First-Year Courses in GermanConsult the new Course Guide at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg_subjectlist/0,2030,8,00.html?show=20&termArray=f_04_1510&cgtype=ug This page was created at 12:58 PM on Wed, May 5, 2004. Fall Academic Term, 2004 (September 7 - December 23)At every level of our language program, we strive to appeal to the cognitive abilities and intellectual curiosity of adult students. Our language courses focus systematically on the development of all four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), while emphasizing context and meaning at all levels and in all spheres of the language acquisition process. It is fundamental to our program that all language courses encourage students to explore other world-views and learn to think critically about culture. The goals for the first two years of language study include increasing the level of proficiency in beginning and intermediate language students, working towards a closer fit with the developing Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) program, and meeting the needs and interests of the majority of students so that they will find the language requirement stimulating and useful. We believe that language learning is and should be fun in every sense of the word, and we hope that our courses live up to this. Our special topics courses (GERMAN 232) are meant to provide an introduction to the discourse and substance of various disciplines in German and thus become stepping stones to LAC courses and to coursework outside of the German concentration proper. These special topics include courses on German politics and economics, history, music, art, anthropology, film, literary topics, engineering, and mathematical and scientific German. Upon completion of the fourth-term course, students are strongly encouraged to pursue an internship or study abroad in Germany. The German department and the Office of International Programs provide extensive assistance to students interested in doing this: students who go each year come back excited about their experience, and speaking excellent German. Intermediate and advanced courses are designed both to enhance language skills and to explore central issues in all areas of German Studies. These courses are open not just to concentrators and minors but also to all students who meet prerequisites regardless of concentration area. Students who enter the University with a background in the German language are strongly urged to continue their study of the language without interruption during their first and second years. GERMAN 101. Elementary Course.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: All students with prior coursework in German must take the placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 100 or 103. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. GERMAN 101 is an introductory course for students who have not previously studied German. Few things are more fun and exciting than learning a new language for the first time, and we hope students will approach the course in this spirit. The course focuses systematically on the development of all four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), and aims to do this by taking advantage of the cognitive advantages adult language learners have over children. This means focusing on material that will engage learners' interest, creativity, and sense of humor, as well as on the development of effective language learning strategies. The course will include in particular a series of videotaped lectures by distinguished University of Michigan German studies faculty on culture, history, economics, philosophy, music, linguistics, and literature, televised over UMTV, which will give students a taste of how they can eventually take advantage of the wide range of language opportunities at the University of Michigan, such as the specialty GERMAN 232 courses (see below) and the subsequent sequences of courses in areas of study ranging from Business and Science to Literature and Philosophy. By the end of the term, students will have a firm foundation in some of the fundamental elements of German grammar and will be able to understand and respond appropriately to a variety of texts and basic conversational situations. Required Texts:
Recommended:
GERMAN 103. Review of Elementary German.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: Assignment by placement test or permission of department. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 100, 101, or 102. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. GERMAN 103 provides a review of the fundamental components of the German language for students who have had prior German language instruction before entering the University of Michigan. The course focuses systematically on all four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), and aims to take advantage of the cognitive advantages adult language learners have over children. This means focusing on material that will engage learners' interest, creativity, and sense of humor, as well as on the development of effective language learning strategies. The course will include in particular a series of videotaped lectures by distinguished University of Michigan German studies faculty on culture, history, economics, philosophy, music, linguistics and literature, televised over UMTV, which will give students a taste of how they can eventually take advantage of the wide range of language opportunities at the University of Michigan, such as the specialty GERMAN 232 courses (see above) and the subsequent sequences of courses in areas of study ranging from Business and Science to Literature and Philosophy. By the end of the term, students will have been exposed to all the essentials of German grammar, which will then be reviewed and extended in the third and fourth terms. Students will be able to cope with a variety of conversational situations and written texts. In particular, they will have the necessary "survival skills" for a visit to a German-speaking country, as well as a foundation for doing intellectual work in German. Required Texts:
Recommended Texts:
GERMAN 171 / HISTORY 171. Coming to Terms with Germany.
German Literature and Culture in EnglishSection 001 — Taught in English.Instructor(s): Andrei S Markovits (andymark@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: Taught in English. (4). (HU). May not be repeated for credit.
Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course will look at the problems and politics of contemporary Germany through the prism of history. By looking at previous political regimes which governed Germany just in the 20th century — absolute monarchy, unstable liberal democracy, totalitarian fascism, stable liberal democracy, bureaucratic communism — the course will shed light on the vicissitudes of the "German Question" and its importance for European politics as a whole.
