German

Courses Taught in German

To advance in the G100-G150-G200-G250 sequence, students must earn a grade of C– or higher in the preceding course.

• GER-G 100 Beginning German I (4 cr.) Introduction to present-day German and to selected aspects of the cultures of German-speaking countries. Introduction to German grammatical forms and their functions. Development of listening comprehension, simple speaking proficiency, controlled reading skills and simple written compositions. Active oral participation required. I Sem., II Sem., SS. Credit given for only one of the following: G100–G150 or G105.

• GER-G 105 Accelerated First-Year German (5 cr.) R: Highly motivated students or those with proficiency in another foreign language. All elements of grammar, principles of word formation, phonetic and phonemic concepts, structure analysis, extensive reading, and active use of German. Offered only in the fall semester. Credit given for only one of the following: G105 or G100–G150.

• GER-G 150 Beginning German II (4 cr.) P: G100 with a minimum grade of C–. Introduction to present-day German and to selected aspects of the cultures of German-speaking countries. Introduction to German grammatical forms and their functions. Development of listening comprehension, simple speaking proficiency, controlled reading skills and simple written compositions. Active oral participation required. I Sem., II Sem., SS. Credit given for only one of the following: G100–G150 or G105.

• GER-G 200 Intermediate German I (3 cr.) P: G150 or G105 with a minimum grade of C–. Further development of oral and written command of language structures. Review of selected grammatical items. Listening comprehension. Reading of literary and non-literary texts. Discussion of selected films. Oral presentations. Writing of compositions based on the material covered. Emphasis on both speaking proficiency and structural awareness. Conducted in German. I Sem., II Sem., SS. Credit given for only one of G200 or G106.

• GER-G 250 Intermediate German II (3 cr.) P: G200 with a minimum grade of C–. Further development of oral and written command of language structures. Listening comprehension. Review of selected grammatical items. Discussion of modern German literary and non-literary texts, as well as films. Oral presentations. Writing of compositions based on the material covered. Emphasis on both speaking proficiency and structural awareness. Conducted in German. I Sem., II Sem., SS. Credit given for only one of G250 or G106.

• GER-G 300 Fifth-Semester College German (3 cr.) P: G250 or G106 or equivalent. Comprehensive review of grammatical points introduced in G100 through G250. Reading proficiency, systematic vocabulary building, composition, and discussion through the assignment of short literary texts and one novel or play. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 305 Introduction to German Literature: Types (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G300 or equivalent. Study of literary types (narrative, dramatic, lyric), with examples of each selected from two or more periods. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 306 Introduction to German Literature: Themes (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G300 or equivalent. Study of a single literary theme (such as music, generational conflict, love, revolution) as represented in two or more periods. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 330 Sixth-Semester College German (3 cr.) P: G300 or equivalent. Advanced oral and written communication. Study of selected advanced grammatical topics. Reading of primarily non-literary texts. Required for teacher certification. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 332 Introduction to German Literature and Media (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G300 or equivalent proficiency. Gateway course to the study of German literature and media. Provides the basic tools of the analysis of literature, film and media. Content varies and may focus on either literature or film/media. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 334 Introduction to German Thought and Culture (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC P: G300 or equivalent proficiency. General introduction to German philosophical and cultural traditions from the Middle Ages to the present. Emphasizes some of the most important events of German cultural history and provides the intellectual concepts that lend meaning to those events. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 361 Contemporary Austria (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: Participation in the Graz Summer Program. An on-site introduction to Austrian culture and its roots. Family, education, religion and the arts, music, customs and traditions; the economy and tourist industry; historical relations with Germany and the new identity of the Second Republic. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 362 Introduction to Contemporary Germany (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: G300 or equivalent. An overview of contemporary German civilization, with attention to the other German-speaking countries. Political, economic, and social organization. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 363 Introduction to German Cultural History (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC P: G300 or equivalent. A survey of the cultural history of German-speaking countries, with reference to its social, economic, and political context.
  

