GRMN-GERMAN
GRMN 1110. German I
4 Credits (4)
Intended for students with no previous exposure to German, this course develops basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills aiming toward the ACTFL novice-mid level. This is an introductory course designed to teach the student to communicate in German in everyday situations and to develop an understanding of German cultures through the identification of cultural products and practices, of cultural perspectives, and the ability to function at a survival level in an authentic cultural content. This course will also develop the student’s sense of personal and social responsibility through the identification of social issues.
Learning Outcomes
- Students can communicate on very familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases that they have practiced and memorized.
- Students can write lists and memorized phrases on familiar topics.
- Students can recognize some familiar words and phrases when they hear them spoken.
- Students can recognize some letters or characters.
- Students can understand some learned or memorized words and phrases when they read.
- Students can identify beliefs, behaviors and cultural artifacts of the German-speaking world.
- In English, students will engage with social issues confronting the German-speaking world to develop their sense of personal and social responsibility
GRMN 1120. German II
4 Credits (4)
A continuation of German 1, students will develop a broader foundation in skills gained during the first semester, including understanding, speaking, reading and writing German aiming toward the ACTFL novice-high level. This course is designed to increase student fluency in German as applied to everyday situations. Students will also learn to recognize and understand various German products, practices, and perspectives, identifying common cultural patterns, describing basic cultural viewpoints, and further developing their sense of personal and social responsibility through the investigation of cultural issues.
Prerequisite(s): C or better in GRMN 1110.
Learning Outcomes
- Students can communicate and exchange information about familiar topics using phrases and simple sentences, sometimes supported by memorized language.
- Students can usually handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions.
- Students can write short messages and notes on familiar topics related to everyday life.
- Students can often understand words, phrases, and simple sentences related to everyday life.
- Students can recognize pieces of information and sometimes understand the main topic of what is being said.
- Students can understand familiar words, phrases, and sentences within short and simple texts related to everyday life.
- Students can sometimes understand the main idea of what they have read.
- Students can describe and make comparisons between decisions about beliefs, behaviors and cultural artifacts ofthe German-speaking world.
- Students will engage with social issues confronting the German-speaking world to continue to develop their sense of personal and social responsibility.
GRMN 2110. German III
3 Credits (3)
In this third semester course, students will continue to develop a broader foundation in skills gained during the first two semesters, including understanding, speaking, reading and writing German aiming toward the ACTFL intermediate-low level. This course is designed to teach the student to communicate in a more sustained way in areas of personal interest and in everyday situations. Students will engage in and analyze various German products, practices, and perspectives, as well as continue to develop their sense of personal and social responsibility through comparison and contrast of cultural perspectives.
Prerequisite(s): C or better in GRMN 1120.
Learning Outcomes
- Students can participate in conversations on a number of familiar topics using simple sentences.
- Students can handle short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering simple questions.
- Students can write briefly about most familiar topics and present information using a series of simple sentences.
- Students can understand the main idea in short, simple messages and presentations on familiar topics.
- Students can understand the main idea of simple conversations that they overhear.
- Students can understand the main idea of short and simple texts when the topic is familiar.
- Students can analyze beliefs, behaviors and cultural artifacts of the German-speaking world, and discuss the nature and value of German products, practices, and perspectives.
- Students will engage with social issues confronting the German-speaking world to continue to develop their sense of personal and social responsibility.
GRMN 2120. German IV
3 Credits (3)
In this fourth semester course, students will continue to broaden and refine skills gained during previous semesters, including understanding, speaking, reading and writing German aiming at the ACTFL intermediate- mid level. This course is designed to teach the student to communicate in a more sustained way in situations that go beyond the everyday. Students will evaluate various German products, practices, and create ways to demonstrate their sense of personal and social responsibility through participation in cultural interaction.
Prerequisite(s): C or better in GRMN 2110.
Learning Outcomes
- Students can participate in conversations on familiar topics using sentences and series of sentences.
- Students can engage in short social interactions in everyday situations by asking and answering a variety of questions. Students can usually say what they want to say about themselves and their everyday life.
- Students can write on a wide variety of familiar topics using connected sentences.
- Students can understand the main idea in messages and presentations on a variety of topics related to everyday life and personal interests and studies.
- Students can understand the main idea of conversations that they overhear.
- Students can understand the main idea of texts related to everyday life and personal interests or studies.
- Students can analyze beliefs, behaviors and cultural artifacts of the German-speaking world, and recognize and discuss the representations and controversies of German products, practices, and perspectives.
- Students will engage with social issues confronting the German-speaking world to create ways to demonstrate their sense of personal and social responsibility.
GRMN 305. Topics in German Culture
3 Credits (3)
Group study of selected topics focusing on German culture and civilization. This course is linked to FLiP courses (Faculty-Led international Programs) when applicable. Topics identified by subtitle in the Schedule of Classes. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different topics.
