Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

You are here: Home » German » Course Offerings » Courses Fall 2018
Document Actions

Courses Fall 2018

Elementary & Intermediate German Language Courses


GERMN 101: Elementary German I (3 hours, 3 credits)
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01
Mon & Thurs
8:10am-9:25am
22621
Bloom
509B West
02
Tues & Fri 11:10am-12:25pm
22623
Raninger
611 West
03
Tues & Fri
2:10pm-3:25pm
22622
Koch
509B West
04 Mon & Thurs 2:45pm-4:00pm 22624
Anderson
509A West
05 CANCELED Mon & Thurs
4:10pm-5:25pm 22625
Nicolai
509B West
06 Tues & Thurs
5:35pm-6:50pm 22759
Fiedler 611 West
07
Tues & Thurs 4:10pm-5:25pm
23576
Wicker
413 West

Click here for course description.

101 fulfills the "World Cultures" category of the Hunter Core.

 

GERMN 102: Elementary German II (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 101 or equivalent
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01
Mon & Thurs
9:45am-11:00am
22626
Raninger
611 West
02
Tues & Fri 11:10am-12:25pm
22627
Koch 509B West
03 CANCELED Tues & Fri 3:45pm-5:00pm 22628
Raninger
509B West
04 Mon & Wed 5:35pm-6:50pm 22760
Fiedler
509B West
05 CANCELED
Mon & Thurs
1:10pm-2:25pm
23577
Strohmeier
TH 505

Click here for course description

GERMN 102 counts towards the Hunter Focus.

 

GERMN 103: Intensive Elementary German I & II (6 hours, 6 credits)
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01
M, W, Th 11:10am-1:00pm 23995 Merolle
509B West

Click here for course description.

GERMN 103 fulfills "World Cultures" of the Hunter Core and counts towards the Hunter Focus.

 

GERMN 201: Intermediate German I (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103 or equivalent
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01
Tues & Fri
9:45am-11:00am
22761
Koch 611 West
02 Mon & Thurs 2:45pm-4:00pm 22629
Strohmeier
611 West
03
Tues & Thurs 5:35pm-6:50pm 22630 Wicker
509B West

Click here for course description

GERMN 201 counts towards the Hunter Focus.

 

GERMN 202: Intermediate German II (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 201 or equivalent
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01
Mon & Thurs
9:45am-11:00am
22631
Strohmeier
509B West
02 Tues & Fri
12:45pm-2:00pm 22762 Wicker 611 West

Click here for course description.

GERMN 202 counts towards the Hunter Focus.

 


Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses: Level I

(What is the difference between Level I and Level II courses?)

GERMN 301: Advanced German Comprehension & Conversation (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent. Fulfills requirement GER 3/A.
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01 Mon & Thurs 1:10pm-2:25pm 22635 Zimmerman
509B West

Click here for course description.

 

GERMN 335: German Radio Plays: (Hoerspiel)  (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent. Fulfills requirements GER 3/A and PD/D.
Section Days Time Code Instructor Room
01 Mon & Thurs 2:45pm-4:00pm 32572 Zimmerman 509B West

Click here for course description.

 

GERMN 336: German Lyric Poetry (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent. Fulfills requirements GER 3/A and PD/D.
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01 Mon & Thurs
4:10pm-5:25pm
32573 Anderson
611 West

Click here for course description.

 

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses: Level II

GERMN 345: Literature of the Weimar Republic  (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: One Course numbered from GERMN 320 to 359 or equivalent.
Fulfills requirements GER 3/A  and PD/D
.
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01 CANCELED Mon & Thurs 11:10am-12:25pm
32574 Nicolai 611 West

Click here for course description.

 

GERMN 38503: German Grammar for Upper-Level Discourse  (3 hours, 3 credits)
Prereq: Three courses above GERMN 300 or equivalent. GER 3/A.
Section
Days Time Code Instructor Room
01 Mon & Thurs 1:10pm-2:25pm
32575 Merolle 611 West
Click here for course description.