GERMAN 180. First Year Seminar.German Literature and Culture in EnglishSection 001 — Freud. Taught in EnglishInstructor(s): Julia C Hell (hell@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. Taught in English. No knowledge of German is required. (3). (HU). May not be repeated for credit. First-Year Seminar
Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. In this seminar, we will explore the work of one of the most influential German thinkers, Sigmund Freud. While many of the key concepts of psychoanalysis are part of our daily language, major parts of the academic community in the U.S. dismiss Freud's theories as "unscientific," or sexist. This course is directed against both the facile appropriation of Freud in the media and the scholarly dismissal of his work. To do justice to Freud's radical insights into the workings of the human psyche, we will focus closely on some of his central texts (his Essays on Sexuality, the Interpretation of Dreams, and others). These in-depths readings will be complemented by literary works that address similar issues (voyeurism, the uncanny, etc.).
GERMAN 205. Conversation Practice.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 102 or 103. (1). (Excl). May not be repeated for credit. Students previously enrolled in a 300- or 400-level GERMAN conversation course may not register for GERMAN 205 or 206. May not be included in a concentration plan or minor in German. Offered mandatory credit/no credit. Credits: (1). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. The objective of this course is to overcome the silence which you may experience when attempting to articulate everyday needs in German. In this course, you will hone your German conversation skills by learning basic idiomatic expressions and by building a fundamental vocabulary. In-class and out-of-class exercises will place you inside a bank where you may open an account or order checks (without financial allowances); you will find victuals on the food market or an apartment on the housing market; you will learn both to describe physical discomfort and to get your hair trimmed without physical discomfort. In addition, newspaper or magazine articles along with films and music segments may illustrate the German cultural landscape at large. Active class participation, occasional vocabulary quizzes, and short oral presentations establish the course requirements.
GERMAN 221. Accelerated Third-Semester German.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 102 and assignment by placement test. (5). (Excl). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed GERMAN 230 or 231. Four credits granted to those who have completed GERMAN 102 or 103. Credits: (5). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course combines an intensive review of basic grammar with more advanced practice in the four basic language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). It covers the same content as GERMAN 231, but with an extra day of class each week for additional review and speaking practice, so that by the end of the academic term, students in GERMAN 221 and 231 will be at the same level. The course includes a selection of recent feature films such as Lola rennt, as well as a variety of shorter video clips and movie excerpts. Readings will be taken from print and online sources and will cover a variety of fields and themes ranging from popular culture, contemporary social issues and history to classical music, art, poetry, and a short text by Nietzsche. By the end of the course, students will be quite familiar with all the basics of German grammar, and be able to survive and hold conversations in a German-speaking country. They will be comfortable surfing the web in German, and able to read and write independently about short texts covering a wide range of topics, so that they will be able to pursue their own specific interests in GERMAN 232 and beyond. Course requirements include daily homework assignments (reading, writing, learning vocabulary, etc.), regular attendance, video assignments, tests, and quizzes. Instead of a final examination, students will work in groups to produce short videos, which will be screened on the last day of classes. A $250 prize is awarded each term for the best final video in GERMAN 221/231. Required Text:
Recommended Grammar Text [All the grammar you are required to know is in the course pack and on the web, but this book is an excellent reference that would also be helpful to you in the future, and would provide information on many topics for which we do not have enough time in the course.]:
Recommended Texts for "Language Learning Journals" [see description of "Language Learning Journal" online or in the first few pages of the course pack; more info on these books is on the main GERMAN 221/231 course page]:
Other Recommended Texts:
GERMAN 231. Second-Year Course.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 102 or 103, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230 or 221. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. In this course, the four basic language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) developed in the first year will be reviewed and extended. The course includes a selection of recent feature films such as Lola rennt, as well as a variety of shorter video clips and movie excerpts. Readings will be taken from print and online sources and will cover a variety of fields and themes ranging from popular culture, contemporary social issues and history to classical music, art, poetry, and a short text by Nietzsche. By the end of the course, students will be quite familiar with all the basics of German grammar, and be able to survive and hold conversations in a German-speaking country. They will be comfortable surfing the web in German, and able to read and write independently about short texts covering a wide range of topics, so that they will be able to pursue their own specific interests in GERMAN 232 and beyond. Course requirements include daily homework assignments (reading, writing, learning vocabulary, etc.), regular attendance, video assignments, tests, and quizzes. Instead of a final examination, students will work in groups to produce short videos, which will be screened on the last day of classes. A $250 prize is awarded each academic term for the best final video in GERMAN 221/231. Required Text:
Recommended Grammar Text [All the grammar you are required to know is in the course pack and on the web, but this book is an excellent reference that would also be helpful to you in the future, and would provide information on many topics for which we do not have enough time in the course.]:
Recommended Texts for "Language Learning Journals" [see description of "Language Learning Journal" online or in the first few pages of the course pack; more info on these books is on the main GERMAN 221/231 course page]:
Other Recommended Texts:
GERMAN 232. Second-Year Course.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 221 or 231, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230. All sections of GERMAN 232 address special topics, e.g., music, philosophy, science, current political issues, etc. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. In this course, students complete the fourth-term introductory language sequence by selecting one of several "special topics" courses intended as an introduction to the study of an academic discipline, such as Music, Philosophy, History, or Science, in German. Students should emerge from the course prepared and motivated to do work (or read for pleasure) in German in this field throughout their academic career and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to arrange their schedules so they can enroll in the section whose topic interests them the most, in order to get the maximum benefit from this course. Interest in the course content is the most effective motivation for language study, and students can emerge from GERMAN 232 with genuine pride in what they are able to do with their German. More generally, by the end of the course, students will be ready to pursue an internship or study abroad in Germany, and are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the assistance offered by the German department and by the Office of International Programs in this regard. The special topics and course requirements for this term's sections are given below.