• GER-G 375 Conversational German (3 cr.) P: G330. Emphasis on developing oral proficiency. Students are expected to increase their vocabularies, gain more accuracy in self-expression, and develop a sensitivity to appropriate usage. Texts for the course will include examples from contemporary German media. Assignments may include dialogues, skits, and parodies. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 400 Advanced College German (3 cr.) P: G330 or equivalent. Reading, discussion, and analysis (structural and grammatical) of advanced non-literary texts (academic essays, scientific articles, journals, newspaper articles, interviews, etc.). Development of writing skills. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 403 Medieval German Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G330 or equivalent. Introduction to reading Middle High German and survey of Middle High German literature. Historical and cultural background on the Middle Ages in German-speaking countries. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 404 Modern German Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G330 or equivalent. Selection of significant German literary works since 1500. Topic announced in online Schedule of Classes. Conducted in German. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-G 415 Perspectives on German Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G330 or equivalent. Study of one aspect of German literature: formal, historical, political, psychological, etc. Relation to wider concerns in and outside of literature. Topic announced in the online Schedule of Classes. Conducted in German. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-G 416 Studies in German Authors (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: G330 or equivalent. Life and works of a major author or a group of authors. Topic announced in the online Schedule of Classes. Conducted in German. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-G 418 German Film and Popular Culture (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC P: G330 or equivalent. Study of German film and/or other manifestations of German popular culture (television, music, cabaret, Trivialliteratur of the twentieth century).
  

• GER-G 421 Contemporary Germany: Overview (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: G330 or equivalent. Political, sociological, economic, and cultural aspects of present-day Germany. Comparison with adjacent states. Conducted in German. Credit given for only one of G421 or V400.

• GER-G 422 Contemporary Germany: Special Topics in German Studies (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: G330 or equivalent. Topics dealing with language, literature, and culture of any of the German-speaking countries, generally in the more recent historical periods. Conducted in German. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 12 credit hours in G422 and V405.

• GER-G 424 Literature and Society since 1945 (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC P: G330 or equivalent. Major public concerns as reflected in German literature since World War II. Literary art in its cultural and political context. Conducted in German. Credit given for only one of G424 or V406.

• GER-G 448 Introduction to German Phonetics and Phonology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G330 or equivalent. Phonetics of modern German, including practice in transcription, contrastive analysis of English and German, and attention to pronunciation. Brief historical sketch of principal phonological developments. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 451 Introduction to German Syntax (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G330 or equivalent. The syntax of modern German, with a practical introduction to the methods of grammatical analysis. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 453 Introduction to German Sociolinguistics (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: GER-G330 or equivalent. Examines the relationship between language and society in the German-speaking world. Issues include early linguistic socialization, language of institutions (education, medicine, law), language and identity (age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, region), language and multiculturalism, German as a polycentric and as a pan-European language. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 458 Introduction to German Morphology (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: G330 or equivalent. In-depth study of the principles underlying word formation (morphology) in German. Comparative study of inflection, derivation, and compounding in German and English. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 459 Introduction to the History of the German Language (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: G330 or equivalent. Introduction to the German language from its Indo-European origins to the present. Examination of the changing role of German in a changing Europe and to the structure, geo-politics, and sociolinguistics of standard and non-standard varieties of the language. Conducted in German.

• GER-G 464 German Culture and Society (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC P: G330 or equivalent. The interaction of social, intellectual, and artistic forces in German life of the past two centuries, with emphasis on important developments and figures. Conducted in German. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

Reading Knowledge Courses Primarily for Graduate Students

• GER-G 491 Elementary German for Graduate Students (3-4 cr.) Introduction to structure of the language necessary for reading, followed by reading in graded texts of a general nature. Open, with consent of the instructor, to undergraduates who have already completed the language requirement for the B.A. in another language. I Sem., SS. Credit not given for G491 and G100 or G150.

• GER-G 492 Readings in German for Graduate Students (3-4 cr.) P: G491 or consent of department. II Sem., SS. Credit not given for G492 and G106, G200, or G250.

