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GERMAN |
German Undergraduate Course
Synopsis
German 110:Beginning German II:
(3 credit hrs.) This second semester course in German is only for
students who have completed German 109 at USC. It builds on the
material introduced in German 109, offering the student the opportunity
to continue the development of listening, reading, writing, and
speaking skills in modern German. Also taught in the evening. German 111: Intensive Beginning German : (= Germ 109/110, 6 credit hrs.) This course is open to all students who have not previously learned German, but desire to establish a basic ability in German quickly. It allows the student to enroll in German 122, which means that Arts and Science students have the opportunity to develop sufficient ability in German in two semesters so as to attain the level of foreign language proficiency required in those colleges. Strong emphasis on developing functional listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Team-taught. Offered five days a week. German 121: Elementary German: (4 credit hrs.) This course is open only to students who have previously studied German and have received a G2 score on the University of South Carolina German Placement Test. Emphasis is placed on developing reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills through German video, audio, and reading materials. This course covers the same material as German 109 and 110, however it includes only a brief review of the most basic features of the language.
German 122: Basic Proficiency in German:
(3 credit hrs.) This course is open only to those students who have
successfully completed German 110 or 121 or have received a G3 score
on the University of South Carolina German Placement Test. Through
the use of authentic video, audio, and reading materials students
are offered the opportunity to develop their reading, listening,
speaking, and writing skills in modern German. The course also includes
some instruction in everyday German culture. Successful completion
of the exit examination fulfills the foreign language requirement
for the College of Arts and Sciences.
German 210: Intermediate German
:(Prereq.: Germ 122 or score of G5 on Phase II placement test.).The
goal of German 210 is to strengthen all four language skills (reading,
writing, speaking, and listening) and review the grammar learned
in the 100-level courses while introducing you to contemporary German
culture and literature. With your active participation, you will
hone your reading strategies in German, enabling you to understand
and analyze authentic German texts, write longer essays based on
your opinions and readings, improve your spoken and written accuracy,
and learn about various aspects of the culture of German-speaking
countries. German 211: Intermediate German: (Prereq.: Germ 122 or score of G5 on Phase II placement test.) This course will continue to practice the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as well as complete the grammar review begun in German 210. Students will read progressively longer German texts, engage in more involved writing activities, watch German films, and listen to authentic German to learn more about the history and culture of German-speaking countries. German 216: German for Business and Other Professions through the Internet: (Prereq: Germ 122 or satisfactory score on the Phase II Placement test) Development,through the use of the Internet,of basic language skills andcultural understanding necessary tofunction in the professionalworldof German-speaking countries.
German 280: Survey of German Culture
& Civilization: Multimedia (Powerpoint, film, music) introduction
to the length and breadth of German culture, starting with the arrival
in the 5th century of the Germanic tribes into western and southern
Europe, and ending with the fall of the Berlin Wall and resultant
unification of Germany in 1989/90. The focus will be on culture
inthe widest sense, meaning not only attention to the peaks of literature,
the visual arts, and music, but also to the development of major
trends in thoughtas formulated by significant philosophers and reflected
in the political and social transformation of Germany.
German 310: German Conversation
: (Prereq.: Germ 210 and 211 or equivalent) This course continues
attention to all four skills with focus on conversation within the
context of cultural awareness for the period before 1945. One longer
text will be read in preparation for the upper division literature
and culture sequence and the course includes a grammar review. Emphasis
is placed on correct, idiomatic oral expression.
German 311: German Conversation &
Composition : (Prereq.: Germ 210 and 211 or equivalent) This
course continues attention to all four skills with focus on conversation
and composition. Course content centers on cultural awareness for
the period after 1945. One longer text will be read in preparation
for the upper division literature and culture sequence and the course
includes a grammar review. A student who has completed this course
is eligible to participate in the Bamberg
Exchange Program. German 316: Introduction to German for Business & Other Professions: (Prereq: Germ 211 or consent of instructor) Development of basic language and cultural skills necessary for functioning in the business and professional world of German-speaking countries. German
320: German Kabarett (prereq.: Germ
310 or consent of instructor). Literary-historical analysis and
discussion of texts from German Kabarett, including comedic skits,
political and social satire, parody, humorous poetry. Semester ends
with a public performance in German! Immersion
into German language and culture through involvement with theatre
production and performance. The analysis, discussion, adaptation
and memorization of mainly literary texts from German Kabarett will
increase students’ reading, speaking, writing, and interpersonal
skills, while also introducing their ability to „relate“
to German in social settings. Additional emphasis is put on aspects
