GER 507 – Criticism and Creativity in German Culture

Examines the relationship between theories of literature and literary practice, and the question of the nature of writing in general.

GER 508 – Approaches to German Studies

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 596B – L2 Acquisition and Teaching

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 596Y – Topics in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching

Cross Listed

This seminar is designed to give a weekly topical treatment to a number of pertinent issues in teaching academic writing to linguistically and culturally diverse learners. Through a comprehensive overview of the research base in academic writing in ESL, this course will explore pedagogical implications of L2 writing theories and research findings by engaging students in a number of projects and tasks. Topics vary with instructor. Please check with the SLAT Faculty Advisor.

GER 599 – Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

GER 500 – Intensive Reading German for the Sciences and Humanities

Rapid acquisition of reading proficiency in German. No prior knowledge of German is necessary. Proficiency certification obtained from this course fulfills graduate foreign language requirement is some departments (consult department for information).

GER 513 – Visual Culture

The course focuses on the interrelationship between images and texts and on images as texts in various medium. Images here are understood as symbolic representations of culture that arise out of social contexts that produce and distribute them both locally and globally.

GER 534 – Literacy through Literature

Cross Listed

Exploration of the concept of literacy in the field of second language acquisition and the role that literature can play in the acquisition and teaching of literacy in a foreign or second language. Includes a critical review of theoretical readings from the fields of applied linguistics, second language acquisition theory, education, pedagogy and stylistics and the development of teaching practices, reflecting these theories.

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 587 – Assessment in Second/Foreign Language Learning

Cross Listed

The primary objective of this course is the development of language teachers' assessment literacy, which includes knowledge of key assessment principles and skill in creating or adopting assessment tools and procedures for the language classroom. Participants in this course will develop their knowledge and skills related to assessing all skill areas in the language classroom, including productive skills (writing, speaking), receptive skills (reading, listening), and assessing grammar and vocabulary. Grading and student evaluation will also be important topics of consideration and exploration in this course. Designed specifically for in-service (and pre-service) language teachers, the course combines theory with practice by covering essential principles of effective classroom assessment and the development of effective assessment tools for classroom use. Participants completing this course will become more assessment literate and better able to evaluate student performance in their classrooms fairly and effectively.

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 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.

GER 920 – Dissertation

Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).