Courses in German for Spring 2023

Courses Spring 2023 

German 1 (5) Elementary German I. Euba.
(Taught in German)

Fall/Spring. Five units; classes meet two or five times a week. Prerequisite: German 1 is intended for students who have not previously taken courses in German.

Course Objectives:
This introduction to the German language focuses on the development of basic communicative competencies (spoken and written) while sensitizing students to the links between language and culture. Students will be able to understand and use high frequency vocabulary and basic grammatical structures and engage with a broad variety of texts from various genres, including poetry, news reports, songs, and the visual arts. 

German 2 (5) Elementary German II. Euba.
(Taught in German)

Fall/Spring. Five units; classes meet five times a week. Prerequisite: 1 semester of college-level German or equivalent.

Course Objectives:
This German language course continues the development of basic communicative competencies (spoken and written) while sensitizing students to the links between language and culture. Students will be able to understand and use high frequency vocabulary and basic grammatical structures and engage with a broad variety of texts from various genres, including poetry, news reports, songs, and the visual arts. 

German 3 (5) Intermediate German I/Topics in German Language and Cultural History. Euba
(Taught in German)

Fall/Spring. Five units; classes meet five times a week. Prerequisite: 2 semesters of college-level German or equivalent.

Course Objectives:
Embedded in the context of German-speaking regions, their history and culture, this course focuses on the development of communicative competencies (spoken and written), the expansion of vocabulary, and the review and practice of grammatical structures. Students will be guided towards more creative and analytical expression by engaging with texts from a variety of genres such as poetry, drama, news features, and the visual arts.

German 4 (5) Intermediate German II/Topics in German Language and Culture. Euba
(Taught in German)

Fall/Spring. Five units; classes meet five times a week. Prerequisite: 3 semesters of college-level German or equivalent.

German 101 (3) Advanced German Conversation, Composition, and Style. Staff
(Taught in German)

Prerequisite: 4 semesters of college-level German or equivalent.

Objectives: Focusing on genres, this advanced level language course will help students to improve and expand on spoken and written language functions utilizing a variety of works from literature, journalism, broadcasting, fine arts and the cinema. The final goal is to enable students to participate in the academic discourse – written and spoken – at a linguistic and stylistic level appropriate for an advanced student of German in upper division courses. Readings and Discussions in German.

German 102A (3) German Cabaret. Euba
(Taught in German)

The analysis, discussion, adaptation and public performance of authentic texts from German Kabarett (i.e., comedic skits, political and social satire, parody, humorous poetry, etc.) will advance students’ language and interpersonal skills, while providing unique access to a significant dimension of German popular culture. Additional emphasis is put on aspects and practice of creative writing and German pronunciation and enunciation. (Note: Students can only take one course from the 102 series to apply to the major or minor!)

German 131 (4) Goethe. Tang

No other writer has shaped the self-understanding of German literature and culture more profoundly and more lastingly than Johan Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832). Although the cult of Goethe, often associated with German nationalism, had long passed, his prodigious works continue to inspire, to delight, and to challenge readers and scholars, always offering guidance for understanding the human condition. Based on close readings of some of Goethe’s most beloved masterpieces, this course investigates three interrelated issues that are of particular relevance to our present age: the modern self as a desiring, entrepreneurial subject; the human relationship to the natural environment; migration and translation of cultures. At the same time, we will also learn to appreciate literary works of art by means of methodical textual analysis. Readings include Werther, Faust, Iphigenie, as well as selected lyric poetry and short prose. Lecture and discussions in English. Readings in either German or English. Students may use this course to fulfil the requirements of a German-taught cause by reading the texts in the German original.