Elementary German Language Courses

Intermediate German Language Courses

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses

Courses in German Literature & Civilization (Conducted in English) 

Course Descriptions

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

Prereq: None.

This course is for beginners 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, Vol 1. ISBN 9781524996246

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, Vol 2. ISBN 9781524996253  

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

GERMN 103:  Intensive Elementary German  6hrs, 6crs.

Prereq: None.

This course is for beginners without prior knowledge of German. It covers in ONE semester the material normally covered in TWO, from 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, Vol 1. ISBN 9781524996246 AND Access to German, Jägerbuch, Vol 2. ISBN 9781524996253

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, Vol 3. ISBN 9780201814224

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, Vol 3. ISBN 9780201814224

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

GERMN 24100:  German Fairy Tales  3hrs, 3crs.

Pre- or Coreq: ENGL 120.

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 at explaining 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 scenes from Walt Disney movies and "politically correct fairy tales." Students will read fairy tales, tell one that they know, and there will be regular written assignments, 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
Required Reading: Jack Zipes, The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ISBN 9780553382167
Joanna Cole, Best-Loved Folktales of the World, ISBN 9780318796482 or ISBN 9780385189491

GERMN 32060:  German Grammar Through Music  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 equivalent.

In this course, students will learn German grammar through the medium of music. By analyzing and studying German songs, students will develop a deeper understanding of the language's grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. The course will focus on using songs from various genres and time periods to expose students to a wide range of language and cultural experiences. The course will be taught entirely in German and is suitable for intermediate and advanced-level students. Each lesson will involve listening to a song, analyzing its lyrics, and identifying the grammar rules and structures used. Students will learn how to use these grammatical rules and structures to improve their own writing and speaking skills. The course will cover topics such as verb conjugation, sentence structure, and the use of cases. Students will also study the cultural aspects of German music and learn about the historical and social contexts of the songs they study. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of German grammar and will be able to apply this knowledge to their own writing and speaking. They will also have a deeper appreciation for German music and culture. 
Exam Format: Quizzes, midterms, and final exams.
Textbook: You will be given extensive handout materials. This is a "zero-cost" course, these materials will be provided to you free of charge. 

GERMN 32100:  Individual and Society in Modern German Literature  3hrs, 3crs.

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent.

Modern and contemporary writers often structure their work around the relationships between individuals and the society of which they are a part. In this class, students will engage in close readings of stories and plays by Franz Kafka, Bertolt Brecht, and Max Frisch among others, considering how these authors define and understand the concepts of the "individual" and "society." Students will examine how their characters try to negotiate conflicts between individual liberty and societal resposibility or constraint. Students will likewise ask how various components of identity (e.g. nationality, race, gender, religion) affect interactions within families and broader communities. 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 German culture, and improve students' reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in German. This course will be conducted entirely in German 
Textbook: Students must purchase two texts; others will be provided digitally or via photocopy - Andorra, Max Frisch, ISBN 978351836773 and Die Verwandlung, Franz Kafka, ISBN 9783150099001

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.

During the first half of this course our aim shall be at functional control of all items of basic grammar, working intensively with the tasks of narration and describing. Building upon this in the second half of the semester, students shall proceed to work with the more complex grammatical structures, which are necessary for one to master in order to state and defend opinions, hypothesize and argue abstractly - in short - to speak and write at a high level of literacy. Students shall work throughout the semester not only on the active skills of speaking and writing, but also on their ability to comprehend spoken and written German. Students should expect regular homework, as well as two to three brief in-class presentations throughout the semester. While English will be the language of explanations (with discussions of grammar and syntax and comparisons to English grammar all being conducted in English) all functional practices and assignments will be in German.  
Exam format: Written midterm and final exam
Textbook: You will be given extensive handout materials. This is a "zero-cost" course, these materials will be provided to you free of charge. 

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