 

Courses in German Literature & Civilization (Conducted in English)

GERMN 240: German Thought & Culture (3 hours, 3 credits)
Pre-req- or Coreq: ENGL 120. Fulfills requirements GER 2/C and PD/D and Writing ("W").
Section
Day Time Code Instructor Room
01 CANCELED Mon & Thurs 9:45am-11:00am
22632
Merolle 1143 West

Click here for course description.

GERMN 241: German Fairy Tales (3 hours, 3 credits)
Pre- or Coreq: ENGL 120. Fulfills requirements GER 2/C and PD/D and Writing ("W").
Section
Day Time Code Instructor Room
01 Saturday
8:10am-11:00am
22633
Titze 611 West
02 Mon & Thurs 8:10am-9:25am 22634
Titze 611 West
03 Mon & Thurs 11:10am-12:25pm 21708
Strohmeier 611 West
04 Tues & Fri 8:10am-9:25am 24640
Titze 611 West
(HC1) Mon & Thurs 9:45am-11:00am 23171
Zimmerman 623 West

241 Fulfills the "Creative Expression" category of the Hunter core.

Click here for course description.

 

 

Course Descriptions


Elementary & Intermediate German Language Courses

GERMN 101:  Elementary German I  3hrs, 3crs.

No pre-req required.

This course is for students without prior knowledge of German. It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch I, ISBN 0-07-285376-x

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 102:  Elementary German II  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 101 or equivalent.

This course continues the work of GERMN 101. It broadens linguistic and cultural abilities for basic communication in a German-speaking environment. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch II, ISBN 0-07-3019364

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 103:  Intensive Elementary German I & II  3hrs, 3crs.

No pre-req required.

This course is intended for students with no prior knowledge of German.  It covers in ONE semester the material normally covered in two semesters, in GERMN 101-102.  It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch I and II, ISBN 0-07-285376-x; ISBN 0-07-3019364

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 201:  Intermediate German I  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103 or equivalent.

This course is the third in a four-semester sequence and continues the linguistic and cultural introduction to German. Review and practice of elementary grammar; introduction of advanced forms. Reading and discussion of selected texts. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch III, ISBN 0-07-24397-8

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 202:  Intermediate German II  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 201 or equivalent.

Continued broadening of abilities in speaking, listening, reading, writing. Reading and discussion of selected literary texts. Strong emphasis on active student participation. Regular attendance and daily homework are important elements in this course. Completion of this course fulfills the Hunter College foreign language requirement. Students at this level will normally be tested by both written and oral examination.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch III, ISBN 0-07-24397-8; additional handouts

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

Advanced German Language, Literature & Culture Courses

 

 

What is the difference between Level I and Level II advanced courses?

The advanced German courses are divided into two levels.  We expect students to take at least two literature courses at Level I before proceeding to Level II.  If you are in any doubt as to which course you should take, or if you have previous knowledge of German, please consult the chair of the department. All of these courses are conducted in German. All 300-level courses in German plus 444 count as Focused Exposure Stage 3, Group A.

Level I courses are intended for students who have recently completed GERMN 202 or 203 and who have only limited experience discussing German literature in German, orally and in writing. They are not intended for native speakers.

Level II courses are intended for advanced students who have taken a number of 300-level German language and literature courses and who may be interested in going on to use the German language professionally. They are thus meant to help students move to the highest levels of the undergraduate program and beyond. Students enrolled in Level II courses have the opportunity to take the B2 and C1 exams, the professional certificates of advanced language competence administered by the Goethe Institute. The exams are given each spring. Fees charged by the Goethe Institute will be announced in advance.

