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German Department Catalog listings

(Department of German)

Professor Roger Crockett

Professor Dan Kramer

Professor Debra Prager

Major

A major in German language leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires at least 39 credits as follows:

1. German 262 (three credits from German 263, an approved substitute in German language or a cognate field), 311, 312, 325, 332

2. Six credits from German 303 or from German 301 and 302

3. German 347 or 349

4. Six additional credits in literature chosen from the following: German 313, 314, 315, 316, 318, 320, 321 (if topic is literary)

5. The remaining credits must be taken from a list of approved courses, available from the department, with no more than six credits in any one discipline

6. Students must pass an oral and written proficiency examination conducted by the department before or during their last term prior to graduation.

A major in German literature leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires at least 39 credits as follows:

1. German 262 (three credits from German 263, an approved substitute in German language or a cognate field) and German 325 and 395

2. Six credits from German 303 or from German 311 and 312

3. Three credits in each of the following three groups:

German 313 or 315

German 314 or 316

German 347 or 349

4. Six additional credits in literature chosen from the following: German 313, 314, 315, 316, 318, 320, 321 (if topic is literary), 347, 349, 395

5. The remaining credits must be taken from a list of approved courses, available from the department, with no more than six credits in any one discipline

6. Students must pass a comprehensive literature proficiency examination conducted by the department before or during their last term prior to graduation.

HONORS: Qualified students may become candidates for Honors in German as early as the first term of their junior year; see department head for details.

German 111 (4)—Elementary German I

A course in elementary German which emphasizes the spoken language as well as grammar and reading. Staff.

Fall

German 112 (4)—Elementary German II

Prerequisite: German 111 or the equivalent. A course in elementary German which emphasizes the spoken language, as well as grammar and reading. Staff.

Winter

German 115 (3)—Elementary German
Conversation

Prerequisite: German 112 or the equivalent. The course is designed to provide training in German conversation for students as a transition from the elementary to the intermediate level. Staff.

Spring

German 261 (4)—Intermediate German I

Prerequisite: German 112, German 115 or the equivalent. Emphasis on listening comprehension and speaking, as well as reading and writing. The course also offers the student some acquaintance with German literature and culture. Staff.

Fall

German 262 (4)—Intermediate German II

Prerequisite: German 261 or the equivalent. Emphasis on listening comprehension and speaking, as well as reading and writing. The course also offers the student some acquaintance with German literature and culture. (FL, GE2) Staff.

Winter

German 263 (6)—Supervised Study Abroad:
Intermediate German

Prerequisite: German 111 and 112 completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better at W&L and approval of the International Education Committee. A period of direct exposure to the language at the intermediate level, and to the culture and people of Germany. The program includes supervised academic projects, lectures by native authorities, and other cultural activities. Additional details of the program, including some of special interest to students not majoring in German, are available from the department. Three credits may count toward major requirements. (FL, GE2) Staff.

Spring 2009 and alternate years

German 301 (3)—German Conversation

Prerequisite: German 261-262 or permission of the instructor. An intensive course stressing development of active German skills through conversation and some writing on cultural and practical subjects. Staff.

Spring

German 302 (3)—Business German

Prerequisite: German 262 or equivalent. Acquisition of specific vocabulary necessary to transact business in Germany or with German speakers. Readings in manufacturing, marketing, banking and the organization of the European Union. Business letter and résumé writing. Taught in German. Crockett.

Spring

German 303 (6 or 3-3)—Supervised Study Abroad

Prerequisites: German 261-262 with grade of B or better and an average of B in all German courses taken; or permission of the department; and approval of the International Education Committee. A period of direct exposure to the language, culture, and people of Germany. The program includes supervised academic projects, lectures by native authorities, and other cultural activities. Additional details of the program, including some of special interest to students not majoring in German, are available from the department. Staff.

Spring 2009 and alternate years

German 311 (3)—Advanced German

Prerequisite: German 261-262 or equivalent. Following a study of German phonology and the components of advanced German grammar, the course emphasizes spoken German, accompanied by written exercises. Kramer.

Fall

German 312 (3)—Advanced German

Prerequisites: German 303, 311 or departmental permission. A continuing course of advanced German with emphasis on the written language through composition and a study of stylistics. Advanced conversational material is drawn from topics relevant to contemporary life in the German-speaking world. Kramer.

Winter

German 313 (3)—German Literature, 1800-1850

Prerequisite: German 262, 263 or equivalent. The various phases of Romanticism. Tieck, Wackenroder, Brentano, Heine, Eichendorff, and E. T. A. Hoffmann are among the authors treated. (HL, GE3) Staff.