Courses Taught in English

• GER-E 121 An Introduction to German Culture (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Introduction to important events of German cultural history. Rather than sticking to the strict chronology of history, it introduces concepts that lend meaning to chronology in the first place. The course is built around ideas—religion, language, literature, sports, for example—that make sense of the changing flow of events and yield historical narratives.
  

• GER-E 122 Fairy Tales from the Grimm Brothers to Today (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Introduction to Germanic fairy tales. Some of the world's most famous fairy tales are examined in their historical and cultural contexts and read for their contemporary significance. Promotes analysis of European culture revealed in these tales.

• GER-E 124 Marx, Nietzche, Freud, and Company (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Introduces modern European intellectual history, focusing on authors who have changed how we think about the world and our place in it. Studies landmark works and interprets them in the context of various historical and contemporary challenges. May be repeated with a different author or focus for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-E 311 Tradition and Innovation in German Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H Major themes and ideas in prominent works of German literature (lyric, fiction, drama) in translation, selected from various historical periods. Conducted in English. Credit given for only one of E311 or G255.

• GER-E 321 Gender and Sexuality in Germany (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Study of the shifting definitions and social constructions of masculinity, femininity, homosexuality, and related topics, as reflected in the cultural documents (texts, films, music, etc.) of German-speaking society from the Enlightenment to the present. Conducted in English. Credit given for only one of E321 or G277.

• GER-E 322 German Cultural History (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC A survey of the cultural history of German-speaking countries, with reference to its social, economic, and political context. Conducted in English. Credit given for only one of E322 or G364.

• GER-E 323 German Film Culture (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC An introduction to the methods of film studies by examining the aesthetic, sociological, political, and philosophical contexts of German film, as well as its role in the development of European and American cinematic tradition. Conducted in English. Credit given for only one of E323 or G390.

• GER-E 336 Introduction to the Structure of Germanic Languages (3 cr.) CASE N&M Introduction to the comparative linguistic structure of the modern Germanic languages. Does not require specific background in general linguistics or knowledge of a particular language other than English.

• GER-E 361 Vikings and Sagas (3 cr.) CASE A&H Introduction to Viking culture (c. 800–1100) and its reflections in selected sagas. Readings, lectures, and discussions. Conducted in English. Credit given for only one of E361 or G350.

• GER-E 371 Special Topics in Germanic Studies (1-3 cr.) Topics dealing with Germanic languages, literatures, and cultures. Conducted in English. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

Dutch

• GER-N 100 Intensive Dutch I (4 cr.) Development of speaking ability, with stress on pronunciation, leading to fluency on restricted topics. Introduction to grammar. Reading of annotated stories.

• GER-N 105 Accelerated Elementary Dutch (5 cr.) Recommended for motivated students or those with proficiency in another foreign language. All elements of grammar, principles of word formation, phonetic, phonemic concepts, structure analysis, extensive reading, and active use of elementary Dutch. Credit given for only one of N105 or N100-N150.

• GER-N 150 Intensive Dutch II (4 cr.) P: N100 or consent of instructor. Completion of grammatical study begun in N100; continued stress on speaking Dutch on selected topics; rapid expansion of reading ability using literary and cultural materials.

• GER-N 200 Dutch Reading, Composition, and Conversation I (3 cr.) P: N150 or consent of instructor. Development of oral fluency; attention to idiom. Further grammatical study; attention to formal writing style. Readings in Dutch literature and culture.

• GER-N 250 Dutch Reading, Composition, and Conversation II (3 cr.) P: N200 or consent of instructor. Further development of style and idiom in speaking and writing. Reading of novels. Oral and written practice on topics of contemporary Dutch life.

• GER-N 300 Advanced Dutch I (3 cr.) P: N250 with a minimum grade of C–. Comprehensive review of grammatical points introduced in N100 through N250. Reading proficiency, different levels of style and expression, and written argumentation. Discussion through short literary texts and one novel. Conducted in Dutch.

• GER-N 330 Advanced Dutch II (3 cr.) P: N300 with minimum grade of C–. Introduction to different levels of style and expression and to written argumentation in Dutch. Texts include various literary genres and form the basis for in-class discussion and for exercises designed to develop oral and written fluency. Conducted in Dutch.