GERMAN 232. Second-Year Course.
Section 001 — Contemprary German Society & the EU.Instructor(s): Peggy M Wunderwald-Jensen (pwjensen@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 221 or 231, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230. All sections of GERMAN 232 address special topics, e.g., music, philosophy, science, current political issues, etc. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. While building a topic-oriented vocabulary and reviewing essential grammar appropriate to this level, students will be reading and discussing a variety of authentic texts dealing with Germany's geography, economic situation, the situation of foreigners, the reunification of "the two" Germanys and repercussions thereof in contemporary German society. Furthermore, students will get an insight into the evolution, the decision-making process, and current issues of the European Union.
GERMAN 232. Second-Year Course.
Section 002 — Contemporary German Society and Business Culture.Instructor(s): Janet K VanValkenburg (jvv@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 221 or 231, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230. All sections of GERMAN 232 address special topics, e.g., music, philosophy, science, current political issues, etc. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. While building a basic vocabulary and reviewing essential grammar appropriate to this level, students will be reading a variety of authentic texts dealing with such current issues as German's geographic location; Germany's recent history and the need to come to terms with its past; the reunification of "the two" Germanys and repercussions thereof in contemporary German society and business world; foreigners in German society and workplace; and the evolution of the European Union.
GERMAN 232. Second-Year Course.
Section 003 — Mathematical and Scientific German.Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 221 or 231, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230. All sections of GERMAN 232 address special topics, e.g., music, philosophy, science, current political issues, etc. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course serves as an introduction to the tools that are vital for pursuing further science-based work in German — practical or academic. Recently, one of the reasons why students have taken this course has been to prepare themselves for summer internships available with German companies or for study abroad in technical and scientific fields. In addition to reading various scientific articles, we will go on excursions to the Hands on Museum, and the Exhibit Museum of Natural History, students will have the opportunity to present some fun experiments in groups; there will be an elementary math lesson (or more if the class is interested) as well as presentations by other guest speakers, etc. In addition, we will pause along the way to consider the nature of science and the cultural values that can underlie it, as well as the ethical implications that a rapidly increasing amount of technology and knowledge has on our society today. The necessary vocabulary and grammar will be provided along the way. No background in math or science is assumed. Grades will be based on participation, homework, quizzes, presentations/projects, and exams. By the end of the course, students will be ready to pursue an internship or study abroad in Germany, and are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the assistance offered by the German department and by the Office of International Programs in this regard. Required Text: Recommended Texts:
GERMAN 232. Second-Year Course.