and practice of German pronunciation and enunciation. German 333: Study Abroad German 340: Reading in German Literature (Prereq.: Germ 310 and 311 or consent of instructor) This course is designed to start you thinking about German literature. We’ll introduce you to a number of literary genres (drama, poetry, the short story, and the German Novelle); and at the same time equip you with strategies for reading longer texts in a foreign language more efficiently. Read works by authors like Goethe, Lessing, Eichendorff, Keller, Rilke, Brecht, Böll, and Dürrenmatt; and get to know more about their historical contexts. A paper and a presentation are required. Readings and discussions in German. German
401:
Teaching German to Young Children (Coreq: Must be concurrently
enrolled in German 210 or higher and German 401P or with permission
of instructor) German
401P Practicum
in Teaching German to Young Children:
(Coreq: Must be concurrently enrolled in German 210 or higher and
German 401 or have permission of instructor) German 410: Advanced German Grammar: This course is the first semester of fourth-year German. The prerequisite is German 310 and 311 or equivalent course work in German. Although attention will be paid to all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, the special focus of the course is German grammar. Grammar topics covered in the course will be the more difficult points of German grammar and usage. German 411: Advanced Language Practice in German : (Prereq.: Germ 310 311, or consent of instructor). Advanced practice in oral and written German, emphasis is placed on refinement of student's writing skills. In this course, all four skills are polished as it is intended to develop language proficiency necessary to communicate in a job situation. A national standardized Oral Proficiency Test is offered upon request to assess the level of communication skills. German 416: Advanced German for Business and Other Professions: (Prereq.: Germ 316 or consent of instructor) Development of advanced language and cultural skills necessary for functioning in the professional world of German-speaking countries. Preparation for standardized exams. German 420: German Literature and Culture of the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period. The course is an overview of German literature from the 8th century through the 17th century, covering the following periods: early Middle Ages, High Middle Ages, Renaissance/ Reformation, and Baroque. Texts read in modern German translation and examined in their socio-historical context. Given the breadth of the course, certain periods may be emphasized at the expense of others in a given semester.
German 430: The Age of Goethe:
(Prereq.: Germ 340 or consent of instructor) Readings and discussions
in German. Introduction of major works from the period 1770-1832,
comprising literary epochs including Storm and Stress, Classicism,
Romanticism but informally referred to using the name of the cultural
figure of the age: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. To what extent is
this appellation justified or justifiable? The course includes significant
portions of Goethe's magnum opus, Faust.
German 440: German Literature and
Culture in the Nineteenth Century (prereq: Germ 340 or consent
of instructor) Readings and discussions in German. The exciting
19th century in the Germanies as reflected in the literature of
Romanticism, Junges Deutschland, Biedermeier, and Poetic Realism.
Works read are from all genres by famous authors of this time period,
reflecting the political and cultural changes, revolution and its
aftermath, unification, and the changing values that prepared the
20th century. German 450: German Literature from 1890-1945:(Prereq.: Germ 340 or consent of instructor) Readings and discussions in German. The first half of the twentieth century witnessed some of the brightest and, without exception, the very darkest moments in modern German history. The explosion of creativity in urban centers like Vienna, Munich, and Berlin around 1900 was followed by the disaster of World War One; “die goldenen Zwanziger”--the glory days of the Weimar Republic--were followed by the rise of Hitler, the hubris of the Nazi Regime, and ultimately the barbarity of the Holocaust. This is the historical backdrop against which we will be engaging with the literature of the German-speaking world from 1890 to 1945. Authors include Gerhart Hauptmann, Arthur Schnitzler, Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht, and Else Lasker-Schüler. German 460: Post-War and Contemporary German Literature: The goal of this course is to introduce students to post-1945 German literature in its cultural, political, and historical context. Selected readings and three films in German will familiarize students with major figures of German-speaking cultural life, while at the same time improving their language proficiency. The special situation of post-war Germany - in the wake of dealing with the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust, divided by the Cold War, and finally, reunited as a multi-ethnic nation within the European community - continues to pose a unique set of challenges to its citizens and writers. At the same time, issues of Austrian and Swiss identity contribute to the richness and diversity of an increasingly multi-national, multi-cultural "German" literary scene. German 490: Directed Readings: (prereq.: consent of instructor) Selected, extensive readings (in German) of masterworks representing the major literary periods (which will be reviewed) since the era of Storm and Stress. Novels, short stories, and plays are the subject of explication and discussion in the once-a-week sessions. An Oral Proficiency Test at the end of the course is required.
German 500: German Culture: (prereq.:
advanced reading ability in German; taught in German) Survey of
the most significant aspects of German culture from Roman times
to the late 20th century, including the visual arts, music,philosophy,
and film, but with special emphasis on providing a coherent overview
of literary periods and movements. Readings in the course will include
a short history of Germany and a brief survey of literary history
as well as select, usually non-literary texts providing significant
additional insight into German-speaking culture. German 515: Introduction to German Linguistics [=LING 503]: Introduction to linguistics for students of German and structure of modern standard German: Phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary. Varieties of modern German.
German Courses Taught Entirely in English!
