Undergraduate Catalog 2005- 2006

German

Department of Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030

Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: linguistics.buffalo.edu

Karin Michelson
Chair

David Fertig
Program Director
fertig@buffalo.edu

Robert Hoeing
Director of Undergraduate Studies
rghoeing@buffalo.edu

About the Program

Note: See Professor Fertig for matters regarding first and second year language instruction; see Professor Hoeing for matters concerning the German major and minor.

The German language is spoken by 120 million people mainly living in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. German is a major international language of commerce, diplomacy, and scholarly investigation in many fields.

Germany today is the economic cornerstone of the European Union and as such is not only an important trading partner of the United States, it is also one of our most important political allies in Europe. After German reunification, the peoples of Eastern Europe chose German as their second language. They clearly recognize Germany as an important economic and political power of the present and future. Any future development and job opportunities in this important arena will involve German culture and language.

Advisement

The German program offers a focused yet varied curriculum designed to provide students with the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge necessary for a B.A. degree. The program offers many options of study beyond elementary and intermediate language instruction, including courses in literature, linguistics, culture, and business German. Many students combine a major in German studies with another major, thus improving their chances for career opportunities in an increasingly international marketplace.

Practical Experience and Special Opportunities

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section or contact the Study Abroad Programs office at (716) 645-3912.

Students seeking teacher certification should plan their programs with particular care in order to accommodate the required semester of the professional sequence during their senior year. For information about certification, contact the Teacher Education Institute, Graduate School of Education, 375 Baldy Hall.

Career Opportunities/Further Study

German majors find increasing employment opportunities in business (e.g., companies with German-American connections); interpretation (e.g., the U.N., travel agencies, tourism bureaus, and broadcasting); government (e.g., FBI or other international government agencies); and translation (e.g., of scientific works, literature, and government documents).

German - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses or their equivalents.

Advising Notes

Minimum GPA of 2.0 in required courses.

Students may substitute three or four courses taken in other departments that are relevant to Germanic studies with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies in German.

Up to five 300/400-level courses (15 credit hours) may be taken through the study abroad program.

300-level courses require intermediate-level proficiency.

Prerequisite Courses

GER 101-GER 102 Elementary German 1st-2nd semester* or GER 104 Transitional Elementary German*
GER 151-GER 152 Intermediate German I-II*

Required Courses

Ten 300/400-level GER courses, in addition to prerequisite elementary or intermediate German language courses, as necessary*

Summary
Total required credit hours for the major...30

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

FIRST YEAR
Fall - Elementary or intermediate German*
Spring - Elementary or intermediate German*

SECOND YEAR
Fall - Elementary or intermediate German*; one or two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring - Elementary or intermediate German*; one or two 300/400-level GER courses (on completion of GER 152)

THIRD YEAR
Fall - Two or three 300/400-level GER courses
Spring - Two or three 300/400-level GER courses

FOURTH YEAR
Fall - Two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring - Two 300/400-level GER courses

*Appropriate level is based upon placement and/or previous experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Professor Robert G. Hoeing at (716) 645-2177, ext. 739 or rghoeing@buffalo.edu; or Professor David Fertig at (716) 645-2177, ext. 738 or fertig@buffalo.edu.


German - Minor

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses or their equivalents.

Advising Notes

Substitutions are subject to approval by the director of undergraduate studies in German.
300-level courses require intermediate-level proficiency.

Prerequisite Courses

GER 101-GER 102 Elementary German 1st-2nd semester* or GER 104 Transitional Elementary German*
GER 151-GER 152 Intermediate German I-II*

Required Courses

Six 300/400-level GER courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

*Appropriate level is based upon placement and/or previous experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Professor Robert G. Hoeing at (716) 645-2177, ext. 739 or rghoeing@buffalo.edu; or Professor David Fertig at (716) 645-2177, ext. 738 or fertig@buffalo.edu.

Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor...18



Course Descriptions

GER 101 Elementary German 1st Semester

Credits:  5
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a communicative context; for beginners.

 

GER 102 Elementary German 2nd Semester

Credits:  5
Semester:
Prerequisites:  GER 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a communicative context; for beginners.

GER 104 Transitional Elementary German

Credits:  4
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Review course for students with the Regents’ diploma or with prior elementary-level instruction.

 

GER 111 Reading German for Beginners I

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Concentrates on the development of “decoding” of German texts from several disciplines (such as the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). Includes basic grammar instruction and extensive vocabulary memorization, but no practice in speaking or listening.

GER 112 Reading German for Beginners II

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Concentrates on the development of “decoding” of German texts from several disciplines (such as the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). Includes basic grammar instruction and extensive vocabulary memorization, but no practice in speaking or listening.

 

GER 151 Intermediate German I

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  GER 102 or GER 104, or equivalent
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides further practice in the language with increased attention to conversational and written skills; helps students attain intermediate-level proficiency.

GER 152 Intermediate German II

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides further practice in the language with increased attention to conversational and written skills; helps students attain intermediate-level proficiency.

 

GER 271 German for Business

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  intermediate proficiency
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Permits intensive practice in learning specialized vocabulary and concepts of German business, along with reading business texts and developing conversational skills in business situations.

GER 272 German for Business

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  intermediate proficiency
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Permits intensive practice in learning specialized vocabulary and concepts of German business, along with reading business texts and developing conversational skills in business situations.

 

GER 301 Survey of German Cultural History I

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  intermediate proficiency
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores major cultural and intellectual movements in German thought, society, literature, and the arts within the context of German history. The first semester covers the period from earliest Germanic times to 1750, the second from 1750 to the present. Classes are normally conducted in German.

GER 302 Survey of German Cultural History II

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores major cultural and intellectual movements in German thought, society, literature, and the arts within the context of German history. The first semester covers the period from earliest Germanic times to 1750, the second from 1750 to the present. Classes are normally conducted in German.

 

GER 337 Advanced Conversation and Composition

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  intermediate proficiency
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Enhances the speaking and writing skills of students who have attained intermediate-level proficiency. Activities include intensive small-group discussions on topics of current interest, and frequent writing exercises to refine compositional skills. Instruction exclusively in German.

GER 338 Stylistics and Translation

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Allows analysis of and practice in various styles of expression in German, as well as the study of idiomatic usages in the language. Instruction is exclusively in German.

 

GER 404 Readings in Old Norse Literature

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Involves readings in Norse mythology and the Icelandic sagas, as well as the cultural history of the Vikings.

GER 408 The Structure of Modern German Grammar

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Incorporates linguistic analysis of the phonetic, phonological, morphological, and syntactic structure of German. Includes a survey of the more important theories of German syntax, as well as preliminary investigation into semantics, if time allows.

 

GER 410 Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Intensive research on a selected topic in German studies.

GER 414 History of the English Language

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces the linguistic and cultural development of the English language from its beginnings to the present.

 

GER 415 History of the German Language

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces the linguistic and cultural development of the German language from its beginnings to the present. Instruction is usually in German.

GER 420 Grimm’s Fairy Tales

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Allows in-depth study of traditional Märchen and Sagen, and Kunst-Märchen, as well as a survey of Germanic mythologies and legends. Instruction is usually in German.

 

GER 439 German Prose: The Novelle

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies the masterworks of the novelle genre in German literature from the romantic period to the early twentieth century. Readings and discussion are in German.

GER 449 Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Explores a selected topic in German linguistics, literature, or cultural history.

 

GER 450 Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Explores a selected topic in German linguistics, literature, or cultural history.

GER 499 Independent Study

Credits:  1 - 16
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

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Allows independent and intensive research on a selected topic in German studies.

  

Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:48:51 AM

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