First-Year Courses in German (Division 379)

Fall Term, 1999 (September 8 - December 22, 1999)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hmr/101/Kursseite.html

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 focussing 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 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.

Section 200 – Intended for Music Students Only.
This section is intended specifically for Music students and is open to others only by permission of the instructor. It will follow the same basic syllabus and philosophy described above for the “regular” 101 sections, but we will take advantage of every opportunity to set the course in a “musical” context and take advantage of students’ musical abilities.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hmr/103/Kursseite.html

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 focussing 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 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.

German Literature and Culture in English

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Fredrick Amrine (amrine@umich.edu) , Geoffrey Eley (ghe@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

An interdisciplinary course on German history and culture, beginning with the present and working backwards to unification under Bismarck. This attempt to “come to terms with the (German) past” will consider not only social and political history, but also the philosophy, literature, art, music, and culture of “everyday life” generally.

German Literature and Culture in English

Section 001 – Screenings Thursday 4:00-6:00 p.m. Students Wishing to Count German 172 Towards A Concentration in German Must also Elect UC 190-001.

Instructor(s): Johannes von Moltke (moltke@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($50) required.

Course Homepage: https://coursetools.ummu.umich.edu/1999/fall/lsa/germ/172/001.nsf

This course surveys the history of the German cinema from its beginnings through the 1990s. We will look at films from the Weimar period, such as The Cabinet of Dr. Calegari and Nosferatu. We will ask how the Nazi Cinema generated its political messages through a careful blend of ideology and entertainment, which in many respects persisted well into the 1950s, and we will look at landmark productions from the DEFA film studios in East Germany, as well as of the New German Cinema in the West, where directors such as Wim Wenders and Rainer Werner Fassbinder rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Finally, we will examine the current state of German cinema by looking at some recent productions. In addition to the historical survey, the class also serves as a basic introduction to the study of film.

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.

Credits: (5).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hmr/221/Kursseite.html

This course combines an intensive review of basic grammar with more advanced practice in the four basic language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Substantial emphasis will be placed on providing a firm grammatical base, and on reading, discussing, and writing about authentic German texts from a variety of fields ranging from natural and social science to history, literature, and the arts. By the end of the course, students will be able to read and write about short texts from periodicals and textbooks, and from classic texts by Nietzsche, Kafka, etc., independently, so that they will be able to pursue their own specific interests in German 232 and beyond. 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.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hmr/231/Kursseite.html

In this course, grammar and vocabulary from the first year will be reviewed and extended. Greater emphasis will be placed on reading German texts and talking and writing about them in German. Reading texts include both short literary works and non-fictional texts from a variety of fields ranging from history to science and the arts. By the end of the course, students will be able to read and write about short texts from periodicals and textbooks, and from classic texts by Nietzsche, Kafka, etc., independently, 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. By the end of the course, students should be quite familiar with all the basics of German grammar, and be able to survive and converse fairly comfortably in a German-speaking country. In particular, they should be ready to embark on an introduction to the study in German of an academic discipline of their choice in one of the specialty 232 courses.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

In this course, students complete the four-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 232 with the genuine pride in what they are able to do with their German. More generally, students should be ready by the end of the course 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.

Section 001 – German Crime Stories: Literature and Popular Culture.

Instructor(s): Bruce Spencer (bspencer@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: https://coursetools.ummu.umich.edu/1999/fall/lsa/germ/232/001.nsf

In this course, we will examine the representation of crime in various texts and genres with a view to establishing some characteristic features of these genres. In particular, we will try to establish what sets "serious" crime "literature" apart from "popular" crime fiction and crime journalism, so that this course will constitute a serious and entertaining introduction to the question "What is literature?" Friedrich Dürrenmatt's novel Der Richter und sein Henker will constitute the main part of this course. We will read stories by other "serious" writers (Max von der Grün, Günter Kunert, Wolfdletrich Schnurre) and by "popular" writers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. We will read newspaper articles and compare their approaches to crimes that caught people's attention. Towards the end, we will discuss Doris Dörrie's movie Happy Birthday, Türkel!! Be prepared to read, write, and talk a lot. One brief presentation, three short essays, one midterm, one final, some grammar, some fun.

Section 002 – Contemporary German Society & Business Culture.

Instructor(s): Janet Van Valkenburg (jvv@umich.edu)

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 such 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.

