Curriculum
Major in German
33 credits including German 204 are required for the major. Students must take at least 24 credits from among language courses in the 200 series and from among courses in the 300 series. The remaining 9 credits may be taken from among any other German courses, including those taught in English (German 41, German 50, German 310-315)
Currently, German majors will also need to take coursework at Hunter College in order to fulfill requirements for the major. Interested students are urged to consult with the academic adviser for German as early as possible in order to plan their programs.
The department encourages interested students to take the various standard examinations such as that for the Certificate "Deutsch als Fremdsprache," issued by the Goethe-Institut in Munich through the Goethe House New York. Further information about the composition of these tests, as well as about the dates on which they are administered may be obtained from the academic adviser.
Minor in German
The minor in German combines the study of German language, literature, and culture with one particular discipline outside the German program. The Department's program in German is designed to appeal to a wide range of interests and to prepare students for a variety of professions. The minor in German requires 15 credits beyond German 203 or its equivalent. 6 credits must be taken from among language courses in the 200 series (223- 236); at least 3 credits are required in the 300 series. The remaining 6 credits may be taken from any of the courses above the level of 204, including those taught in English translation (German 41, German 250, German 310-315).
Interested students are urged to consult with the academic adviser for German as early as possible in order to plan their programs.
Curriculum
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, including Web sites in German-speaking countries. Training in reading, writing, listening and speaking comprehension.
Advanced language courses are designed for those students majoring or minoring in the program. The Zertifikat "Deutsch als Fremdsprache", an internationally recognized measure of language proficiency issued by the Goethe-Institut in Munich through the Goethe House in New York, may be taken by qualified students interested in study at a German university, or by students pursuing careers in teaching and business.
Advanced seminars are generally conducted in German and treat a variety of topics in German literature and culture.
Independent projects may be undertaken with departmental approval.
Students who have studied German in an accredited college or university must have their previous language work evaluated before they may enroll for further courses in German.
Course Listings
Introductory Courses in English
41, 41W. Masterpieces of German 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English.110. Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 1. 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.
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.
250, 250W. German Cinema 4 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.
Basic Language Courses
See the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) homepage for extensive information on learning the German language.
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.
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.
109. Intensive German I-II. 8 hr.; 8 cr.
The contents of German 111 and 112 condensed into one semester.
110. Intensive German III-IV. 6 hr.; 6 cr.
Prereq. German 109 or German 111 and 112. Fulfills the language requirement in German.
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.
112. Elementary German II. 4 h.; 4 cr.
Prereq. German 111 or equivalent. A continuation of German 111. Fall, Spring
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.
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.
Introductory Literature Courses
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.
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.
Advanced Language Courses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Civilization Courses
310. Art, Music, Literature in German Society 1. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Pre-Industrial and/or Non-Western Civilization. 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.
311. Art, Music, Literature in German Society 2. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities III. 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.
312. Politics, Religion, and German Society. 1. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Pre-Industrial and/or Non-Western Civilization. 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.
313. Politics, Religion, and German Society. 2. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities III. 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.
314. Minorities in Germany. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities III. Prereq.: English 110. An examination of the changing role of minorities in contemporary Germany after Unification.
315. German Culture in New York City. Directed Research. 1-12 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities III. Prereq. German 204. An overview of the German-speaking presence in New York City. Field trips to historical sites, ethnic enclaves, cultural institutions, and artistic events in the city. Individual or group field projects with approval of the department.
Elective Courses in Literature
321. Early German Literature. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Pre-Industrial and/or Non-Western Civilization. Prereq.: German 205 or permission of 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.
324. German Enlightenment. 3 hr,; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. 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.
325. The Age of Goethe. 3 hr.; 3cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. Prereq. German 206 or permission of the department. Readings of some of the major works of Goethe (excluding Faust), Schiller, Hölderlin, and Kleist.
326. Romanticism. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. 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.
331. The German Theater From Lessing to Heiner Müller. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. Prereq.: German 206 or permission of the department.
333. German Novels. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. 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.
335. German Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. 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.
350. German Literature in the Industrial Age. From Büchner to Fontane. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. Prereq.: German 206 or permission of the department. Readings may include the works of authors such as Büchner, Keller, Meyer, Grillparzer, and Hebbel.
360. German Literature and Modernity: From Wedekind to the Present. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Fulfills LASAR Humanities I Tier 2. Prereq.:German 206 or permission of the department. Readings may include works of such writers as Hauptmann Kafka, Mann, Brecht, Frisch, Dürrenmatt, and Grass.
381. Seminar. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one 300 level course or permission of the department.
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.