German
Undergraduate Programs
Description
The programs serve students who are seeking high proficiency in German language and cultural studies. Programs courses focus on real-world communication skills, and our instructors promote a student-centered, immersion- based learning environment that encourages the open exchange of ideas, instills awareness of cultural differences, and encourages a deeper understanding of events, institutions, and traditions. Students are asked to reflect on the nature and value of literary, cinematic, and artistic works as part of a larger inquiry into the making of cultures. Coursework fosters self-awareness and respect for others through reading and discussion, and offers opportunities for interaction with a wide variety of people, products, and perspectives from German-speaking countries, and numerous other regions in which German is an official or commonly spoken language.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| German BA | BA - Bachelor of Arts |
|
36 / 120 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| German Minor |
|
16 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum university admission requirements are:
- a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 ("C").
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all German courses. Contact the department for application procedures.
GPA Policy. A grade of "C-" or better must be earned for major or minor credit.
P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a major or minor must be done for a letter grade above the second-year level. A grade of "P" must be earned for major or minor credit in all work done on a P/N basis.
Proficiency Policies. Students with high school language experience may take the CLEP test for a maximum of 12 credits. Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to evaluate their proficiency. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. The department reserves the right to deny admission to courses for those students whom a faculty member determines to have mastered the material already.
Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French, German, Spanish, Swedish or Norwegian may do so by taking a language competency exam under the rules for credit by exam (see above section). Students do not meet the BA language requirements merely because they have taken two years of high school language.
Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of World Languages & Cultures for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State Mankato as follows. Major: a minimum of eight credits upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study. At least one of these courses must be at the 400 level. Minor: a minimum of one upper division course other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least four credits.
Courses not required for a student's specific baccalaureate degree should be chosen according to these general guidelines:
BA: Emphasis on literature in upper-division courses; students will most likely pursue their education beyond the baccalaureate level.
BS: Emphasis on the ability to communicate in the language; presupposes knowledge of culture and civilization; students frequently have career goals in other disciplines for which a language is either required or recommended.
BS German Teaching: Emphasis on communication (four skills plus culture and language analysis).
Contact Information
227 Armstrong Hall
Director (507) 389-5531Main Office (507) 389-2116
https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/world-languages-and-cultures/german-program/
Faculty
Program Director
- Nadja Krämer, Ph.D.
Faculty
100 Level
Credits: 4
Introduction to German for students with little or no language experience.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
Prereq: GER 101 or equivalentPrerequisites: GER 101 or equivalent
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08
Diverse Cultures: Purple
200 Level
Credits: 4
A review of German structure and its application to reading, conversation, and composition. Prereq: GER 102 or equivalentPrerequisites: GER 102 or equivalent
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
Prereq: GER 201 or equivalentPrerequisites: GER 201 or equivalent
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English through the lens of literary and cultural criticism with the focus on German studies, and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08
Diverse Cultures: Purple
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: as appropriate for level of project
300 Level
Credits: 1-4
Topics will vary and course may be repeated for credit. Language topics include pronunciation and intonation, advanced grammar, etc. The focus is on advanced oral or written communication. Prereq: Two years of university level German or equivalent.Prerequisites: Two years of university level German or equivalent.
Credits: 4
Intensive practice in speaking and writing for students who have completed the intermediate sequence or equivalent. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalentPrerequisites: completion of GER 202 or equivalent.
Credits: 1-4
Discussion and analysis of major themes and movements based on selected readings from representative authors from the German-speaking world. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalentPrerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent
Credits: 1-4
Major cultural and historical aspects of German from ancient times to the present. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalentPrerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent
Credits: 1-6
Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Intermediate SequencePrerequisites: Intermediate Sequence
400 Level
Credits: 4
Intensive practice in speaking and writing German. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level course in German.Prerequisites: Completion of at least one 300 level course in German.
Credits: 1-4
Topics vary and course may be repeated if a different topic/genre is the focus. Major writers from German speaking countries. Genres include novel, poetry, theatre, short story, etc. Prereq: completion of readings 302 or equivalentPrerequisites: Completion of readings GER 302 or equivalent
Credits: 1-4
The course deals with the complex cultural traditions and political histories of German-speaking countries in Central Europe, such as the metropolis Berlin, the Holocaust, minority voices. Topics vary and the course may be repeated if a different topic is the focus. Fall, SpringPrerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Topics may vary. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion and analysis of German phonetics and syntax and historical linguistics, for example. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level German course.Prerequisites: Completion of a least one 300 level German course.
Credits: 4
The course explores 20th and 21st century German film in historical, social, cultural contexts and events. Topics may be a survey, or concentration on Weimar Cinema, New German Cinema, East German Cinema, transnational cinema. Topics vary. Course may be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
An individual project by German majors or minors that demonstrates the ability to focus on a specific topic or question in-depth in the field of German culture and literature studies. Approval required by a designated advisor in the German program.Prerequisites: GER 340, GER 341, GER 342, GER 343, GER 441. Student has to be admitted as a German major or minor and of senior standing.
Credits: 1-6
Study for credit must be arranged by contract prior to departure. Prereq: Experience appropriate for level of credit.Prerequisites: Experience appropriate for level of credit
Credits: 1-6
Prereq: Experience appropriate to project.Prerequisites: Experience appropriate to project
Credits: 1-4
Prereq: As appropriate for level of project.Prerequisites: As appropriate for level of project