You do not need to know any German for these courses. All discussions and readings will be in English. There are no prerequisites. These courses fulfill either the
German 398C: Germany Under Hitler : Who was Adolf Hitler? How did the Germans live under his regime from 1933 until 1945? What kind of men ruled the country for 12 years? Was there any opposition? What kind of literature, art, music, film, etc. was created during this period? Read authentic text, watch films about and from this era, ask your own questions, and find out. German 398G:Selected Topics: Hesse, Kafka, Brecht etc: Reading and discussion of major works of eminent German language writers of the 20th century: Hermann Hesse, Franz Kafka, Bertolt Brecht, and Thomas Mann. The works will be treated within the framework of 20th century cultural history of central Europe. Works to be read, among others :
German 398I:Germanic Mythology The course is an introduction to the mythology and heroic poetry of the Germanic countries: Scandinavia, Germany, and England. The texts will be discussed in the context of medieval culture and society. Most texts come from Iceland, where Germanic literary and cultural traditions were preserved longer than elsewhere. No knowledge of German or any prerequisite is required, only an interest in the topic. German 398K: Genius and Genocide : When considering the tremendous creative achievements which have come from Germany during the past 250 years, some have asked how it is possible for this same nation to commit the unimaginable atrocities of WWII. In this course, we will examine some of the most significant expressions of German ideas, and pose some possible disturbing questions: can attractive ideas contain the potential for abuse? Can idealism be separated from dogmatic or totalitarian attitudes? Is the urge to create and to destroy connected? Does there seem to be a specifically German approach to intellectual questions, and to solving problems of humanity? Artists and creators under consideration include Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, Marx, Wagner, Nietzsche and Thomas Mann. The course ends with a look at sections of Hitler's Mein Kampf German 398M:The Romance of King Arthur in Medieval Germany This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the Middle Ages through the literature of King Arthur, the round table knights, and the grail. Special emphasis will be placed on the ideals of manhood and womanhood in the medieval culture of chivalry. We will also look at the continuation of the Arthurian legend in our own time in films such as Excalibur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. German 398Y: Berlin:Topographies of the Twentieth Century On the map of the twentieth century, all roads lead to Berlin. Site of the inception of two world wars and split in two by a third, the German capital was subject to more reversals of fortune in the twentieth century than practically any other. But the city that endured the hubris of Nazism and the stark divisions of the Cold War also witnessed periods of great triumph and innovation in the literary and visual arts. In this course we will explore how modern Germany’s cultural history played out in Berlin, considering as we go the city’s meteoric growth from town to metropolis in the late nineteenth century; the impact of the Great War on Berliners; Berlin’s status as a center of uninhibited cultural expression in the 1920s; the monumental visions of Nazi urban planners; the city’s destruction in 1945; its division during the Cold War; and the aftermath of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. We will examine how these upheavals are reflected in literature, film, art, architecture, urban design, and the press--and indeed on the city’s very topography. SCCC 365A:Goethe's Life and Major Works: (Honors course, open to other qualified students) This course will deal with the life and major works of Germany's greatest writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) Goethe's eventful life spans the time from the Storm and Stress movement to the end of Romanticism. His life - marked by tempestuous love affairs, extensive travel, experience of war and government - is of exceptional interest, too, as a faithful reflection of the cultural trends and developments of the times. The reading material, all in English, will concentrate on the major works: Faust, Werther, some lyric poetry, Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, The Elective Affinities, and The Italian Journey. SCCC 365D: Wagner: On Trial: Richard Wagner is the most controversial figure to emerge from Germany during the 19th century. Well-known for his anti-Semitism, a galvanizing figure in the establishment of a unified Germany, and a revolutionary in the development of a powerful and highly suggestive musical language, his operas convey a distinctive sound and mood which have continued to attract and repel listeners for over a century and a half, operas which offer a uniqueand highly complex mixture of Germanic legend, 19th-century romanticism, and avant-garde aesthetics. Already during his life, his compositions and radical essays polarized musical and cultural circles, not only in Germany but throughout Europe. SCCC 365F: Our Hitler: Hans -Jurgen Syberberg's 7-hour film Our Hitler(Hitler: Ein Film aus Deutschland ) caused intense controversy amongst scholars and critics onboth sides of the Atlantic upon its release in 1977. Neither a documentary nor a standard dramatization, the film employs the experimental and intentionally alientating Brechtian techniques of New German Cinema as its basic style while conjuring the opposite mood of Wagnerian aesthetic seduction. Our Hitler presumes a sophisticated knowledge of the broad expanse of German cultural and intellectual history as it attempts to show a different way of dealing with the enormous and complex burden post-War Germans continue to face in the wake of their Nazi past. However, this course will not presume such a sophisticated knowledge. Instead, it is intended to be an introduction. Syberberg's film will serve as the lens through which to discover significant aspects of German cultural and intellectual history during the last millennium, including music,literature, philosophy, and art. In the process of going back to the original sources Syberberg cites,the references made in the film will begin to make more sense, and a closer understanding of the tensions between Germany's magnificent cultural heritage and its ongoing embarrassment amongst the civilized nations of the world will become clearer. German 580: Topics in German Film (taught in English): Examination of recurring themes and issues or of significant periods and influential styles in German film. Course content varies and individual topics will be announced with course suffix and title.
Syllabus Spring 2008
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