Section 003 – Topics in Music: Mozart and the Magic Flute.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The course relies heavily on singing to become acquainted with the opera: by the end of the term, we will sing the entire opera. In addition, there will be one week of vocal instruction. Guest lecturers and performers will include musicologists, stage technicians, musicians, and specialists in Viennese culture. Readings in German will include the opera libretto, highlights in Mozart's biography, and the cultural and historical background of the work's origin. The language of instruction is German. Student evaluation is based on performance in class participation, regular grammar exercises, essays, oral presentations, and final exam. There are no musical prerequisites for this section.

Section 004 – Mathematical & Scientific German.

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hmr/232Wissenschaftsdeutsch/Kursseite.html

This course serves as an excellent 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); 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.

German 232. Second-Year Course.

Section 005.

Instructor(s): Baron

No Description Provided

Check Times, Location, and Availability

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. This course is open to students who have completed and passed 232; concurrent enrollment in a 300-level course is encouraged but not necessary. Students who have previously participated in a 400-level conversation course may not register for 305 or 306. Course requirements are: energetic class participation, thorough preparation, e-mail in German with the instructor and fellow students, and oral presentations.

Section 001 – Alltagsdeutsch.

Instructor(s): Roy Cowen (rcowen@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course addresses the needs of students who have a command of the essentials of grammar but would like to improve their active knowledge of what could be called "bread and butter" German, albeit as that which is necessary in the "Land der Dichter und Denker." Consequently, the emphasis will be on the students' participation through speaking and writing; culled from newspapers, factual prose and literature, the readings will be chosen less for their exclusively informational value than for the opportunity they also offer for discussion. Not quizzes and tests but papers will be stressed. German is the language in the classroom, and all papers will be rewritten to incorporate all changes suggested and all corrections made.

Section 002 – German Youth Culture.

Instructor(s): Karl-Georg Federhofer (kallimz@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Love Parade, Fettes Brot, and Lodown: Youth cultures, their terminologies and styles, develop and disappear fast. They stress difference, creativity, and-above all-individuality. Through their multifariousness, German youth cultures and the concomitant aesthetic are loosely defined, and this facet sustains the flexible component in our class. This course delves then into the popular forms, creative activities and political orientations of youths within the 80s and 90s. Encountering these specific cultural manifestations (music, film, publications), we will try to find a methodology pertinent to approach this "deutsche Besonderheit – der Mythos Jugend" (Griese). The formal requirements include readings, weekly essays, short grammar tests, motivated physical and oral presence.

Section 003 – Film and Literature.

Instructor(s): Janet Van Valkenburg (jvv@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course will be based on 4 or 5 pieces of German literature which have been made into films. After reading the selected literature, we will view the film. Class discussions and written assignments will be based on analysis, comparison and contrast of the written and filmed versions. Grammar and questions of written style will be reviewed according to needs of the class. The language of instruction is German.

Section 004 – The German Language Through Space and Time.

Instructor(s): Robert Kyes (rlkyes@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The goal of this section of German 325 is to acquaint students with the discourse and methods of German dialectology and language history. We shall survey the historical development of German and its dialects from the beginnings to the present day, in the context of changing sociological, political, economic, and cultural environments. As we study the changes in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar of German, we shall also examine illustrative texts from a variety of genres, translate the older ones into modern German, and compare their features with those of modern German. Then, toward the end of the course, we shall turn our attention to the divisions between East and West, between political Left and Right, between native and immigrant, between generations, and between genders, and how those divisions are reflected in language behavior. Our studies will fall into three areas: (1) readings from the textbook; (2) discussions of the illustrative texts; and (3) discussions of weekly homework problems. There will be weekly quizzes on the previous week’s readings, frequent short papers on those readings, and frequent oral presentations in class. Review of grammar will be conducted as needed.

Section 001 – The Basics of Doing Business in German.

Instructor(s): Janet Van Valkenburg (jvv@umich.edu)

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. While covering topics which are necessary and appropriate for students planning a career in international business, the course also teaches and practices the skills essential to function proficiently and appropriately in the world of German business. After an introduction to the geography and economics of the 16 German states, students concentrate on such areas of interest as: company structure and practices, finance and banking, industry, communication and transportation, ecology, and Germany in the European and global business worlds. Emphasis is placed on cultural aspects of Business German. Students are encouraged to understand and function appropriately within the framework and culture of the German business world.