GER 101 - Beginning German I: Language and Culture

An introduction to German language and culture. Practice in speaking, listening, reading, writing at the Novice level. Supplemented by multimedia and the Language Resource Center. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 4

 

GER 102 - Beginning German II: Language and Culture

Continuation of GER 101. Practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at novice and intermediate levels. German culture integrated throughout. Supplemented by multimedia and the Language Resource Center. Students may not receive credit for both GER 150 and GER 102. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 101, credit, or appropriate placement test score.
Credits: 4

 

GER 150 - Accelerated Beginning German I and II: Language and Culture

One semester accelerated review of beginning German for students with prior study. Covers the same material as GER 101 and GER 102. Not open to students with credit in GER 101, GER 102 or their equivalent. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school background or placement-test score.
Credits: 4

 

GER 180 - Special Topics in German

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 100-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Offered on sufficient demand.
Credits: 1 to 4

 

GER 201 - Intermediate German I: Language and Culture

Continuation of GER 102 or GER 150. Practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the intermediate level. German culture integrated throughout. Supplemented by multimedia and the Language Resource Center. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 102 or GER 150, credit, or appropriate placement test score.
Credits: 4

 

GER 202 - Intermediate German II: Language and Culture

Continuation of GER 201. Continued practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the intermediate level. Review of grammar and expansion of vocabulary. Focus on German culture through authentic texts and multimedia materials. Students who did not complete GER 201 at GVSU are strongly encouraged to take the free Placement Test in the Language Resource Center prior to registering. Counts toward the German minor (non-Education). Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in GER 201, credit, or appropriate placement test score.
Credits: 4

 

GER 280 - Special Topics in German

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 200-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. No more than four credits may be applied to the major or minor. Offered on sufficient demand. Prerequisite: GER 201.
Credits: 1 to 4

 

GER 301 - German Composition

This course provides extensive practice in written composition. Students review the finer points of German grammar and write texts in different genres. Students spend much of their time in class writing, peer editing, and revising their own work. Extensive reading assignments and work on reading strategies will expand reading skills. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: GER 202 with a C (not C-) or better, or by appropriate placement.
Credits: 3

 

GER 302 - German Conversation

This course provides extensive practice in speaking and listening to German. Students will learn to negotiate a variety of social situations and make effective presentations. Vocabulary building and development of communicative strategies are also incorporated. Listening skills will also be expanded through regular exercises featuring a variety of media. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: GER 202 with a grade of C (not C-) or better, or appropriate placement.
Credits: 3

 

GER 303 - Introduction to German Literature I

A brief survey of German literature from the Germanic period to the end of the seventeenth century. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 304 - Introduction to German Literature II

A survey of German literature from the eighteenth century to 1945. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 311 - The Long Nineteenth Century

Examines Germany during the "long 19th century", from the French Revolution to the onset of World War I. Considers the "German Question" and the development of Germany from an agrarian-based economy and a fragmented conglomeration of small states into a technologically advanced, modern national state. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and GER 302; one may be taken concurrently.
Credits: 3

 

GER 312 - Contemporary German Culture

The study of aspects of the culture of German-speaking countries from the post-war period to the present day. Topics include the separate development and subsequent reunification of two German states, coming to terms with the past, changing family and gender roles, and the arts. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 314 - Secondary Foreign Language Teaching Methods

Provides prospective French and German high school teachers with an introduction to foreign language acquisition theory and practical applications of language teaching pedagogy. Students will also observe language teachers in local high schools. Cross-listed with FRE 334. Offered winter semester. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Credits: 3

 

GER 315 - German Cinema

Examines major developments of German cinema, focusing primarily on postwar issues such as the separate West and East German states, reunified Germany, and coming to terms with the past. The course provides an overview of important movements, directors, and studios, and introduces the tools of film analysis. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 321 - Improving German Pronunciation 

This course is designed to help students sound more native like in their pronunciation of German. We will begin with difficult sounds and progress to word stress and sentence intonation. Listening comprehension will also be improved through targeted exercises. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: GER 202 with a C (not C-) or better.
Credits: 3

 

GER 322 - Introduction to German Linguistics

An introduction to general linguistics through modern German. Covers phonology, morphology, syntax, applied linguistics, dialectology, sociolinguistics and language change. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 331 - Business German 

Focuses on the language and culture of business in German-speaking countries in their European and global contexts. Topics covered include foreign trade, the European Union, globalization, commerce, banking, trade fairs, geographic aspects of business, and the environment. Practice in writing business documents such as resumes, letters, and company profiles. Offered fall semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: GER 301 and GER 302 (one may be taken concurrently).
Credits: 3

 

GER 341 - Advanced German Grammar

This course focuses primarily on reinforcing command of basic grammar and increasing understanding and mastery of advanced structures. Students will also improve their written and spoken fluency and expression through vocabulary learning, in-class discussions, and extensive reading and writing. Offered winter semester. Prerequisites: GER 301 & GER 302.
Credits: 3

 

GER 342 - Advanced Speaking Strategies and Skills

Development and assessment of speaking skills in German at the advanced level. Students engage in intensive practice of advanced level functions such as narrating in various time frames, producing extended discourse, stating and defending opinions, as well as advanced communicative strategies. Course offered winter semester of odd numbered years. Prerequisite: GER 301 and GER 302.
Credits: 3

 

GER 380 - Special Topics in German

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 300-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Offered on sufficient demand. Prerequisites: GER 301 and/or GER 302. Corequisite: GER 301 or GER 302 should be taken concurrently if not already completed.
Credits: 3

 

GER 385 - German Language

Of varying focus, the course makes use of the history, culture, and society of a host country in order to highlight disciplinary perspectives in context. To be taught in that country (or countries) as part of an approved study abroad program. By permit only. Credit may vary.
Credits: 3

 

GER 386 - German Culture and Society

Of varying focus, the course makes use of the history, culture, and society of a host country in order to highlight disciplinary perspectives in context. To be taught in that country (or countries) as part of an approved study abroad program. By permit only. Credit may vary.
Credits: 3

 

GER 401 - Modern German Literature

Continuation of GER 304. Covers writings from the latter half of the twentieth century to the present day and places them in their socio-cultural context. Poems, short stories, novellas and longer novels will be supplemented by clips from movies. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years. Prerequisites: Two 300-level courses beyond GER 301 and GER 302 or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3

 

GER 402 - German Authors

Reading and analysis of selected German authors within their cultural and historical context. The course is conducted in German. Class discussion and written assignments advance the students language and cultural competency in German. This course may be repeated for credit if the content is different. Prerequisites: Two 300-level courses beyond GER 301 and GER 302 or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3

 

GER 421 - History of the German Language

Presents the historical development of the German language and its dialects within the socio-historical context. Topics covered include the position of German within the Indo-European and Germanic language families, periods in the development of German, with representative literary genres and works, and the development of dialects of German. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: Two 300-level courses beyond GER 301 and GER 302 or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3

 

GER 480 - Special Topics in German

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 400-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Offered on sufficient demand.
Credits: 1 to 4

 

GER 495 - Advanced Topics in German (Capstone)

Interdisciplinary study of a major literary, cultural, historical, economic, or political period, genre, or movement from a cross-national perspective in an effort to produce a thesis that culminates the study of German as a major. Offered winter semester. Prerequisites: Senior standing with a major in German.
Credits: 3

 

GER 499 - Independent Study and Research

Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 1 to 4