of formats that convey the language and culture of professional environments in the German-speaking countries. Preparation for the Goethe Institutes's test of German for Professional Purposes (Deutsch f\r den Beruf).

3233-3234. Building Language Skills Through Culture I and II

(233-234) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Prerequisite: GERM 1134 or equivalent. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 2201-2202 or GERM 2204-2205.

Development of oral and written skills using a content-based methodology and drawing on texts that deal with issues in contemporary culture of German-speaking countries. Emphasis on acquisition of a sophisticated understanding of cultural differences while building vocabulary, improving accuracy, and increasing facility in self-expression and communication. 

3240W. German Literature in Translation

(240W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. May not be used to satisfy the undergraduate foreign language requirement or the major requirement in German. 

Reading and analysis of significant works of German literature from one or more periods.

3245. German Grammar and Etymology

(245) Either semester. Three credits. Corequisite: GERM 3233 or equivalent or instructor consent.

German grammar and etymology for advanced students. A conceptual foundation for communicative language skills and comparison with English. 

3251. German Culture and Civilization

(251) Either semester. Three credits. Conducted in English. Not open for credit to students who have passed GERM 250.

An interdisciplinary course on the German-speaking countries, analyzing cultural life and past and present development. Period or thematic emphasis may vary. Discussion of selected non-fictional and fictional readings, films, slides and recordings. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

3252W. Studies in Early German Literature

(252W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Study of a cohesive group of texts that mark the periods of the Middle Ages, Humanism, Reformation, and Baroque. Emphasis may vary. Attention will be given to the relevant socio-historical context and, when possible, to the visual and performing arts. Taught in German. CA 1.

3253W. Studies in German Literature Around 1800

(253W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent . Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Study of a cohesive group of texts that mark the periods of Enlightenment, Storm and Stress, Classicism and Early Romanticism. Emphasis may vary. Attention will be given to the relevant socio-historical context and to the visual and performing arts. Taught in German. CA 1.

3254W. Studies in 19th Century German Literature

(254W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Study of a cohesive group of texts that mark the periods of Late Romanticism, Vormärz, Realism and Naturalism. Emphasis may vary. Attention will be given to the relevant socio-historical context and to the visual and performing arts. Taught in German.  CA 1.

3255. Studies in 20th Century German Literature

(255) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent.

Study of a cohesive group of texts that mark the period. Attention will be given to the relevant socio-historical context and to the visual and performing arts. Taught in German. CA 1.

3255W. Studies in 20th Century German Literature

(255W) Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 1.

3258. Germans in Africa, Blacks in German-Speaking Countries. Colonial and Postcolonial Perspectives

(258) Either semester. Three credits.

Interdisciplinary study of former German colonialism in Africa and Blacks in German-speaking societies, past and present. Construction of intercultural and interracial power and dialog in historical perspective. Diversity of black and white experiences and perspectives across class, racial-ethnic groups, gender, cultures, religions, and national borders. Discussion of selected literary and non-fictional readings, films, other visual images, and recordings.  CA 1. CA 4-INT. 

3260. Women's Studies in German

(260) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3234 or instructor consent.

Women in the literature of the German-speaking countries. Women's writings. The development of German feminism. Contemporary gender issues in the German-speaking countries.

3261W. German Film and Culture

(281W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Critical analysis of artistic issues in writing screenplays and making movies. Dynamic interplay between German film, the other arts, and their socioeconomic context, and the cinematic traditions of other cultures.  Taught in German. CA 1. CA 4-INT.

3262. German Play Production

(295) Second semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: GERM 1111 or 1131 and consent of instructor. May not be used to meet the undergraduate foreign language requirement. With a change in topic, this course may be repeated for credit.

Extensive and intensive study, discussion and interpretation of a German drama, followed by casting, rehearsals and eventual performance. Students are given both on-stage and off-stage assignments and responsibilities. Term paper.

3264W. German Cinema in Cross-Cultural Perspective

(284W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Cross-cultural comparison of film genres using examples from German film history and other cinematic traditions. CA 1.

3265. Topics in German Culture

(285) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: GERM 3233 or instructor consent. With a change in topic, this course may be repeated for credit.

An analysis of the cultural trends of a selected period or theme in a German-speaking country, taking into account the historical, political, and socioeconomic background, aspects of daily life, philosophical trends, major literary works and other artistic achievements in art, music, and architecture. Specialists from other departments will be invited as guest lecturers.

3271. Principles of Translation I

(271) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GERM 3234 or equivalent. Open only to juniors and seniors, with consent of instructor. Wright

Theory and practice of translating and interpreting written and oral materials from German into English.

3292. German Language Practicum

(290) Either semester or summer. Credits (not to exceed six) and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three years of college-level German or the equivalent. Open only to juniors and seniors with consent of instructor.

Placement of students as trainees in business, industry and social or government agencies where foreign language skills can be put to use.

3293. Foreign Study

(293) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally to be granted prior to the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of advisor.

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

3294. German Seminar

(296) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only to juniors and seniors with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

Intensive investigation of selected problems in German literature and/or German studies.

3295. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

3298. Variable Topics

(297) Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

3299. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

4246. The Finishing Touch: A Capstone in German Studies 

(246) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GERM 3234 plus a minimum of 6 additional 2000-level or above credits in German.

A course in which advanced students assess and polish their German language skills, consolidate their learning in German Studies, and demonstrate that learning in a final project. 

German Study Abroad An academic year or spring semester at the University of Salzburg, Austria, operated jointly with other New England state universities, allows students to earn up to 34 credits in all disciplines. The University of Connecticut sponsors a variety of programs at any of nine universities in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. Students also have the possibility of language study at a Goethe Institute, and a combination of study and work through programs in Mannheim and Regensburg.