 

GERMN 301:  Advanced German Comprehension & Conversation  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent. GER 3/A

The course is designed to develop the conversational and compositional skills. There will be intensive practice of contemporary spoken and written German with emphasis on vocabulary and idiom, and on active mastery of grammatical forms. Audio material will be used to strengthen comprehension skills. Regular preparation in writing is required for group work and class dialogues. The course prepares students to take the examination for the B1 examination, the professional certificate of basic language competence administered by the Goethe Institute. The exam is given each spring. Fees charged by the Goethe Institute will be announced in advance.
Exam Format: Essays and Oral presentations.
Textbook: The free e-book "Advanced Composition and Conversation" by Dr. Zimmerman is provided by instructor." Ipads are provided on loan to the students for use during the semester to access the e-book. This is a Z course, i.e. a Zero Cost course, as the e-book is provided free of charge.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 335:  German Radio Plays (Hoerspiel)  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq:  Germn 202 or 203 or equivalent. GER 3/A, PD/D “W”course

Often described as “cinema for the ears”, German radio plays (Hörspiele) are generally of high literary quality, and have been popular for decades. Well know authors such as Ilse Aichinger, Ingeborg Bachmann, Heinrich Böll, and Friedrich Dürrenmatt have written them. We will study Hörspiele by a number of authors.
The primary aim of the course is to develop students’ listening comprehension in German. The secondary stress will be placed on speaking and writing ability. Students will listen to plays both in and outside of class (in the Chanin Lab Center, on the web, or as podcasts via Blackboard). Copies of play texts will be made available after listening. There will be writing assignments in German.
Exam format: midterm and final exams
Texts: none
Textbook:
You will be given extensive handout material. This is a Z course, i.e. a Zero Cost course as there is no charge for these handouts, and the radio plays are accessed in the Chanin Lab Center, on the web, or as podcasts via Blackboard, free of cost.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 336: German Lyric Poetry  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent. GER 3/A; PD/D This course is conducted in German.

Reading poetry is one of the best ways to learn a language: it forces you to focus on the sound and rhythm of the language, as well as your comprehension of the content. As relatively short readings, poems allow you to engage with them deeply, often in exacting detail. Of course, German poetry has a long and distinguished history from the Middle Ages to the present. In this course, we will read and discuss German poetry mainly from the classical period to the present, studying such authors as Goethe, Schiller, Hölderlin, Heine, Droste-Hülshoff, Nietzsche, George, Rilke, Lasker-Schüler, Trakl, Brecht, Celan, Bachmann, and Enzensberger.
This course is for students who have little or no experience studying literature in German. It is designed to increase students’ familiarity with literary history and form, as well as German culture. It is also designed to improve students’ reading comprehension, oral proficiency, and written proficiency in German. The course will be conducted in German.
Attendance and participation; regular readings; regular written work including short papers; a presentation.
Required Texts: None

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.


GERMN 345:  Literature of the Weimar Republic  3hrs, 3crs. 

Prereq: One course numbered from GERMN 320 to 359 or equivalent.  GER 3/A, PD/D

In this course, we will primarily take a look at the “roaring twenties” as they played out in Germany with Berlin at its center. The 13 years of the first German democracy were a time of immense creativity in literature, music and art but also a time of political turmoil, particularly towards the end of the Republic when left and right-wing political movements clashed and eventually gave way to Hitler’s rise to power in 1933.
To depict the various facets of literature and politics as well as music and art, we will primarily be reading and discussing literature written in Germany between the end of the First World War (1918) and the beginning of the "Third Reich" (1933). We will deal with writings by such authors as Hans Fallada, Bertolt Brecht, Alfred Döblin, Irmgard Keun and others. Popular Music of the twenties, Schlager, will be included in addition to film, architecture, e.g. Bauhaus, and paintings by George Grosz, Otto Dix, and Max Beckmann. We shall be concerned with the complicated interaction of literature, art and politics in this period and we shall work at building the vocabulary and linguistic skills to deal with this kind of topic. Emphasis in this course will be placed on student participation. Individualized speaking and writing assignments will take each student's proficiency level into consideration. There will be three 4-5-page-papers or a number of shorter writing assignments depending on the students’ level of linguistic competency, as well as midterm and final examinations. The course is open to native speakers of German. All reading, writing, and discussion will be in German.
Exam format: written midterm and final exams
Textbooks: Hans Fallada, Kleiner Mann - was nun?!, ISBN 3-499-10001-0, price currently $11.00 Irmgard Keun, Das kunstseidene Mädchen, ISBN 3-548-60085-9 price currently $9.52 
A possible third novel will be decided on once the students’ linguistic proficiency will have been assessed. In addition, there will be xeroxed texts to be distributed as well as online resources to be given. The texts will be ordered by the instructor, not through a bookstore. Students should have the same editions to facilitate class discussion and referencing.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

