German 111-112: Beginning German
Hallo! Wie geht’s? German 111 and 112 will give you the chance, to learn a second language in exciting new ways, using technology and focusing on communication. Beginning German is not just learning grammar and vocabulary; it is learning new sounds, expressions, and ways of seeing things. It is learning how to act in another culture, how to know a new community from the inside, how to discover a new world. In class, we will use films, music, literature, Web activities, and other to introduce you to the richness and breadth of German-speaking cultures through which you will acquire the skills to understand authentic texts.
Knowing German is a way to use your second language on the job; to seek out opportunities; to use it in your community. If you studied German at High School, don't waste your investment of time and effort. What you have learned is a foundation for further study. The German Department offers German culture related courses, study abroad opportunities or for a summer, a semester, or a year.
Each semester earns 3 credits; however, both semesters must be completed satisfactorily to continue with Intermediate German. This course meets three times a week.
Prerequisite: None
German 211-212: Intermediate German
Herzlich Willkommen or welcome to our second year of introductory course in German. This course will continue to give you a firm foundation for further study of the language, with an emphasis on communicative fluency through extensive practice of listening, speaking, reading and writing. In class, we will use videos, music, children’s literature, Web activities, and other materials to introduce you to the richness and breadth of the language and its various cultures. You will also improve your ability to read and understand authentic texts without the help of translations.
Each semester earns 3 credits; however, both semesters must be completed satisfactorily to continue with Intermediate German. This course meets three times a week.
Prerequisite: Placement Test or German 111-112
German 245: Perspectives on Lives Between Two Wars
This course will focus on the time between the 1920s until the 1940s and examine how political and social changes have affected individual lives. You will learn of the spirit of the German sextet Comedian Harmonists that rose to worldwide fame in the 1920s and 1930s before being forced to disband by the rise of anti-Semitism. You will also learn about individuals who lived in exile during this time as well as German resistance groups during WWII and read through a novel how with the enforcement of laws affected and banned Jewish life. While discussing the material, you will develop your communicative as well as writing skills while we review selected grammar topics.
Designed for students with five semesters of language training or equivalent. This course earns 3 credits and meets three times a week.
Prerequisite: 212 or Placement Test
German 251: Topics in German Literature
Diese Geschichte finde ich toll!
This course is designed to introduce students to various exciting texts of the German-speaking world. The course provides an introduction to a variety of literary genres and the principles of literary interpretation. It offers students the opportunity to apply these techniques in discussions and meaningful presentations of works of short length or excerpts.
This course is earns 3 credits and meets three times a week.
Prerequisite: German 212 or equivalent
German 261: Culture and Civilization
An historical,social, cultural, and literary study of the German speaking world from the 19th century to the 2006 world Cup. A wide range of audio-visual aids, as well
as lectures, will be used to illustrate the interrelationship of politics, art, literature, and culture. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Staff.
German 305: Conversation
What does it mean to be a German today? More and more writers and artists (German and intercultural) have been challenging the narrow and exclusive concept of "Germanness" for two decades. In this course, you will study some facets of contemporary German culture regarding the hot debated topic of multiculturalism and explore a variety of texts since German unification. We will also speak what topics give a perspective of German society today. The material will include poems, short texts, one novel, several films, and website material. This course will develop your communicative as well as writing skills while we review selected grammar topics.
Designed for students with four semesters of language training or equivalent. This course earns 3 credits and meets three times a week.
Prerequisite: 212
German 315: German Novelle
This course gives a brief history of the European Novelle and a close reading of selected works by 19- and 20-century German and Austrian writers. A prior familiarity with other genres in German literature is recommended for more complete appreciation and understanding of the unique character of the German Novelle. There will be close textual analysis of the Novellen, which will be read in German, supplemented by critical writings. By the end of the semester, students will be expected to have read representative works by the major authors of German Novellen of this period and to be able to explain their unique character in proper historical and literary critical perspective. Ability to read and understand contemporary German is essential.
Designed for students with four semesters of language training or equivalent. This course earns 3 credits and meets twice a week.
Prerequisite: 212
German 349: Teaching Methodology for Foreign Languages
Also listed as FREN and SPAN 349, this course fulfills a state requirement for students seeking certification in the teaching of foreign languages. Students will explore the theories of language acquisitions, current research, and various methods of language instruction. Students will create lesson plans and assessments that correspond to current understandings of how K-12 students best learn a second language. This course will emphasize the national standards and proficiency-based objectives for foreign language instruction. Given in English. Prerequisite: Seven courses beyond the 212-215 level and admission to the Randolph-Macon Education Department’s teacher preparation program. Required to be taken no earlier than the academic year during which student teaching is to take place. Offered as needed. Three hours. Staff.
German 495: Capstone Experience
This is a one-credit course to be taken during the spring of the senior year (during the fall in the case of Education minors). Working with their capstone adviser, students will submit for approval of the Departmental Capstone Committee, a topic related to the interests of the students.The capstone project may be either attached to a course the student is taking or independent of any course. In addition to the written project, students will make two oral presentations, one in English on research day and another in German. Performance in GERM 495 will be evaluated by the Departmental Capstone Committee members and will be based on the students’ work with their capstone adviser, the capstone project, and the two presentations. Given in German. Offered in spring, offered in fall when necessary. One hour. Staff.
FLET 381: The Holocaust in German and European Film
This survey course introduces students to German and European Film on the Holocaust. Students will study films that deal both with the history and the aftermath of the Holocaust, and learn how the Holocaust affected most of Europe. In addition to weekly film screenings, students will read texts on the Holocaust and give presentations, as well as write a final paper. By the end of this course, students will develop the necessary skills to interpret and critique international films. They will also be able to compare how the history of the Holocaust has been depicted in various German and European films, and they will be able to explain the historical contexts of the countries producing these films.
This course is designed for students from all academic backgrounds and no linguistic competence in German is required; this course earns 3 credits and meets two times a week.
Prerequisite: None
FLET 221: Modern Drama of the German-Speaking World
To Be or Not to Be . . .?
In this course, we will look at selected modern German, Austrian, and Swiss dramatic works that represent the German world-view. The major theme this year will be “personal responsibility.” This will be a fun learning experience! In English.
This course is designed for students from all academic backgrounds and no linguistic competence in German is required; this course earns 3 credits and meets two times a week.
Prerequisite: None
FLET 227 – The New German Cinema – This course is designed for both German majors and general FLET students. We will study content and form/techniques of ca. 12 films of the period between 1966 and 1990; the major directors, who are known for their exploration of and experimentation with the film medium, include Alexander Kluge, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Volker Schondorff, Margarethe von Trotta, Helma Sanders- Brahms, Wim Wenders, Werner Heroz, Helke Sander. The study and discussion of these films will introduce students to the basics of film analysis and give them an overview of an important phase in the history of modern German film, exposing them to cultural and political issues that faced Germany in the Cold War era. Offered every three years. Four hours. Staff.