• GER-E 341 Dutch Culture: The Modern Netherlands (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE GCC Development of a complex modern society of 15 million people in a physically unique area one-third the size of Indiana. The interaction of geography, social structure, political system, religion, and literature. Readings in English. Topics vary. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in E341 and N350.

• GER-E 342 Topics in Dutch Culture and History (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Topics in Dutch history since the Middle Ages. Analyzing, discussing, evaluating and writing about texts and articles about Dutch culture in a specific historical context. Conducted in English. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-E 343 Topics in Dutch Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Topics dealing with literature in Dutch. Readings in English translation of novels, plays, and poetry that reflect a specific topic chosen by the instructor. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-N 400 Topics in Dutch Culture and Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC P: N330 or equivalent. Dutch literature and culture since the Middle Ages. Analyzing, discussing, evaluating and writing about literary texts and articles about Dutch culture through the ages. Conducted in Dutch.

• GER-X 492 Individual Readings in Netherlandic Studies (1-3 cr.) P: Permission of instructor. Individualized reading program in Netherlandic studies, generally designed to deepen foundation laid in previous coursework with the same instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in X492 and N495.

Scandinavian

• GER-K 100 Beginning Norwegian I (4 cr.) Development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills in a cultural context. Introduction to grammar. I Sem.

• GER-K 150 Beginning Norwegian II (4 cr.) P: K100 with a grade of C– or higher, or equivalent. Further development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills. Introduction to Norwegian literature and culture. Review of grammar and study of new grammatical topics. II Sem.

• GER-K 200 Intermediate Norwegian I (3 cr.) P: K150 with a grade of C– or higher, or equivalent. Further development of oral and written command and language structures. Reading and discussion of literary and non-literary texts in a cultural context. Review of grammar and study of grammatical topics.

• GER-K 250 Intermediate Norwegian II (3 cr.) P: K200 with a grade of C– or higher, or equivalent. Advanced reading proficiency, systematic vocabulary building, composition, and discussion of literary and non-literary texts in cultural and historical contexts. Review of grammar. Conducted in Norwegian.

• GER-K 300 Advanced Norwegian I (3 cr.) P: GER-K250 with a minimum grade of C-, or equivalent. Focuses on increasing the structural and textual complexity of speaking and writing in Norwegian. Reviews complex grammar issues and uses a large number of contemporary literary and non-literary texts and visual materials to significantly expand vocabulary. Themes include health, lifestyle, communication, love, gender roles, and socialization.

• GER-K 330 Advanced Norwegian II (3 cr.) P: GER-K300 with a minimum grade of C-, or equivalent. Focuses on increasing the structural and textual complexity of speaking and writing in Norwegian. Reviews complex grammar issues and uses a large number of contemporary literary and non-literary texts and visual materials to significantly expand vocabulary. Themes include language, politics, work, environment, family and education.

• GER-E 362 Topics in Scandinavian Culture (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Topics dealing with language, literature, and culture in Norway and other Scandinavian countries in more recent historical periods. Discussions located within a comparative overview of political, economic, and social realms of the Nordic nations. Lectures in English. Topics vary. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in E362 and K350.

• GER-E 363 Topics in Scandinavian Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Topics dealing with literature in Norway and other Scandinavian countries. Discussions incorporate literary criticism, biography, and adaptations on film and stage in the Nordic nations. Lectures in English. Topics vary. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in E362 and K350.

• GER-S 491 Scandinavian Languages for Reading Knowledge (4 cr.) Introduction to the structure of Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish necessary for reading, followed by reading in graded texts in the area of Scandinavian studies. Open to undergraduates who have already completed the language requirement for the B.A. in another language, and to other undergraduates with the consent of the instructor.

• GER-X 491 Individual Readings in Scandinavian Studies (1-3 cr.) P: Permission of instructor. Individualized reading program in Scandinavian studies, generally designed to deepen foundation laid in previous coursework with the same instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in X491 or K495.

