The Deutsche Sommerschule von New Mexico welcomes students of all ages, backgrounds, and interests dedicated to expanding their knowledge of the German language and culture. During the entire 4-1/2 week stay, all participants pledge to speak only German, both inside and outside the classroom. Due to this total immersion approach, students often gain near-native fluency or advance an entire level. While attending the Deutsche Sommerschule, faculty and students live and work in the beautifully renovated Snakedance Condominiums.
The broad curriculum consists of undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as workshops on many aspects of German language and culture. Participants can focus on literature, culture, history, politics, or performing arts. Students choose courses appropriate to their level and interest, from third-year language classes to graduate seminars. In addition, we offer a lecture series with changing themes that emulates study at a German university. The 2012 lecture series is on ?Erinnerungen an die Zukunft, and presents current trends in German-speaking countries. The curriculum is further complemented by evening presentations and lectures by visiting scholars, authors-in-residence, artists-in-residence, and guest lecturers.
This year, the two-week Teacher Training Seminars are taught by three experts. These seminars are of interest to anybody currently teaching German or preparing for a teaching career in German. They offer hands-on advice to teachers at all levels who want to earn advanced credits, increase their oral proficiency, and enhance their overall teaching efficiency. Teachers may attend the whole session or just the second half of the program from July 11-27, 2012.
Extra-curricular activities complement the learning experience at this summer school. Students can hike the Wheeler Peak trail to more than 13,000 feet, explore the beauty of the Rio Grande River, visit Taos Pueblo, stroll through the art galleries, visit the Santa Fe Opera, attend concerts of the internationally acclaimed Taos School of Music, or just play volley ball. While a traditional Frühschoppen marks the transition to the second-half of the program, the end of the program is celebrated with a Talentabend, a fun-filled evening of student skits and performances.
Students may also obtain Language Proficiency Certification. Administered by the Goethe-Institut, these exams satisfy admission requirements of various German universities. Depending on their level, participants can take Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (basic level), the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 (basic intermediate level), the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (intermediate advanced level), or the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (advanced level).
Students can earn a Master of Arts degree in German Studies, within four to five summer sessions, or one to three summer sessions in addition to course work taken on campus. With the approval of the student's graduate unit, a maximum of 50 percent of course work required for a M.A. degree may consist of a combination of applied/transfer credits, but can not include more than six credit hours in non-degree status.
The University of Arizona and the Department of German Studies are an official partner of the Deutsche Sommerschule. More information can be found here http://germansummerschool.unm.edu/
