Department Statement

The study of languages gives students a sound foundation in the liberal arts. Graduates with language backgrounds possess a resource for continuing intellectual growth and personal fulfillment, a passport for moving easily within the world community and its diverse cultures and a practical tool for earning a living.

Programs in the department of modern languages concentrate on the acquisition of language and a knowledge of the culture that the language expresses. The department offers baccalaureate degrees in German, German and Spanish, as well as basic instruction in Japanese.

Special encouragement is given to students who wish to pursue a minor emphasis in modern language to support a major taken outside the department. With the changing population of the United States and the growing interdependence of the international community, career opportunities are expanding rapidly for graduates who know a second language. Second language competency has become highly desirable in teaching, government, social services, diplomacy, law and medicine, mass communications, science, technology, international trade,  and marketing. The programs in modern languages have the latitude and flexibility to fit nearly any career goal.

The department encourages students who wish to acquire proficiency at a "professional" or "near-native" level to spend time in the country whose language they are studying. Programs available through the Office of Studies Abroad give students a chance to master a language and learn more about the culture and customs, often while studying at foreign universities and living with local families.

German Placement Exam

In order to be placed in the correct German class, students must take the German placement exam.  The exam fee is $5.00, payable in the Payment and Disbursement Center, Administration Building, Room 211, prior to taking the test.  Bring the fee receipt and photo ID to the test, held in the  Technical Services Assessment Center (TS115)  Scoring is immediate.  Call to verify current hours 208-426-2762.

Modern Languages Resource Center

Located next to the Department offices in the Library, Room L-144, the Modern Languages Resource Center provides state of the art, interactive lab equipment  to assist students in their language studies. Computers, TV/VCRs, satellite television, videotapes, audio tapes, CD ROM programs, video disc programs and word processing software enhance the language learning experiences. Students can access language newspapers, international bulletin boards and other internet resources. Most elementary and intermediate language courses require conversation practice in the resource center for which students pay an additional laboratory fee.

Credit for Prior Learning

Once a student enrolls in and successfully completes a language course beyond the 101-level with a grade of C or higher, he or she may petition to receive credit for all courses that are prerequisites to the course that the student has successfully completed. See the detailed explanation of Challenge Exams and Credit for Prior Learning.

German, Bachelor of Arts

1. To begin the program for the B.A. in German, the student must demonstrate competency in German equivalent to the completion of elementary (GERM 101, 102) and intermediate (GERM 201, 202) German -- 16 credit hours. Competency must be demonstrated by course work or placement/challenge procedures.

2. The program must be developed in consultation with a major advisor in German.

3. The candidate must demonstrate his or her level of linguistic and cultural competency in German by successfully completing GERM 498 Senior Seminar during the last year of study.

German, Secondary Education

German Minor

Literature and Culture Emphasis

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German Minor

Business Emphasis

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Foreign Language Minor Certification Endorsement

Course Offerings

FORLNG - Foreign Language

FORLNG 350 TOPICS IN GERMANIC LITERATURE (3-0-3)(F/S) A focused study of  Germanic literature in translation organized around a historical period, a genre, a movement, an author, or a theme.  Topics will vary each time the course is offered. Frequent writing assignments. Course conducted in English.  May be repeated for credit with PREM/INST.  Available once as an upper-division elective towards the German major or minor if writing assignments are done in German. PREREQ: ENGL 102.

FORLNG 410 APPROACHES TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION (3-0-3)(S) An overview of theories of language acquisition and of changing pedagogical practices in secondary foreign language education.  Examination of contemporary approaches to language teaching and competence, the oral proficiency interview, assessment techniques, syllabus preparation, development of lesson plans, and the integration of cultural components with the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  PREREQ: minimum of six credits upper-division language or PERM/INST. PREREQ/COREQ: LING 305.

Lower Division

GERM 101 ELEMENTARY GERMAN  I (4-1-4) (F/S) (Area I). Develops beginning abilities in all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Offers a basic study of grammatical structures and vocabulary in a communicative context. Introduces students to Germanic cultures.

GERM 102 ELEMENTARY GERMAN II (4-1-4)(F/S) (Area I) Continues to develop beginning abilities in all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Offers a basic study of grammatical structures and vocabulary in a communicative context. Introduces students to Germanic culture.  PREREQ: GERM 101 or PERM/INST.

GERMAN 201 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I (3-1-3)(F/S)(Area I)(Diversity). Intended to further develop all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Intensive review of fundamentals of structure and vocabulary in a communicative context. Topics for conversation, reading, and writing focus on Germanic cultures. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERMAN 102 or PERM/INST.

