Course Schedule

GER 101 – Beginning German I

Introduction to German language and culture, developing basic communication skills for learners with no prior knowledge of German (not including GER courses offered in English for General Education).

GER 102 – Beginning German II

Introduction to German language and culture, extending basic communication skills (second semester).

GER 114 – How to Learn a Foreign Language

The goal of the course is to provide students with important tools to help them become successful foreign language learners. Students will become familiar with basic elements of language such as parts of speech and the pronunciation of new sounds as a means of enabling them to anticipate and effectively deal with problems in pronunciation, vocabulary building, and sentence formation that often come up in foreign language study. They will also learn about the intertwining of culture and language, such as how expressions of politeness and body language differ across cultures. They will also be exposed to different language teaching and learning styles, typical mistakes language learners make, and strategies for making language learning more effective. This information will be presented in the context of the wide variety of languages taught at the University of Arizona

GER 150A1 – Becoming Multilingual: Learning and Maintaining Two or More Languages

This course explores the human ability to acquire and maintain two, three, or more languages over a lifetime (i.e., the ability to become multilingual). It examines the factors that contribute to successful language learning and maintenance and that counteract language forgetting and loss. It discusses ways (methods, approaches, and strategies) through which languages can be taught in child-and adulthood, in family and school settings, and demonstrates the importance of multilingual and multicultural skills in a variety of professions. At the end of the course, participants will have gained insights that will help them make informed decisions with respect to their own language learning and use while in college, in their professional careers, and in their (future) families.

GER 160A1 – From Animation to Zombies: The Ethics, (Bio)Politics and Aesthetics of Defining Life

What is life? This course invites you to probe the definitions of one of the most central terms of human existence from A like animation (or animals, AI, aliens) to Z like zombies. In order to understand and critically examine what constitutes life in diverse cultural contexts and at different historical moments, and how these definitions have been shaping the way various life forms have been treated, we will engage with interdisciplinary perspectives from the sciences, arts, and humanities that will help us explore the ethical, (bio)political, and aesthetic consequences of defining life and its limits.

GER 201 – Intermediate German I

Introduction to German language and culture, refining communication skills (third semester).

GER 202 – Intermediate German II

Topic-based practice of communication skills in German (listening, reading, speaking, writing), systematic review of German grammar (fourth semester).

GER 244 – Real Talk: Why Language Matters

In this course, students study conversational talk and its relationship to broader topics like identity, sexism, racism, and linguistic discrimination in the humanities, literary studies, cultural studies, and applied linguistics. This course emphasizes the conversational experiences of those who experience privilege and marginalization, drawing on intercultural texts and perspectives originating in German-language contexts. Using the tools and methods of conversation analysis, students collect and analyze their own conversations and learn how to write for a variety of discipline-specific contexts and genres. Taught in English.

GER 246 – German Culture, Science and Technology

This course explores shifting attitudes towards science, technology, nature, and the environment in the German-speaking world, through a range of cultural works (e.g., media documents, literary texts, films). In addition to examining the ways in which technological and ecological ethics have changed over history, the course will also consider what roles cultural works have played in public debates around scientific discoveries and technological advances.

GER 301 – German Cultural and Literary History

German 301 is an intermediate/advanced course for students to expand their knowledge of the cultural history of the German-speaking countries. The course advances students' ability to discuss and write critically about literature, film, and other cultural artifacts related to key moments in German history. Taught in German.

GER 302 – German Conversations

Development of conversational competence including speaking and listening skills and pragmatic awareness, with a focus on topics related to contemporary German-speaking societies.

GER 315 – German for Professional Purposes

German 315 is an intermediate/advanced course for students who want to develop linguistic and cultural proficiency in skills related to professional life in German-speaking countries. The emphasis is on practical, career-oriented competencies, e.g., interviews, job search and application materials, workplace communication and presentation, etc. Taught in German.

GER 371 – Contemporary German Culture

This course introduces students to topics that shape contemporary Germany. We will examine a broad range of topics addressed in films, literature, public debates and consider Germany's role in a global setting. Taught in English.

GER 376 – German-Jewish Writers

Focuses on the contributions of Jewish writers to German culture. Taught in English.

GER 393 – Internship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

GER 399H – Honors Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

GER 411 – Dealing with the Past

Examines how German writers, artists, or filmmakers have sought to come to terms with the past. Taught in German.

GER 496C – Senior Seminar: 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 498 – Senior Capstone

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.

GER 498H – Honors Thesis

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

GER 499H – Honors Independent Study

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.