Course Catalog - German
German 101, 102 - Elementary German 1, 2
Annually
Designed for students with no previous study of German, aimed at the acquisition of a basic speaking, reading and writing knowledge. Five class hours weekly and laboratory practice. One and one-quarter units each semester.
German 201, 202 - Intermediate German 1, 2
Annually
A review of the fundamentals of the German language, supplemented by readings in literary and cultural texts as well as practice in oral and written expression. Prerequisite: German 102 or the equivalent. Five class hours weekly and laboratory practice. One and one quarter units each semester.
German 250 - Metropolis Berlin
Every third year
The city of Berlin represents a microcosm of change and growth in European society yet maintains a unique identity. Its development from a royal city to the capital of a united Germany will be examined through the lenses of literature, film, art, and architecture. In English. One unit.
German 251 - German Resistance to Hitler
Every third year
Explores the various forms of German resistance to Hitler during the Third Reich (1933-1945) and discusses the difficulties such opposition faced in a totalitarian regime. Against the backdrop of the Hitler dictatorship the many forms of resistance in the Third Reich are discussed, ranging from a whispered joke to a full-fledged coup d’état in 1944 by the Stauffenberg circle. In English. One unit.
German 252 - From Weimar to Hitler: German Culture and Politics from 1918 to 1945
Every third year
The turbulent 14 years of the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) and the 12 years of the Third Reich (1933-1945) are the focus. Though politically unstable, the Weimar Republic witnessed an unprecedented cultural flowering and the first truly modern culture. The second part of the course deals with the Third Reich-a period of political repression, cultural regimentation, a destructive war and the Holocaust. In English. One unit.
German 253 - Nazi and Postwar German Cinema
Alternate years
Films produced during the Third Reich played a crucial role in the mass culture of that regime. The course examines selected films made during that time as well as cinematic representations of the Hitler years during the postwar period to show how German film makers tried to come to terms with the Nazi past of their country. In English. One unit.
German 301 - German Composition and Conversation
Fall
Designed for students wishing to acquire proficiency in spoken and written German. Discussions of problems dealing with German culture and students’ daily concerns and interests. Weekly oral and written assignments with grammar review as necessary. Required for German majors and recommended for first-year students with advanced placement. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. In German. One unit.
German 303 - German Culture: 1750-1890
Alternate years in spring
An introduction to outstanding examples of German thought, art, and cultural developments in the 18th and 19th centuries. Important German cultural figures such as Frederick the Great, Goethe, Beethoven, Nietzsche and Marx are discussed. Readings, lectures, and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 304 - German Culture: The 20th Century
Alternate years in spring
An introduction to political and cultural developments in Germany in the 20th century. Aspects of the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, East and West Germany, and the United Germany are studied. Readings, lectures, and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 401 - Goethe and Schiller
Every third year in spring
Analysis of representative works of Lessing, Goethe, Schiller and their contemporaries within the context of the German Enlightenment and German Idealism and their major philosophical, aesthetic and moral concerns. Readings and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 402 - German Romanticism
Every third year in spring
A study of selected Romantic writings against the background of related developments in the arts and in philosophy. Analysis of works by Tieck, Novalis, Brentano, Eichendorff, Hölderlin, E.T.A. Hoffmann and others. Readings and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 403 - 19th-Century German Literature Every third year in spring
A study of German literature in the age of bur
geoning industrialism and materialism, extending from the late romanticism through the era of realism. Works of representative authors such as Heine, Büchner, Grillparzer, Droste-Hülshoff, Stifter, Keller, Meyer and Fontane. Readings and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 404 - Modern German Theater
Every third year in fall
Analysis of the major movements and playwrights of modern German theater studied against their historical and ideological background. Readings of works by Hauptmann, Kaiser, Schnitzler, Hofmannsthal, Brecht, Frisch, Dürrenmatt, Weiss and others. Readings and discussion in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 405 - Kafka, Hesse, Mann and Their Contemporaries
Every third year in fall
Introduction to the most significant masters of German prose in the first half of the 20th century. Works of representative writers such as Hauptmann, Schnitzler, Mann, Kafka, Hesse, Brecht. Readings and discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 406 - Contemporary German Literature
Every third year in fall
A study of the literature written in German after World War II reflecting experiences of life as seen by representative authors of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Switzerland, Austria and the newly unified Germany. Selected works by Borchert, Grass, Böll, Frisch, Christa Wolf, Dürrenmatt, Plenzdorf, Handke and Biermann. Prerequisite: German 202 or the equivalent. One unit.
German 461, 462 - Special Topics in German Literature and Culture
Alternate years
Intensive study of a special aspect of German literature such as themes, genres or movements. Topics announced in the preceding semester. Given in German or English according to staff decision. Recent topics: Brecht and the Political Theater, European Romanticism, Existentialism in German Literature. One unit each semester.
German 491, 492 - Third-Year Tutorial
Annually
Eligible third-year students may elect German 491, 492 with permission of department chair and instructor. Topics to be determined by instructor. Recent topics: Modern German Drama, East German Literature. One unit each semester.
German 493, 494 - Fourth-Year Tutorial
Annually
Eligible fourth-year students concentrating in German may elect German 493, 494 with permission of department chair and instructor. Recent topics: Bertolt Brecht, The Literature of the Third Reich, East German Fiction, Thomas Mann, the “Wall” in East and West German Literature, Theodor Fontane. Topics to be determined by instructor. One unit each semester.
* The courses and descriptions listed above are taken directly from the official College Catalog.