German Courses
Cat. I
An intensive language course designed to teach concise expression of ideas in writing and speaking. Basic grammar and significant cultural aspects are introduced through the aid of readings, audio-recordings, video, and oral group interaction. (Formerly GN 2616.)
GN 1512. Elementary German II.
Cat. I
A continuation of Elementary German I.
Recommended background: GN 1511.
GN 2511. Intermediate German I.
Cat. I
A continuation of Elementary German II, with increased emphasis on oral and written expression. Basic textbook is supplemented by a collection of simple literary texts by the Grimm brothers, Brecht, and Bichsel.
Recommended background: Elementary German II.
GN 2512. Intermediate German II.
Cat. I
A continuation of Intermediate German I.
Recommended background: GN 2511.
Cat. I
Reading and in-class discussion of a wide variety of contemporary nonfictional and fictional texts. Some video viewing. Weekly brief writing assignments and continued expansion of vocabulary. Weekly vocabulary quiz. Review of grammar and introduction to advanced stylistic problems.
Recommended background: Intermediate German II.
Cat. I
A continuation of Advanced German I.
Recommended background: GN 3511.
GN 3513. Survey of German Civilization and Culture from 1871 to the Present.
Cat. II
Conducted entirely in German, the course presents an overview of the development of modern Germany and its culture since the founding of the Second Empire. Background readings in German and English provide the basis for in-class discussion of selected authentic German texts of various kinds: literary works, official documents, political manifestos, letters, and diaries. At least one film will be shown. A number of recurring themes in German culture will inform the content of the course: authoritarianism versus liberalism, idealism versus practicality, private versus public life.
This course will be offered in 2010-11 and in alternating years thereafter.
Recommended background: GN 3511 (Advanced German I) and GN 3512 (Advanced German II) or equivalent.
GN 3514. Seminar on Selected Topics in German Literature.
Cat. II
The content of the seminar will change from time to time. The course will focus either on an author (e.g., Goethe, Heine, Kafka, Gunter Grass, Christa Wolf ), a genre (e.g., lyric poetry, drama, narrative prose), a literary movement (e.g., Romanticism, expressionism), or a particular literary problem (e.g., literature and technology, writing and the Holocaust, writing and the city). The seminar will be conducted entirely in German.
The course will be offered in 2009-10 and in alternating years thereafter.
Recommended background: GN 3511 (Advanced German I) and GN 3512 (Advanced German II) or equivalent.
GN/ID 3515. Technical Topics in German.
Cat. II
Technical topics are addressed and discussed entirely in German. Germanspeaking faculty from several WPI science and engineering departments, as well as lecturers from outside the university, present a range of topics at an introductory level. The focus of the course is on the use and development of German language skills in a technical context, which will include lectures, presentations, discussions, problem solving, and writing on technical topics. The course can be counted towards a Sufficiency or a minor in German. As the course is to be conducted entirely in German, knowledge of German sufficient for advanced conversations and detailed writing (such as students acquire in GN 3512, Advanced German II, or equivalent) is strongly recommended.
This course will be offered in 2010-11, and in alternating years thereafter.