Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Leonard R. Koos, Chair
Marcel Rotter, Career Advisor

Faculty

Associate Professor

Marcel Rotter

The German Program

Through courses in German, students gain linguistic proficiency, as well as understanding of the literatures and cultures of the German- speaking world. Laboratory facilities and electronic resources are used extensively to supplement classroom instruction. Upper-level classes are conducted primarily in German.

Double majors are possible, and non majors may also take advantage of the language program. The resident program director of this area is a native speaker of German and sponsors various inter-cultural programs.

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages cooperates with a variety of overseas study programs, advises and encourages students wishing to study abroad, and helps in planning their foreign study programs. Credits can be accepted from abroad to fulfill major requirements. UMW also offers a summer program in Germany. In Fall 2005, UMW entered a partnership with the University of Erfurt, making it possible for students to study a year or semester there.

Graduates in German may pursue careers in government or in private fields in which the knowledge of this language and culture is essential, including interpreting, translating, research, social services, education, or international business.

*For information regarding general education language requirements for students not currently majoring in Modern Foreign Languages, please see page 81-82 in this Catalog.

Requirements for the German Major

Thirty-two (32) credits in German including GERM 311; at least two courses chosen from 393, 394, and 395; and additional German courses at the 300- or 400-level and IDIS 350M.

Requirements for the Business German Minor

Twenty-six credits including:
• GERM 393
• GERM 394
• GERM 313
• GERM 317 or GERM 485b or GERM 485c
• GERM 499 or BUAD 499 or ECON 499 (for at least 1 credit)

and one of the following three-course combinations:

BUAD 131, 132, and one BUAD course on the 300 level or above

OR

ECON 201, 202, and one ECON course on the 300 level or above. Business German minors can take no more than 29 credits in Business without declaring a Business major.

Requirements for the German Minor

Twenty-six credits including
• GERM 201
• GERM 202
• GERM 393
• GERM 394

and any three additional courses (4cr. each) at or above the 300 level. If the student can demonstrate intermediate language competency through one of the accepted exams and, consequently, does not have to take GERM 201 and GERM 202, he or she will replace those courses with additional courses at or above the 300 level.

German Course Offerings (GERM)

101, 102 – Beginning German (3, 3)

Grammar, emphasis on gaining rapid comprehension and developing fluency in spoken German. Introduction to reading German. Learning to write German. Students with credit for a higher level course in German may not take this course.

201, 202 – Intermediate German (3, 3)

Prerequisites: germ 102 or equivalent for 201; germ 201 or equivalent for 202. Grammar review, concentration on reading for comprehension. Honing of oral skills and writing German. Readings in German 202 focus on global issues. Students with credit for a higher level course in German may not take this course.

301 – Study Abroad Reflection (1)

Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent. A reflection course for students of German to complete after returning from an approved study abroad program in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

311 – Introduction to German Literature (4)

Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent. Emphasizes texts from the 19th and 20th centuries. Close attention paid to form, content, motifs, character analysis, and social and cultural background.

313 – Business German (4)

Prerequisite: GERM 393 or equivalent This course provides students with the basic communicative skills in the German language as used in German business and economics. It introduces students to the economic role of the German-speaking countries in the global economy. Topics include German economic geography, German business and economics terminology in finance, the social welfare system, transport system, the structure of corporations, and the code of behavior in the business world. Students will develop their skills in listening comprehension, reading comprehension, speaking, and writing.

317 – German Civilization (4)

Recommendations: two German 300-level courses. Survey of the culture and civilization of the German-speaking areas, with emphasis on Germany.

320 – UMW in Erfurt (4)

Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent. This is a summer course in German language and culture taught on site in Erfurt, with focus on the various forms of artistic and journalistic expression, as well as the geography, history, and social structure of this central area of Germany, Thuringia, the “green heart” of Germany.

375 – German Literature: the Enlightenment through Romanticism (4)

Recommendations: two German 300-level courses. Representative authors such as Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, Kleist, Novalis, Hoffmann, Brentano, Eichendorff.

376 – German Literature: Post-Romanticism to Turn of the Century (4)

Recommendations: two German 300-level courses. Representative authors such as Heine, Büchner, Grillparzer, Droste-Hülshoff, Hebbel, Storm, Keller, Fontane, Hauptmann.

385, 386 – German Literature of the Twentieth Century (4, 4)

Recommendations: two German 300-level courses. Representative authors such as Hofmannsthal, Mann, Kafka, Brecht, Böll, Frisch, Grass, Handke, Bachmann, Wolf, Arjouni.

393, 394, 395 – Advanced Grammar, Conversation, Composition (4, 4, 4)

Prerequisites: GERM 202 must be completed before starting this sequence. GERM 394 is a prerequisite for 395. Intensive written and oral language practice. Designed to expand the student’s active vocabulary and help the student develop his or her own style. Emphasis on global issues in 394 and 395.

485 – Seminar in German (4)

Prerequisites: two German 300-level courses. Selected topics in German literature, German cultural studies, or Germanic linguistics.

491, 492 – Individual Study (1-6, 1-6)

Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor.

499 – Internship (1-6)

Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Supervised off-campus experience developed in consultation with the department. No credit toward major.

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