German Department Course Selection Guide Fall 03
German 101: Beginning German Section I: M, W, Th 8:30-9:40 am Section II: T, W, F 9:50-11:00 am Mr. Kruse, TBA Why German? As European unification continues apace in the economic and political fields, German is being spoken by more and more people than ever before in Europe. There are many and different perspectives to look and learn more about German culture. One is certainly through its language. This introductory course will give you a firm foundation for further study of the language and culture, with an emphasis on communicative fluency through extensive practice of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Videos and webbased activities introduce the student to topics from contemporary culture in German-speaking countries. GER 101 earns 1.0 unit of credit; however, both 101 and 102 must be completed satisfactorily to receive credit for either course. Three meetings per week. Prerequisite: None Distribution: None
German 201: Intermediate German M, W, Th 9:50-11:00 am Ms. Ward The Promise This course will help you to build on the skills learned in German 101-102, emphasizing comprehension of authentic spoken German, verbal communication, and clear writing in German. In class, we will use poems, stories, and documentary texts to strengthen your communicative skills. You will be improving your ability to read these texts without the help of translations. Another exciting aspect of German 201 is that we will also explore the world of cinema by watching and working with a German film, Das Versprechen (The Promise). GER 201 earns 1.0 unit of credit; however, both 201 and 202 must be completed satisfactorily to receive credit for either course. Three meetings per week. Prerequisite: One to two units and placement exam or German 101-102.
German 231: Advanced Studies in Language and Culture M, W, Th 11:10-12:20 pm Mr. Hansen Development of the communicative skills necessary to negotiate complex meaning in reading, speaking, and writing. We will study some facets of contemporary culture while we review selected grammar topics. Texts will include one novel, several films, and website material on the Comedian Harmonists. Designed for students with four semesters of language training or equivalent. Required for the majors in German Language and Literature and in German Studies unless exempted by department by virtue of linguistic proficiency. Meets three times a week. Prerequisite: 201-202 or placement examination. Distribution: Language and Literature
German 268/368: Richard Wagner, Nietzsche, Mann: The Composer and His Critics 268 - M,Th 2:50-4:00 pm (in English) 368 - M, Th 2:50-4:00 pm Th 4:10-5:20 pm (in German) Mr. Hansen 268 Richard Wagner - composer, poet, critic - is a controversial figure in German culture. This course will examine in depth the four operas that make up the great mythical tale of lust and power, The Ring of the Nibelung. Beginning with Norse sagas, we shall read Wagnerʼs sources and then study the major responses to Wagner, concentrating on his contemporary, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and on the writer Thomas Mann. We shall also read Wagnerʼs own essays to understand his subsequent use by National Socialism. Two periods with additional evening listening sessions. Prerequisite: none Distribution: Language and Literature or Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, Video 368 Same course as German 268 above, with additional readings in German and an aditional weekly class meeting taught in German with discussions and oral reports in German. Prerequisite: One 200-level unit, 240 or above, or permission of instructor Distribution: Language and Literature or Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, Video
German 325: Goethe T 11:10-12:20 pm F 11:10-12:20 pm Mr. Kruse Texts from all phases of Goetheʼs literary career will be studied in their sociohistorical context. Readings will include: poetry, dramatic works including Faust, and narrative works. Taught in German Prerequisite: One 200-level unit, 240 or above taught in German, or by permission of the instructor Distribution: Language and Literature
German 120/Writing 125: Berlin and Cinema offered Spring 04 Ms. Ward As the brilliant metropolis of 1920s cultural modernity, the epicenter of Cold War conflict, and the locus of divisive German unity after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin has proven a rich site of inquiry for some of the worldʼs greatest filmmakers. We will view this fascinating city from the multiple and complex standpoints offered in a range of documentary and fiction films, from the experimental silent film, Symphony of a Great City, to Rosseliniʼs Germany Year Zero and Wilderʼs raucous 1947 comedy, A Foreign Affair. Wim Wendersʼs Wings of Desire and films from the post-wall period will also be featured. The course emphasizes development of the requisite vocabulary to analyze film art and provides an overview of nine decades of German history. This course satisfies the Writing 125 requirement and counts as a unit toward the German Studies major. Includes a third session each week. Students enrolled in German courses, particularly 201, are encouraged to fulfill the Writing 125 requirement with this class. Prerequisite: Open to all first-year students Distribution: Art, Music, Theatre, Film, Video
German 274: Postwar German Culture MTh 1:30-2:40 pm Ms. Ward A survey of cultural, social, and political developments in Germany since 1945. Texts will be drawn from literature, historical studies, and autobiography and we will view documentary films. The changing role of women in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic after 1949 will be an important topic of discussion. The Davis Museum will have an exhibitiion in the fall related to this course that we will use as a visual resource. Special emphasis on developing advanced skills in reading, speaking, and writing German. Taught in German, two periods. Prerequisite: 231 or permission of instructor Distribution: Historical Studies or Language and Literature