German Courses (GERM)

Placement: See the Academic Testing section in the Admission chapter.

All 300- and 400-level courses in German literature may be taken toward fulfillment of the general requirement in literature for the baccalaureate degree.

Related Catalog Entry: College of Arts and Sciences / Modern and Classical Languages

Related Mason Website: Modern and Classical Languages (http://www.gmu.edu/departments/fld/)

101 Elementary German I (3:3:1). Designed for students with no knowledge of German. Introduction to German, including elements of grammar, vocabulary, oral skills, listening comprehension, and reading. Lab work required.

102 Elementary German II (3:3:1).Prerequisite: GERM 101 or permission of department. Continuation of GERM 101. Lab work required.

105 Review of Elementary German (3:3:1).Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or permission of department. Review of elements of German for students who have studied German previously. May not be taken for credit in combination with GERM 102 or 109. Lab work required.

109 Intensive Elementary German (6:6:2). Equivalent to GERM 101 and 102 taught in a single semester. Recommended for students who desire an intensive introduction to German. May not be taken for credit in combination with GERM 101, 102, or 105. Lab work required.

201 Intermediate German I (3:3:1).Prerequisite: GERM 102, 105, 109, appropriate placement score, or permission of department. Further development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. GERM 201 and 202 must be taken in sequence. Lab work required.

202 Intermediate German II (3:3:1).Prerequisite: GERM 201, appropriate placement score, or permission of department. Application of skills to reading, composition, and discussion. Lab work required.

209 Intensive Intermediate German (6:6:2).Prerequisite: GERM 102, 105, 109, appropriate placement score, or permission of department. Equivalent to GERM 201 and 202 taught in a single semester. May not be taken for credit in combination with GERM 201 or 202. Lab work required.

301 Culture and Civilization (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of instructor. Development of German civilization from the 18th century to the present. German cultural contributions to world civilization. Taught in English.

310 Conversation and Composition (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Development of fluency in speaking and proficiency in writing German through discussion, reports, and compositions based on texts dealing with contemporary events and issues. Not for native speakers.

316 German for the Business World (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Introduction to the terminology and structural features of business German. Emphasis on acquiring vocabulary and on developing facility in reading German business articles and correspondence.

318 Translation of Texts (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 12 credits of German or permission of instructor. Introduction to principles and techniques of translation. Translation of texts from the natural and social sciences, current events, and contemporary culture. Translations mainly from German into English.

325 Major Writers (3:3:0).Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Works of major German, Austrian, and Swiss writers in translation. Writers to be studied vary. Course work in English. May be repeated for credit with permission of department.

340 Survey of German Literature (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Required for German majors. Overview of the history of German literature from its beginnings to 1880.

355 Readings in Poetry (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Intensive reading of German poetry in its historical context. Study of genre characteristics and development. Types of poetry studied vary. May be repeated for credit with permission of department when subtitle is different.

365 Readings in Narrative Prose (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Intensive reading of German narrative prose, such as autobiographical fiction, fairy tales, and film. Study of genre characteristics and development. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with permission of department when subtitle is different.

375 Readings in Drama (3:3:0).Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Intensive reading of German dramas in their historical context. Study of genre characteristics and development, including performance aspects. Type studied (e.g., historical drama, radio play, epic theater) varies. May be repeated for credit with permission of department when subtitle is different.

415 Advanced Grammar and Style (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Study of syntax, idiomatic features, and levels of style. Extensive practice in different types of written expression.

418 Advanced Composition (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Development of proficiency in writing German through intensive practice in preparing guided and original compositions.

442 The Age of Goethe (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Major works of Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, Classicism, and early Romanticism. Emphasis on drama and poetry by Goethe and Schiller; some Lessing and Kleist.

444 The Literature of Romanticism (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. German Romantic poetry and prose; background and some theory.

448 German Literature: 1830-1880 (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Study of the literature of Young Germany, Biedermeier and Poetic Realism; prose, drama, and lyric poetry.

450 Modern Literature: 1880-1925 (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. The literature of Naturalism, Impressionism, and Expressionism in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

451 Modern Literature: 1925 to the Present (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Literary trends since 1925 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

480 Special Topics (3:3:0).Prerequisite: 15 credits of German or permission of instructor. Special topics in language, literature, or culture by theme, approach, or era. May be repeated for credit with permission of department.

490, 491 Independent Study (1-3:0:0), (1-3:0:0).Prerequisites: Students in the German concentration with 90 credits and permission of chair. Research and analysis of a selected problem in literature or linguistics in consultation with a department member. Maximum of six credits of independent study may be applied to fulfillment of requirements in the concentration.

497, 498 Senior Honors Tutorial (3:0:0), (3:0:0).Prerequisites: Students in the German concentration with 90 credits, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and 3.0 in the major field. Students who meet these requirements are admitted to candidacy upon submission of a letter of application to the departmental Honors Committee in the second half of the junior year. A faculty recommendation and an interview by the Honors Committee are also required. The first semester involves meeting weekly with a faculty member to discuss readings from a comprehensive list. During the second semester, students do independent research and complete an honors essay under the supervision of a member of the German faculty.

518 Studies in 18th- and Early 19th-Century Literature (3:3:0). Major authors, movements, and themes in 18th- and early 19th-century German literature. Literary theory and practice, historical background, and critical reception. May be repeated for credit with permission of department.

525 Studies in Modern Literature (3:3:0). Writers, themes, or genres of modern German literature. May be repeated for credit with permission of department.

550 Special Topics (3:3:0). Study of a special topic in the area of German language, literature, or culture. Specific topics are announced in advance. May be repeated for credit with permission of department.

560 History of the German Language (3:3:0). Development of the German language from the eighth century to the present. Phonological, morphological, and syntactic structures characteristic of the various stages of development.

580 Contemporary Germany (3:3:0). Study of contemporary Germany in its political, economic, social, and cultural institutions. Special emphasis on postunification issues and Germany's place in the European community.

798 Directed Reading and Research (3:0:0).Prerequisite: Open only to degree students who have completed at least 18 credits. Reading and research on a specific project under the direction of a department member. Oral or written report required.

799 Thesis (1-6:0:0). Students who take GERM 798 and then elect the thesis option receive three credits for GERM 799 upon completion of the thesis. Students who do not take GERM 798 receive six credits for GERM 799 upon completion of the thesis.

800 Studies for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (variable credit). Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. in Education program to study in German. Program of studies designed by student's discipline director and approved by student's doctoral committee that prepares the student to do research and writing in the current area of interest in the discipline. Enrollment may be repeated.

Also see FRLN course listing.