German Undergraduate Course Synopsis

German 109: Beginning German I: (3 credit hrs.) This course is designed for students who have not previously studied German or for those who have received a G1 score on the University of South Carolina German Placement Test. Particular emphasis is placed on establishing the basis for subsequent development of functional levels of reading, listening, and speaking ability in modern German through the use of authentic German video, audio, and reading materials. This course is the first half of the sequence needed to fulfill the university-wide core-curriculum foreign language requirement. Also taught in the evening. 

German 110:Beginning German II : (3 credit hrs.) This second 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. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the university core-curriculum foreign language requirement.
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. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the university core-curriculum requirement. It also allows the student to enroll in German 122 in the summer or fall, which means that Liberal Arts and Science and Mathematics 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 to students who have had a minimum of two years German instruction in high school or the equivalent and have received a G2 score on the University of South Carolina German Placement Test. The most basic features of the language are reviewed, but emphasis is placed on using knowledge of the structure of German to establish the basis for later development of a usable level of ability in reading, listening, speaking, and writing through the use of authentic German video, audio, and reading materials. Also taught in the evening. 

German 122: Basic Proficiency in German: (3 credit hrs.) This course is open only to those students who have successfully completed German 110, 111, 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 a usable level of ability in reading, listening, speaking, and writing modern German. The course includes some instruction in everyday German culture. Also taught in the evening. Successful completion of the exit examination fulfills the foreign language requirement for the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Science and Mathematics. 

German 210: Intermediate German : (Prereq.: Germ 122 or satisfactory score on Phase II placement test.) Listening and speaking are stressed in this course. Read contemporary German texts, watch German video films, listen to authentic German, participate in different classroom activities, have fun, and you will learn to speak enough to get along in Germany as a tourist. 

German 211: Intermediate German: (Prereq.: Germ 122 or satisfactory score on phase II placement test.) short stories, legends and fairy tales are the basis for developing reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. Emphasis is on reading and writing. You may also bring materials to class you have always wanted to read and understand! 

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) Only German spoken here! This course continues practice in the four skills, but emphasis is placed on correct, idiomatic oral expression. The textbook will be continued in 311. 

German 311: German Conversation & Composition : (Prereq.: Germ 210 and 211 or equivalent) German spoken and written here. This course continues practice in the four skills, but emphasis is placed on correct written expression. This necessarily entails a grammar review; which will proceed from student errors. A student who has completed this course is eligible to participate in the Bamberg Exchange Program to study at the University of Bamberg for one year (application deadline: October; study-abroad subsidies available). The acquired language skills should suffice for successful study abroad. 

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 340: Reading in German Literature (Prereq.: Germ 310 and 311 or consent of instructor) If you do not know what literary genres are, you need this course! Poems and short fiction from various literary periods, the novels Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink and Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. by Ulrich Plenzdorf as well as the drama Andorra by Max Frisch are analyzed according to form and content and discussed in their historical context. Three short papers, three exams including the final, and one presentation are required. 

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. The course also includes an introduction to basic concepts of linguistics, including German sociolinguistics, and a brief overview of the history of the German language. 

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. The course will emphasize major works of the period 1774-1832, centering on a careful reading of Goethe's Faust. Good reading knowledge of German is required. 

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: Romanticism, political unrest, revolution and its aftermath, unification, the changing values that prepared the 20th century. 

German 450: German Literature and Culture of the Twentieth century: (Prereq.: Germ 340 or consent of instructor) Readings and discussions in German. Works of all genres by famous authors, reflecting the political and cultural changes of this century: From Gerhart Hauptmann to Günter Grass, including writers from the former Federal Republic of Germany such as Christa Wolf. 

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 the middle ages to the late 20th century, including the visual arts, music,and philosophy, 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]: The course simultaneously presents an introduction to the concepts of general linguistics and a discussion of the structure of modern German. Attention is paid to phonetics/phonology, morphology,syntax, and semantics. In addition to these theoretical and descriptive aspects, there is also discussion of German sociolinguistics, including the national varieties of Standard German in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxemburg, German dialects, and Umgangssprache. 

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. 

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. 

World War II in German Film : The process of "Vergangenheitsbewaltigung" or "overcoming the past" has been a major theme in German culture since the end of the Second World War. Has the 20th century's most popular cultural medium been used to reflect this process, and, if so, how? When did Germans start making films about World War II, and how are Germans and their enemies portrayed? Do the films attempt to reflect the "state of self-awareness" in the culture,or are they efforts by the film maker to influence public opinion?After introducing the "image of Germany" as presented on film during the Nazi era, this course will look at German films made between 1946 and 1996,which in the broadest sense deal with the war years. The mixed medium of film will be approached in an interdisciplinary manner, investigating and discussing the works primarily within their historical and cultural context, as well as considering their literary, visual, musical and technical aspects.