Native speakers or students with any German credits from high school MUST take the German placement test before being admitted to their first German course at SEU. Classes are formatted as language labs, using the Internet as an instructional tool. Each course is worth three credit hours.
GERM 1310 Introduction
to the Culture of Germany
Taught in English. Introduction to the contemporary culture of Germany
and the historical development of cultural norms, customs, and popular
and fine arts of the German people. Topics addressed include geography
of Germany and Europe, contemporary values, and religious, social, and
political structure. Examples of German literature in translation, music,
film, video and other media will supplement traditional textbooks as source
material for assignments and class discussion.
GERM 1311 German I
A beginning course stressing comprehension, speaking, reading
and writing skills.
GERM 1312 German II
Prerequisite: GERM 1311 or placement test
A continuation of development of fundamental skills stressed in German
I with further development of vocabulary and grammatical structures needed
for basic competence. Students learn to speak and comprehend German sufficiently
for all situations in daily life and for basic academic conversation.
Completion of GERMI and GERMII satisfies SEU core requirements for language.
GERM 2311 German III
Prerequisite: GERM 1312 or placement test
The course begins with a short review of basic grammatical patterns taught
at the introductory level. Continued development of vocabulary, listening
comprehension, reading and writing skills. Reading and writing assignments
reinforce students' command of more complex grammatical structures and
provide topics for oral discussion.
GERM 2312 German IV
Prerequisite: GERM 2311 or placement test
Continuation of development of intermediate level skills in listening
comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Cultural and literary readings
are added to increase exposure to the language and to provide topics for
short oral presentations. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare
students for the certification exam, the Zertificat Deutsch.
GERM 3331 Advanced Culture
and Civilization of Modern Germany GERM 3334 Business German
GERM 3335 Advanced Conversation
and Composition GERM 3338 Topics in Language,
Literature or Culture GERM 3350 Internship
Prerequisites: GERM 1310 recommended. For
German credit: GERM 2312, placement test, or permission of instructor
The traditions, values, institutions, and arts of modern Germany are examined
with a view toward understanding contemporary cultural patterns and their
historical antecedents. This course focuses especially on the radical changes
in German society through the twentieth century. Class conducted in German
and English. For upper level credit in German, students read articles from
the Suddentsche Ziteung in addition to parallel textbook assignments and
write at least one paper in German.
Prerequisite: GERM 22 or permission of instructor
A high intermediate level course which develops an understanding of German
business culture as well as the lexicon utilized in different areas of
business, such as accounting, banking, credit, management and marketing.
Practical application is achieved through projects centered in the local
or regional community. Readings from current publications will help students
understand business and economic trends in modern Germany. Requires a
minimum of intermediate proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and
writing. Some background in business courses is helpful, but not required.
Prerequisites: GERM 2312, placement test, or permission of instructor
Command of the language is the main goal of the course; both spoken and
written German will be practiced. Emphasis is on the development of oral
communication skills through a series of activities, beginning with informal
speaking situations and progressing to formal oral presentations. Vocabulary
development, standard pronunciation and grammar are stressed. Written
assignments will complement the evolution of critical thinking by focusing
on the basics of reasoning and value analysis.
May be repeated for credit
Study of literature of a specific period, region, genre or theme. Sample
topics include an examination of the works of major novelists, short stories,
turn-of-the-century literature in translation, film as literature. Class
is conducted in English. Students pursuing the German minor will study
portions of the required reading in its original text and write at least
one of the required papers in German.
Instructor permission required
This course is for advanced students, ideally those who have already completed
a minor in German or who have at least passed the Zertifikat Deutsch
examination offered by the Goethe Institute (administered in Houston,
Taos, or at St. Edward's). The internship gives students an opportunity
to put language skills into use in a specific professional setting, in
Germany or in the United States. Students will continue to develop specialized
communication skills and will be supervised by a member of the German
faculty. They may tutor or teach basic German language skills in schools
or private businesses that need individuals who can communicate in written
or oral German. Specific objectives will be developed for each intern,
taking into account the needs and goals of that student. Internships in
Germany, especially in the city of Koblenz, may be arranged for summer
and academic year sessions. Students must preregister for internship courses.
[German Minor Program] [German Certification]
[Department Faculty] [German Summer School]
[Study Abroad] [Intern Abroad]
[Former Students' Stories]