Fall 2007 and alternate years

German 314 (3)—German Literature, 1900-1945

Prerequisite: German 262, 263 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Readings in German fiction, essays, drama and poetry from the end of Naturalism through World War II. Mann, Kafka, Hesse, Rilke, Wedekind and Brecht are among the authors treated. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Crockett.

Winter 2008 and alternate years

German 315 (3)—German Literature, 1850-1900

Prerequisite: German 262, 263 or equivalent. Realism, Poetic Realism, and Naturalism. Grillparzer, Fontane, Keller, Storm, Meyer, and Hauptmann are among the authors read; study of the ballad as a literary form. (HL, GE3)Staff .

Fall 2008 and alternate years

German 316 (3)—German Literature, 1945 to
Present

Prerequisite: German 262, 263 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Readings in German fiction, essays, drama and poetry from the end of World War II to the present. Böll, Grass, Seghers, Dürrrenmatt, Frisch, Wolf and Strauss among the authors treated. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Crockett.

Winter 2009 and alternate years

German 318 (3)—German Medieval and

Renaissance Literature

Prerequisite: Any two of the following courses: German 313, 314, 315, 316 or permission of the instructor. An examination of selected works and a study of literary history through the 16th century. Medieval literary readings include the Hildebrandslied, Nibelungenlied, Parzival, and Tristan as well as the Minnesang. Consideration is also given to the history of the German literary language during the period covered. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Crockett.

Fall 2007 and alternate years

German 320 (3)—German Literature of the

17th and 18th Centuries

(Baroque and Aufklärung)

Prerequisite: Any two of the following courses: German 313, 314, 315, 316 or permission of the instructor. A study of representative works from the 17th and the first half of the 18th centuries, together with the literary history of the period and the history of the literary language. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Staff .

Fall

German 321 (3)—Seminar: Special Topics in

German Literature or Language

Prerequisite: German 262 or equivalent. The focus shifts annually from the examination of a specific period or author to a study of a specified genre, such as the lyric or the Novelle. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different. (HL when the topic is literary., GE3 when the topic is literary) Staff.

Spring

German 325 (3)—Highlights of German Civilization

Prerequisite: Any two of the following courses: German 313, 314, 315, 316 or permission of the instructor. A survey of significant developments in German civilization, particularly in the fields of history, art, and architecture. The course complements purely literary study undertaken in other courses and deepens the student’s understanding and appreciation of both literary work and actual study or travel in Germany. Conducted in German. (HU) Staff

Fall

German 332 (3)—Performing German

Prerequisite: German 262 or permission of the instructor. The reading, interpretation, preparation and performance of one or more German-language dramas. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different. A maximum of three credits may be used to meet major requirements. Crockett.

Winter

German 347 (3)—The Age of Goethe:
Sentimentalism to Sturm und Drang

Prerequisite: German 311 and 312 or equivalent. A study of dramatic, expository, narrative, and poetic works by the young Goethe, Schiller, and their contemporaries. While emphasizing the historical and sociopolitical context of this aesthetically revolutionary period, this course examines Germany’s turn toward Sentimentalism that culminates in the Sturm und Drang movement. Regular expository writing in German and performing in debates or scenes are required. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Kramer.

Fall 2007 and alternate years

German 349 (3)—The Age of Goethe: German Classicism

Prerequisite: German 311 and 312 or equivalent. A course that examines the influence of Greece on German theoretical, dramatic, and poetic works by the mature Goethe, Schiller, and their contemporaries, especially Hölderlin and Kleist. By investigating the extent to which German writers embraced or rejected Winckelmann’s stoic vision of Greek art and culture, this course aims to refine our understanding of German Classicism. Regular expository writing in German and performing in debates or scenes are required. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Kramer.

Fall 2006 and alternate years

German 395 (3)—Seminar

Prerequisite: German 347 or 349 or departmental permission. A seminar on a particular author, period, or genre. The subject changes annually. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different. Conducted in German. (HL, GE3) Staff .

Winter

German 401 (1), 402 (2), 403 (3)—Directed

Individual Study

Prerequisites: Six credits in German at the 300 level and permission of the department. A course that permits students to follow a program of directed reading or research. The nature and content of the course is determined by their needs and by the instructors acquainted with their earlier preparation and performance. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different. Staff.

German 493 (3-3)—Honors Thesis

Fall-Winter