 

GERMN 38503:  German Grammar for Upper-Level Discourse  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq:  Three courses above GERMN 300 or equivalent. GER 3/A

During the first half of this course, we shall aim at functional control of all items of basic grammar, working intensively with the tasks of narration and describing.  Building on this, we shall proceed in the second half of the semester to work with more complex grammatical structures which one must master in order to state and defend opinions, to hypothesize, to argue abstractly, in short, to speak and write at a high level of literacy.  We shall work throughout the semester not only on the active skills of speaking and writing, but also on the ability to comprehend spoken and written German. Expect regular homework. There will be two or three brief in-class presentations in German per student concentrating on narration, hypothesizing, and supporting an opinion.
Discussion of grammar and syntax will take place in the English language and comparisons with English grammar will be made.  While English will be the language of explanations, all functional practice and assignments will be in German.
Exam format:  written midterm and final exams.
Textbook: We will work with a variety of materials, which will be xeroxed or presented on line.
Recommended books: Basic Review: Elke Gschossmann-Hendershot and Lois Feuerle, Schaum's Outline of German Grammar, 4th ed (Schaum's Outline Series)  (Sep 1, 2010); ISBN-13: 978-0071615679
Advanced and very thorough: Hammer's German Grammar and Usage, fifth edition, Martin Durrell, Routledge. ISBN 13: 978 1 444 12016 5
Interplay of vocabulary and grammar: Brigitte Turneaure, Der treffende Ausdruck: Texte, Themen, Übungen. Paperback, W. W. Norton & Company; 2nd edition (September 1996); ISBN-13: 978-0393968231


Courses Conducted in English

 

GERMN 240:  German Thought and Culture  3hrs, 3crs

Pre-or Coreq: Engl 120. GER 2/C, PD/D, "W"

This course is an introduction to some of the most famous texts and ideas that have come to us from the German-speaking world. We will read (in English translation) and discuss the work of major writers in literary, philosophical, political and other fields. Throughout, we will consider these works in their historical context make connections to music and visual arts and will possibly also explore the German cultural offerings in New York City today. Because this is a writing-intensive course, students will do significant writing and revising.
Assigned texts and excerpts can be accessed free of charge on the internet or will be distributed in class. These may include:
·    Immanuel Kant: What is Enlightenment?
·    Arthur Schopenhauer: “On the Suffering of the World
·    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: The Sorrows of Young Werther (excerpts)
·    Brothers Grimm: Hansel and Gretel
·    Heinrich Heine: Lore-Ley
·    Marx & Engels: The Communist Manifesto
·    Sigmund Freud: Ego, Id, Superego (excerpt)
·    Sigmund Freud: On Transience
·    Franz Kafka: A Hunger Artist
·    Nelly Sachs: O Chimneys
·    Paul Celan: Death Fugue
·    Hannah Arendt: The Origins of Totalitarianism (excerpt)
     Films:
·    M (99 min)
·    The Life of Others (137 min)
Course Requirements: Regular attendance and participation; regular reading and writing assignments, including papers; exams or final project

GERMN 241:  German Fairy Tales  3hrs, 3crs.

Pre-or Coreq: Engl 120. GER 2/C, PD/D, "W"

Fairy tales are known all over the world. The most famous European book of fairy tales is the one collected by the Brothers Grimm. These stories have entered our collective unconscious but are not easily explained. We shall look at various attempts to explain what fairy tales are all about, look at older stories that served as models for the Brothers Grimm, and study modern versions of the tales, including a Walt Disney movie and “politically correct fairy tales.” Students will read fairy tales, tell one that they know, and write three short papers, a midterm and final examination. All readings, discussions and written work will be in English. This course has a “W” designation.
Exam format:
written midterm and final exams
Textbooks: Jack Zipes, The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ISBN 978-0553382167
Joanna Cole, Best-Loved Folktales of the World, ISBN 978-0318796482 or ISBN 9780385189491

« March 2024 »
March
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
Go to full calendar…