German

Department of Linguistics
College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030
(716) 645-2177
Fax: (716) 645-3825
Web: Linguistics
Robert D. Van Valin, Chair
David Fertig, Director of Pre-Major Language Program
E-mail: fertig@acsu.buffalo.edu
Robert Hoeing, Director of Undergraduate Studies
E-mail: rghoeing@acsu.buffalo.edu

The German program, now part of the Department of Linguistics, offers a focused yet varied curriculum designed to provide students with the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge necessary for a B.A. degree. The following course catalog is subject to change.

Introduction
The German language is spoken by 120 million people mainly living in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. German is a major international language of commerce, diplomacy, and scholarly investigation in many fields.

Germany today is the economic cornerstone of the European Union and as such is not only an important trading partner of the United States, it is also one of our most important political allies in Europe. After the German reunification, the peoples of Eastern Europe chose German as their second language. They clearly recognize Germany as an important economic and political power of the present and future. Any future development and job opportunities in this important arena will involve German culture and language.

The Program
The German Studies program at UB offers many options of study beyond elementary and intermediate language instruction, ranging from traditional concentrations in literature or linguistics to more current studies in German culture and business German. Many students combine a major in German studies with another major, thus improving their chances for career opportunities in an increasingly international marketplace.

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section or contact the Study Abroad Programs Office at (716) 645-3912.

Students seeking teacher certification should plan for their programs with particular care in order to accommodate the required semester of the professional sequence during their senior year. For information about certification, contact the Teacher Education Institute, Graduate School of Education, 379 Baldy Hall.

Career Opportunities
German majors are finding increasing employment opportunities in business (companies with German-American connections); interpretation (U.N., travel agencies, tourism bureaus, broadcasting); government (FBI or other international government agencies); and translation (of scientific works, literature, government documents).

German (GER)

Note: Since not all courses listed below are offered every semester, students should obtain a current listing of course descriptions from the departmental office before registration each semester.

101-102 Elementary German 1st Semester, 2nd Semester (5-5)
GER101 prerequisite: none
GER102 prerequisite: GER101
Develops listening, speaking, reading, writing skills in a communicative context; for beginners. LEC

104 Transitional Elementary German (4)
Review course for students with the Regents' diploma or with prior elementary-level instruction. LEC

111-112 Reading German for Beginners I-II (3-3)
Concentrates on the development of "decoding" German texts from several disciplines (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences); basic grammar instruction and extensive vocabulary memorization, but no practice in speaking or listening. LEC

151-152 Intermediate German I-II (3-3)
GER151 prerequisite: GER102 or GER104, or equivalent
Further practice in the language with increased attention to conversational and written skills; designed to help students attain intermediate-level proficiency. LEC

271-272 German for Business (3-3)
Prerequisite: intermediate proficiency
Intensive practice in learning specialized vocabulary and concepts of German business, along with reading business texts and developing conversational skills in business situations. LEC

301-302 Survey of German Cultural History I-II (3-3)
GER301 prerequisites: intermediate proficiency
Explores major cultural and intellectual movements in German thought, society, literature, and the arts in the context of German history. The first semester covers the period from earliest Germanic times to 1750, the second from 1750 to the present. Classes normally conducted in German. LEC

337 Advanced Conversation and Composition (3)
Prerequisite: intermediate proficiency
Enhances the speaking and writing skills of students who have attained intermediate-level proficiency. Activities include intensive small-group discussions on topics of current interest, and frequent writing exercises to refine compositional skills. Instruction exclusively in German. LEC

338 Stylistics and Translation (3)
Analysis of and practice in various styles of expression in German, as well as the study of idiomatic usages in the language. Instruction exclusively in German. LEC

408 The Structure of Modern German Grammar (3)
Linguistic analysis of the phonetic, phonological, morphological, and syntactic structure of German. The course includes a survey of the more important theories of German syntax, and preliminary investigation into semantics if time allows. LEC

410 Topics (3)
Intensive research on a selected topic in German studies. SEM

414 History of the English Language (3)
Introduces the linguistic and cultural development of the English language from its beginnings to the present. LEC

415 History of the German Language (3)
Introduces the linguistic and cultural development of the German language from its beginnings to the present. Instruction usually in German. LEC

420 Grimm's Fairy Tales (3)
An in-depth study of traditional Märchen and Sagen, Kunst-Märchen, as well as a survey of Germanic mythologies and legends. Instruction usually in German. LEC

449-450 Topics (3-3)
Selected topic in German linguistics, literature, or cultural history. LEC

452 The German Novelle (3)
Study of the masterworks of the novelle genre in German literature from the romantic period to the early twentieth century. Readings and discussion in German. LEC

499 Independent Study (V)
Independent and intensive research on a selected topic in German studies. TUT

German - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prequisite courses or their equivalent: GER101-102 Elementary German 1st-2nd semester or GER104 Transitional Elementary German and GER151-152 Intermediate German I-II

Advising Notes
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in required courses necessary
Students may substitute three or four courses taken in other departments that are relevant to Germanic studies with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies in German.
Up to five 300/400-level courses (15 credit hours) may be taken through the study abroad program.
300-level courses require intermediate-level proficiency

Required Courses
Ten 300/400-level GER courses, including elementary or intermediate German language courses, as necessary*

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-Elementary or intermediate German*
Spring-Elementary or intermediate German*

Second Year
Fall-Elementary or intermediate German*, one or two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-Elementary or intermediate German*, one or two 300/400-level GER courses (on completion of GER152)

Third Year
Fall-Two or three 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-Two or three 300/400-level GER courses

Fourth Year
Fall-Two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-Two 300/400-level GER courses

*Appropriate level is based upon placement and/or previous experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Professor Robert G. Hoeing, (716) 645-2177, e-mail: rghoeing@acsu.buffalo.edu

Total required credit hours in German - 30

German - Minor

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents: GER101-102 Elementary German 1st-2nd Semester or GER104 Transitional Elementary German and GER151-152 Intermediate German I-II

Required Courses
Six 300/400-level GER courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are required (substitutions subject to approval by the director of undergraduate studies in German
300-level courses require intermediate proficiency

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-Elementary or intermediate German*
Spring-Elementary or intermediate German* or 300-level GER course

Second Year
Fall-Elementary or intermediate German*, one or two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-Elementary or intermediate German*, one or two 300/400-level GER courses

Third Year
Fall-One or two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-One or two 300/400-level GER courses

Fourth Year
Fall-One or two 300/400-level GER courses
Spring-One or two 300/400-level GER courses

Total required credit hours in German - 18

*Appropriate level is based upon placement and/or previous experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Professor Robert G. Hoeing, (716) 645-2177, email: rghoeing@acsu.buffalo.edu

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:18 EST