Learning Outcomes
- (Language) Students will show more confidence in their German speaking, listening and writing abilities.
- (Culture): Students will demonstrate knowledge of the culture of German institutions, of Berlin (through reflection and discussion sessions) after visits to historical, architectural and cultural sites as well as direct interaction with the locals.
- (Culture): Students will demonstrate competence at navigating a culture different from their own.
- (Culture): Students will demonstrate (through reflection and discussion sessions) a greater appreciation for the diversity of German identity.
GRMN 313. Intermediate Composition and Grammar
3 Credits (3)
A review of the rules of German grammar. Development of written German skills. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will show their improvement in writing skills in German through the application of accurate grammar rules practiced in the course.
- Students will show their improvement in vocabulary usage in German by using more varied and appropriate vocabulary in their writing.
- Students will show their improvement in writing organization.
GRMN 326V. Transnational German Film
3 Credits (3)
The film industry has kept abreast of globality, glocality, cultural, and linguistic diversity. In this course we will cover examples of German film from its impressionist beginnings to the current globally influenced, and technologically advancing style and will look at palpable transnational aspects, including Turkish-German cinema and refugees on- and off-screen. We will focus on how the turn towards a transnational understanding of film provides a space for a more globally connected and inclusive cinema and world
Learning Outcomes
- Students analyze how ideas are represented, interpreted, or valued in various expressions of human culture.
- Students examine relevant primary source materials as understood by the humanities area under study and interpret the material in writing assignments (or alternatives that require equally coherent and sustained analysis).
- Students examine the messages embedded in images and relate them to their own culture(s).
- Students will be conversant in film techniques, film genres, film history, politics, and culture of the time in which the film was made.
- Students will practice and express aesthetic judgement in the form of analysis and assessment of film as an art form, both through discussion and through writing.
- Students will be expected to identify and interpret key themes and topics related to Transnational ‘German’ Cinema.
GRMN 340. Introduction to Translation
3 Credits (3)
General aspects of Translation from German to English and English to German. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the concept of translation by reading translation theory.
- Demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of German as related to translation practices.
- Demonstrate the ability to use specialized vocabulary and concepts in various professional areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the translator's place as a professional.
- Develop and enhance their linguistic competence and cultural awareness.
GRMN 341. German Folklore and Culture
3 Credits (3)
Customs, traditions, mythology, folk literature and art. Special focus on Grimms' fairy tales. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate improvement in reading skills in German by one ACTFL level by augmenting vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, and reading comprehension skills.
- Describe the 5 basic motifs in folktales (FT) and where they supposedly come from.
- List and define the 9 types of FT (Teverson) according to their functions.
- Discuss the impact of the enlightenment in the structure of FT, Evaluate the influence of the industrial revolution and the development of a bourgeois society in FT.
- Critique the position of the present-day, pop-cult media in its recently created versions of FT.
GRMN 350. Introduction to German Literature
3 Credits (3)
Basic literary genres and major figures in German language literature from its beginnings to the 19th century. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. To be followed by GRMN 471 - Studies in German Literature. May be repeated up to 3 credits. Consent of Instructor required.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an improvement on reading skills in German by one ACTFL level by augmenting active vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and reading comprehension skills.
- Describe the authors, styles and basic discourses of 3 periods of German-language literature (old and middle high German from early the medieval literature, the protestant reformation; High German and literature academies: the fifteenth to seventeenth Centuries; and the Eighteenth Century.
GRMN 399. Intermediate Independent Study in German
1-3 Credits (1-3)
Tutorial in reading, writing and oral expression for intermediate-level students of German. Topics identified in the Schedule of Classes. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different topics. May be repeated up to 6 credits. Consent of Instructor required.
Learning Outcomes
- Objectives for independent study courses will depend on the study/research interests of the student; they will always vary.
GRMN 410. Practicum in Conversational German
1-3 Credits
Intensive oral communication practice for students with a strong German language foundation. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Prerequisite(s): GRMN 325 or consent of instructor.
Learning Outcomes
- Objectives for independent study courses will depend on the study/research interests of the student; they will always vary.
GRMN 413. Advanced Composition and Grammar
3 Credits (3)
Exercises in written German with emphasis on stylistic features.
Prerequisite: GRMN 313 or consent of instructor.
GRMN 451. Special Topics in German
1-3 Credits
Selected topics to be identified by subtitle in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different topic. May be repeated up to 12 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Objectives for independent study courses will depend on the study/research interests of the student; they will always vary.
GRMN 453. Independent Studies in German
1-3 Credits (1-3)
Individualized, self-paced research projects for advanced-level students of German. Topics identified by subtitle in the Schedule of Classes. GRMN 2120 or equivalent is recommended. May be repeated up to 12 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Objectives for independent study courses will depend on the study/research interests of the student; they will always vary.