Section 004 — Mozart's Magic Flute.Instructor(s): Vanessa Helen Agnew (vagnew@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 221 or 231, and assignment by placement test. (4). (LR). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in GERMAN 230. All sections of GERMAN 232 address special topics, e.g., music, philosophy, science, current political issues, etc. Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. Ever heard of the 'Mozart effect'? Taking this course will make you smarter and learning German easier! Besides covering topics such as, 'What is genius?' and 'Why is Mozart so famous?', you'll gain an in-depth knowledge of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). You'll improve your written and spoken German, do a comprehensive grammar review, compare productions of the opera, and watch a number of films. You will also learn to sing the opera and perhaps take part in a concert at the end of the term. There will be guest lectures on subjects ranging from conducting, costume and lighting design to Freemasonry and Zoroastrianism. The assessment for this course will be based on participation, weekly writing and grammar assignments, and a midterm and final test. The only prerequisite for this course is enthusiasm. To see excerpts from a past Magic Flute concert, go to: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/german/gs-ug-mozart.html
GERMAN 305. Conversation Practice.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230, 231, or 232; concurrent enrollment in a 300-level course is encouraged but not necessary. (1). (Excl). May not be repeated for credit. Students who have previously participated in a 400-level GERMAN conversation course may not register for GERMAN 305 or 306. This course does not satisfy the language requirement. May not be included in a concentration plan or minor in German. Offered mandatory credit/no credit. Credits: (1). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. The goal of this course is to increase students' confidence in speaking on any topic and, therefore, the course will focus on a variety of topics ranging from practical language situations to current cultural events to areas of students' academic interests. Students will work on expanding vocabulary, finding synonyms, and understanding/using varying spoken styles, which are necessary to appreciate life in German-speaking communities. The materials for the course will come from German websites as well as various materials from the instructor. Course requirements are: energetic class participation, thorough preparation, e-mail in German with the instructor and fellow students, and oral presentations.
GERMAN 325. Intermediate German.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May be elected twice for credit. Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course is primarily intended to improve fluency and accuracy in written and spoken German. Each section of GERMAN 325 aims to introduce students to the study of a specific discipline in German.
GERMAN 325. Intermediate German.
Section 001 — German Film Classics in Context. Taught in German.Instructor(s): Johannes Eugen Von Moltke (moltke@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May be elected twice for credit. Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course is devoted to the sustained exploration of one of the most famous German films, Fritz Lang's thriller M from 1931. The film has been hailed for its masterful plot, its enduring images, its innovative use of sound, its memorable acting. We will study each of these aspects in detail, familiarizing ourselves with basic aspects of film analysis. The film also stands out for its historical relevance: drawing on contemporary newspaper reports about a serial killer, Lang condensed current cultural, social, and political discourses into a modernist artwork. In this sense, the film works like a key to an historical period — a fiction that tells us about the cultural and political realities of the Weimar Republic on the eve of Fascism. In order to further situate Lang's film in that historical context, we will be reading selected texts from the period, including reviews of the film, texts by and about Fritz Lang, newspaper reports, essays, and short stories. Finally, we will also place M in film historical context by looking at a number of other films from the Weimar era. The class will provide and quiz basic terms for film analysis, include regular writing assignments such as screening reports, a film review, and short sequence analyses, as well as a midterm and final exam. Taught in German.
GERMAN 325. Intermediate German.
Section 002 — German for Engineering I.Instructor(s): Hartmut Maria Rastalsky (hmr@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May be elected twice for credit. Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course will introduce students to German engineering discourse. It is the first course in a two-course sequence designed to prepare students for internships and jobs requiring some knowledge of technical German, and for study abroad in a technical field in a German-speaking country. We will read and discuss texts on "how things work," sections of textbooks on Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, and passages from more specialized engineering texts. We will devote several class sessions to exploring the website of the Deutsches Museum München , and will generally make extensive use of the web. The course will also include guest lectures by faculty from technical fields and by visitors from industry. Vocabulary building will be emphasized strongly; grammar will be reviewed as needed. There will be a lot of partner and small group work during class time, in order to maximize students' opportunities to practice speaking and to help each other master the material. Student tasks and the instructor's expectations will be based on the assumption that the majority of students will previously have had (no more than!) the equivalent of four terms of college German, and that students are open to and interested in the study of scientific and technical concepts, but the course has no specific scientific or technical prerequisites.
GERMAN 325. Intermediate German.Section 004 — Topic?Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May be elected twice for credit. Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. No Description Provided. Contact the Department.
GERMAN 325. Intermediate German.Section 006.Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May be elected twice for credit. Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. No Description Provided. Contact the Department.
GERMAN 350. Business German.
Section 001 — Taught in German.Instructor(s): Janet K VanValkenburg (jvv@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: GERMAN 230 or 232 (or by placement test). (3). (Excl). May not be repeated for credit. Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course introduces students to the language of business German and gives them insight into Germany's place in the global economy. The course is organized around major business and economic topics, such as:
In addition to the basic text, students will read actual business, merchandising, and advertising material; newspapers and magazines. There will also be short videos on business and related topics. There will be three major exams; a number of short reports, papers, and projects; and a final exam. The language of instruction is German.
Consult the new Course Guide at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg_subjectlist/0,2030,8,00.html?show=20&termArray=f_04_1510&cgtype=ug This page was created at 12:58 PM on Wed, May 5, 2004.
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