Course Schedule

GER 518 – Intercultural Communication and Second Language Acquisition

Cross Listed

Intercultural Communication (ICC) and Second Language Acquisition (SLA) is a graduate course on theory, research and practice of communication between people from different cultures and how it relates to language learning. The course is designed for future language professionals (e.g., teachers, translators, and researchers). It will (a) help them prepare themselves for intercultural encounters and develop the skills needed to communicate effectively and appropriately when interacting and collaborating with people that are culturally different from themselves and (2) it will help them prepare to teach, and/or conduct research about ICC and SLA.

GER 561 – The Task of the Translator

This course will combine insights from Translation Studies, applied linguistics, and German cultural / literary studies to help students develop skills, knowledge, and experience in translating a number of literary and non-literary genres, including song texts, short essays, advertising texts, everyday speech, and historical artifacts. We will learn about how to negotiate literal and connotative meaning across codes, idioms, cultures, communities, and symbolic systems. We will explore the idea of "being a translator" as an everyday social and cultural practice. Graduate-level requirements include a final paper.

GER 579 – Second/Foreign Language Teaching and Learning

Cross Listed

This class is intended to prepare students to teach a second/foreign language. It will provide students with the essential foundations in language teaching methodology and theory, pedagogical grammar, curriculum and materials development, classroom management, and formal and informal assessment techniques. In addition, students will gain practical knowledge through video practicum components, which allow them to watch and reflect on actual classroom teaching. Students will complete this program with the pedagogical knowledge and practical understanding necessary to be confident and effective language teachers.

GER 596Y – Proseminar in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching

Cross Listed · Regular or Alternative Grades: ABCDE or SPCDE

The purpose of the Proseminar is to provide incoming SLAT major and minor students with a forum in which they can acquire knowledge about current major issues in the field of Applied Linguistics and methods applied to investigate them, critically engage with research and scholarship, and develop a stance in relation to these major issues. Please register through the SLAT Program Coordinator.

GER 501 – Appropriating and Reshaping the Past

Examines the creative reception of cultural artifacts found in oral traditions, religion, politics, historical events and the arts in German-speaking cultures.

GER 516 – Advanced Research Methods in Transcultural German Studies

This course helps students bring a previous research project to a new level of excellence and cultivates advanced competence in interdisciplinary research methods in German Studies, with equal attention afforded to literary/cultural and applied linguistic/pedagogical approaches.

GER 580 – Applied Linguistics for German as a Foreign Language

Cross Listed

Issues in and methods of applied linguistics with emphasis on Germanic languages. Student taking GER 480 for German Studies credit must have advanced proficiency in German. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper on an aspect of applied linguistic research. Students taking GER 580 for German Studies credit must have advanced proficiency in German.

GER 596C – Culture

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

GER 596J – Second Language Acquisition Research

Cross Listed

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

GER 615 – Second Language Acquisition Theory

Cross Listed

Survey of major perspectives on second language acquisition processes, including interlanguage theory, the Monitor Model, acculturation/pidginization theory, cognitive/connectionist theory, and linguistic universals. Analysis of research from the different perspectives includes consideration of grammatical, pragmatic, and sociolinguistic dimensions of language learning.