Swedish

• GER-S 100 Beginning Swedish I (4 cr.) Development of communicative skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing in a cultural context. Introduction to grammar and vocabulary.

• GER-S 150 Beginning Swedish II (4 cr.) P: S100 with a grade of C– or higher, or equivalent proficiency. Further development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Swedish. Introduction to Swedish literature and culture. Review of grammar and introduction to new grammatical topics.

Yiddish

• GER-Y 100 Beginning Yiddish I (4 cr.) No previous knowledge of Yiddish or German required for Y100. Introduction to the Yiddish language and selected aspects of Yiddish-language culture. Development of listening comprehension, simple speaking proficiency, controlled reading and writing skills.

• GER-Y 150 Beginning Yiddish II (4 cr.) P: Y100. Introduction to the Yiddish language and selected aspects of Yiddish-language culture. Development of listening comprehension, simple speaking proficiency, controlled reading and writing skills.

• GER-Y 200 Intermediate Yiddish I (3 cr.) P: Y150 or consent of instructor. Development of speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. Review of basic grammar and study of new grammatical topics. Reading of short fictional texts and other writings on Jewish culture. Taught in alternate years.

• GER-Y 250 Intermediate Yiddish II (3 cr.) P: Y200 or consent of instructor. Continuing development of active and passive skills. Additional new grammar concepts. Emphasis on development of reading skills and cultural knowledge through literary and journalistic texts including texts in nonstandardized orthographies. Taught in alternate years.

• GER-E 351 Topics in Yiddish Literature (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Selected topics focusing on Yiddish fiction and drama (1810–1914) or twentieth-century Yiddish fiction, drama, and poetry. Taught in English. No prior knowledge of Yiddish required. Topics vary. May be repeated with a different topic. Students may receive a maximum of 6 credit hours for any combination of E351, Y300, and CMLT-C 377.

• GER-E 352 Topics in Yiddish Culture (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE GCC Selected topics on history of Ashkenazic Jews; Old Yiddish and premodern Yiddish folklore and popular culture; history and sociology of Yiddish; modern Yiddish culture; and centers of modern Yiddish culture. Conducted in English. No prior knowledge of Yiddish required. Topics vary. May be repeated with a different topic. Students may receive a maximum of 6 credit hours for any combination of E352, Y350, and CMLT-C 378.

• GER-X 493 Individual Readings in Yiddish Studies: Language, Literature, Culture (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Readings in Yiddish or English translations on a topic in Yiddish Culture. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours in X493 and Y495.

Other Courses

• GER-X 371 College Teaching Internship (2 cr.) P: G330 and consent of director of undergraduate studies. Observation of and participation in the teaching of an undergraduate German course. Recommended for teacher certification candidates. Counts toward teacher certification but not toward 400-level concentration in German. Credit given for only one of X371 or G430.

• GER-G 396 German Language Abroad (1-6 cr.) P: G250 or equivalent; acceptance into an Indiana University–approved overseas study program. Credit for intermediate to advanced German language study in a German-speaking country when no specific equivalent is available among departmental offerings. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.

• GER-G 397 Residential Workshop (1-2 cr.) P: Consent of chairperson and instructor. Discussion and workshop (performance, drama reading, etc.) given in residential units; conducted in German. Topic set in consultation with student group. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-G 399 Honors Tutorial (1-2 cr.) P: Consent of departmental honors advisor. Honors course. Tutorial may be taken for 1 credit hour in conjunction with an upper-level course in which the student is concurrently enrolled, or independently for 2 credit hours under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.

• GER-X 490 Individual Readings in Germanic Literatures (German, Scandinavian, Netherlandic) (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of departmental chairperson. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in X490 and G495.

• GER-G 496 Advanced German Language Abroad (1-6 cr.) P: G330 or equivalent; acceptance into an Indiana University–approved overseas study program. Credit for advanced German language study in a German-speaking country when no specific equivalent is available among departmental offerings. Maybe repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

• GER-G 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.) P: G399 and consent of departmental honors advisor. Honors course.