German

Introduction

The German program at Dickinson offers students a variety of courses in language, literature and culture. Classes are small and intensive. The study of the German language is seen as preparatory to the upper-level courses in literature and culture. The 200-level courses introduce students to German culture, to advanced language study, and to the study of German literature. Courses numbered in the 300's are offerings in the most important literary movements, German film, and Popular Culture. Special topics courses are also offered on a regular basis. These courses are taught in either German or English.

Advice to Students New to the Department

Students who studied German in high school for one or more years who wish to continue with German at Dickinson must take the on-line German placement test. The department, upon having received the test score, will place each student in the appropriate German class and will let each student know by e-mail where he/she has been placed. In a few instances it may be necessary to make further adjustments in the placement of a particular student after classes have started in the fall. Such final adjustments will be made during the first four weeks of classes.

If you have taken the Advanced Placement Examination in German: A student who has achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test will be granted credit for college work (GERMN 116) and will receive placement in the appropriate German course. Such a student should tentatively register for GERMN 221. A student with a grade of 3 on the AP test will receive placement only and should also tentatively register for GERMN 221.

On-Line Placement Test The placement test for German is available online at http://orientation.dickinson.edu. Log into the forms section and you will find the link to the placement exam. Students with grades of 1 or 2 on the AP test need to take the on-line German test like all other students who wish to continue with German in order to be placed in the appropriate German course. After you have taken the test, you will be notified by email of your placement. Students who cannot take the test on line by July 15 will need to contact the department before Friday, August 26.

Transfer Credits: Transfer students who wish to get credit for German courses taken at other colleges or universities should see the chairperson. Transfer students who decide to major in German at Dickinson should take at least four of their eleven courses for the major at Dickinson. Minors must take at least two of the six courses at Dickinson.

To begin the study of German: Register for GERMN 101.

It is entirely possible to start a new language at Dickinson and still get enough courses in that language to develop a major (and spend the junior year abroad). The first three semesters of the language (101, 104, 116) however, do not count toward the courses required for a German major.

Courses Beyond the Language Requirement for Prospective Majors 

Beyond GERMN 116 there are several "first" courses a student can opt for. These include:

GERMN 221/222 German Conversation and Composition/Contemporary issues

GERMN 232 Introduction to German Literature

GERMN 240, 241 German Cultural History I, II

Students can also go directly from GERMN 116 into some special topics courses (250-252). Whenever these courses are taught in English, students can simultaneously enroll in them and any other German courses.

Other Courses

Non-majors are welcome to take any departmental offerings as long as they have the necessary prerequisites. The department usually offers one special topics course each semester that is taught in English for students who have an interest in German culture or literature, but have no knowledge of the German language. Note: Period courses, 341-346: The numbers of these courses indicate the chronology of these periods, and not the difficulty of the courses; 341, therefore, is a course dealing with the earliest pieces of German literature, whereas 346 is a course in Contemporary German literature. German 400 is a seminar course designed for seniors only.

Courses that fulfill Distribution Requirements

Language Requirement: Completion at the intermediate level, GERMN 116, or above.

Division I.b - literature: - one course offered by the department in German or in English translation offered at the 200- or 300- level. Occasionally special topics courses taught in English translation will fulfill the requirement of a Writing Intensive Course.

Division II - social sciences: German 340 Comparative Cultures: USA - Germany.

Co-Curricular Activities 

Each year two German language assistants from the University of Bremen are actively involved with all aspects of the German program at Dickinson. The German Club sponsors several events every year together with the German department. German films are shown regularly throughout the academic year, and a German Language Table is held weekly for students who wish to speak – or merely listen – to German while they eat. German writers, scholars, filmmakers, and actors also visit the campus every year. Occasionally the German Department hosts conferences in its Max Kade Center for German Cultural Studies.

Course descriptions, requirements for the major Go to www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/german.html

Teacher Certification

Make an appointment with the Director of Teacher Education, Prof. Landauer, or contact the Education Department at: millerb@dickinson.edu.

Independent Study

Independent study projects are an option open to self-motivated students with a desire to pursue a study topic not treated in the department's regular class offerings. All of the professors in the department are willing to direct independent study projects, but the interested student should not ask that a professor initiate her or his study project. Instead, the topic suggested by the student should have been well thought out and should reflect a deep personal interest on the part of the student. Most projects are taken for either half or full course credit. Usually, each independent study student will have a weekly meeting with her or his advisor.

Occasionally, students may elect an independent study project in the German language. This option is open only when it is clear that the student's needs cannot be met in the traditional language courses. Possibilities for independent language work include: advanced oral and written language practice; advanced translation practice.

Opportunities for Off-Campus Study
Summer Immersion Program All students who successfully complete the language requirement in German 116 or its equivalent are eligible to apply for participation in the Bremen Practicum, an intensive five-week program in contemporary German language and culture held at the University of Bremen in West Germany. Students will earn one course credit for the successful completion of the program. Whether the German Department will be able to offer this course depends on the enrollment.

Junior Year Students majoring or minoring in German are encouraged to spend one or two semesters abroad during the junior year. For qualified students, the Junior Year in Bremen is a Dickinson-affiliated program with a wide range of course and program options, including laboratory courses in the sciences. Dickinson also accepts transfer credit from approved programs throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland approved by the Global Education Department.

Careers

Recent German majors have pursued a wide variety of careers. Some have gone on to such graduate schools as Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Virginia. Others have entered law or medical schools. Still others have become teachers, business executives, research scientists, librarians, etc.

Many students interested in German have become double majors since a German major in combination with another field (e.g. biology, physics, economics, another language, political science, etc.) may enhance career opportunities. Recently, several of our students have successfully secured positions with American subsidiaries of German companies.

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Updated July 21, 2005