GERMAN 202 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN II (3-1-3)(F/S)(Area I)(Diversity). Intended to further develop all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Intensive review of fundamentals of structure and vocabulary in a communicative context. Topics for conversation, reading, and writing focus on Germanic cultures. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERMAN 201 or PERM/INST.

GERMAN 203 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN CONVERSATION (2-0-2)(F/S). Cultural readings from a wide range of sources will serve as the point of departure for conversation and discussion as well as refinement of intermediate linguistic skills. Course conducted in German. May be repeated once for credit. PREREQ: GERMAN 102 or PERM/INST.

Upper Division

GERM 303 ADVANCED GERMAN CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION (3-0-3) (F/S) Practice towards idiomatic fluency.  Reading from newspapers, magazines, and essays, and discussion of slides, tapes, and films.  Frequent writing required. PREREQ: GERM 202 or PERM/INST.

GERM 304 INTRODUCTION TO GERMAN LITERATURE (3-0-3) (F/S) Develops and expands composition and conversation skills through the use of German literary terms and forms. Introduction to methods of literary analysis and interpretation.  Prepares students for advanced upper division classes in German literature. Frequent writing assignments.  Course conducted in German.  PREREQ: GERM 202 or PERM/INST.

GERM 307 BUSINESS GERMAN (3-0-3) (F/S)  This course introduces students to the terminology and etiquette of business practice in the German-speaking world.  It develops a basic ability to function linguistically and socially in a business setting and introduces students to the appropriate terminology and structures for all forms of business communication.  Special attention is given to those activities making up the Prufung Deutsch fur den Beruf. Course conducted in German. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 202 or PERM/INST.

GERM 377 GERMAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Introduction to German culture and civilization from prehistoric times to the present, with a special emphasis on the time since 1800.  Discussion of topics such as political and social history, the question of national identity and the role of arts, literature, philosophy, music, and architecture.  Analysis of German, Austrian, and Swiss contributions to Western civilization.  Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 303 or PERM/INST.

GERM 404 SURVEY OF GERMAN LITERATURE  I (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Introduction to a wide range of literary texts from the Middle Ages to 1850.  Analysis of not only the literature, but also the social and historical context in which this literature was produced. All genres. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 304 or PERM/INST.

GERM 405 SURVEY OF GERMAN LITERATURE  II (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Introduction to a wide range of literary texts from the 1850 to the present.  Analysis of not only the literature, but also the social and historical context in which this literature was and is produced.  All genres. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 304 or PERM/INST.

GERM 412 ADVANCED GERMAN GRAMMAR AND SYNTAX  (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) An intensive study of grammar and syntax rules and their application in written and spoken German.  Also develops an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the variety of spoken and written registers. Frequent writing assignments. PREREQ: GERM 303 or PERM/INST.

GERM 420 TOPICS IN GERMAN LITERATURE  (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Discussion of topics in literature such as nation, family, minorities, or gender roles. Analysis of not only the literature, but also the social and historical context in which the literature was and is produced. May focus on a particular period or genre.  Course conducted in German. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.  PREREQ: GERM 304 or PERM/INST.

GERM 455 CONTEMPORARY GERMAN LITERATURE  (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Introduction to a wide range of literary texts by contemporary German-speaking writers, covering the years 1945 to the present. Austrian, Swiss, East- and West-German writers as well as literature by migrants and ethnic minorities. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 304 or PERM/INST.

GERM 475 THE GERMAN-SPEAKING WORLD TODAY  (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) An in-depth analysis of contemporary nonliterary events in the German-speaking world. Discussion includes social and political structure, educational systems, economic and business life, science, theater, arts, music, and recreation.  Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 303 or PERM/INST.

GERM 477 WOMEN'S LITERATURE OF THE GERMAN-SPEAKING WORLD  (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years) Introduction to a wide range of literary texts by women in the German-speaking world.  Discussion to topics such as representation of women in literature and the social and historical climate in which the literature was and is produced. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 304 or PERM/INST.

GERM 480 ADVANCED BUSINESS GERMAN (3-0-3) (F/S) (Alternate years)  An in-depth analysis of business etiquette, practices and climate in the German-speaking world.   Discussion of topics such as appropriate forms of correspondence, advances in technology, and the impact of the social and political climate on business practices.   Special attention given to those activities making up the Prufung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International. Course conducted in German. PREREQ: GERM 307 or PERM/INST.

GERM 498 SENIOR SEMINAR (3-0-3)(F/S) A capstone, exit requirement course.  Topic chosen by instructor on a rotating basis.  Discussion of literary and cultural subject matter. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the written, spoken, and cultural codes of German by means of a research paper and an expended oral presentation of the topic of the paper. Course includes an exit oral proficiency interview.  Required of all German majors in their senior year.  Course conducted in German. PREREQ: Senior standing or PERM/INST.

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