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Selected Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Fall Semester 2005

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW GERMAN MAJOR AS OF FALL 2005

Note: Students currently registered as declared majors will have the option of continuing the old major or switching to the new, more flexible requirements. The course German 676 will be the only senior seminar offered as of fall 2005. It will serve as the capstone seminar for all majors.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

(For Graduate Course Descriptions click here)


101: First Semester German, 4cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1, MTWRF 9:55
Lecturer, Lec 2, MTWRF 11:00
Lecturer, Lec 3, MTWRF 12:05
Lecturer, Lec 4, MTWRF 1:20
Lecturer, Lec 5, MTWRF 2:25
Lecturer, Lec 6, MWR 7:00-8:20pm
Lecturer, Lec 7, MTWRF 9:55
Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen.
Presumes no knowledge of the German language. In the course students learn basic vocabulary around topics such as classroom objects, daily routines, descriptions of people and objects, simple narration in present time, etc. Currently German 101 covers material presented in the textbook VORSPRUNG from Kapitel 1 to Kapitel 6.
Textbooks:
Vorsprung - An Introduction to the German Language and Culture for Communication. UPDATED EDITION! New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.
Arbeitsbuch to Accompany Vorsprung - An Introduction to the German Language and Culture for Communication. Lovik, Thomas A., J. Douglas Guy & Monika Chavez., Updated Edition. New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. ISBN 0-618-14251-7.

102: Second Semester German, 4cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1 MTWRF 9:55
Lecturer, Lec 2 MTWRF 11:00
Lecturer, Lec 3 MTWRF 12:05
Lecturer, Lec 4 MTWRF 1:20
Prerequisites: German 101 or appropriate score on placement exam.
German 102 continues the learning begun in German 101. Students learn to narrate using past time markers, to express wishes and conditional ideas, to expand on their ability to describe, and to understand and produce extended texts on everyday topics. Currently German 102 covers material presented in the textbook VORSPRUNG from Kapitel 7 to Kapitel 12.
Textbooks:
Vorsprung - An Introduction to the German Language and Culture for Communication. UPDATED EDITION! New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.
Arbeitsbuch to Accompany Vorsprung - An Introduction to the German Language and Culture for Communication. Lovik, Thomas A., J. Douglas Guy & Monika Chavez., Updated Edition. New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. ISBN 0-618-14251-7

111: First Semester Dutch, 4 cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1, MTWR 1:20
Lecturer, Lec 2, MWR 6:40-7:50pm
Prerequisites:Open to freshmen.
One of the advantages of studying at the UW is being able to take courses in Dutch. Although the study of Dutch Linguistics and Literature has steadily expanded at major American universities in recent years, many universities do not offer this language. Since Dutch is a Germanic language--linguistically related to both German and English--and since Dutch culture and literature have always had close ties to both German- and English speaking cultures, Dutch is a logical choice as an additional language for American students of German language, literature and culture. See our website at http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/german/dutch/duits.html.

203: Third Semester German, 4 cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1, MTWR 8:50
Lecturer, Lec 2, MTWR 9:55
Lecturer, Lec 3, MTWR 11:00
Lecturer, Lec 4, MTWR 12:05
Lecturer, Lec 5, MTWR 1:20
Lecturer, Lec 7, MW 7-8:40pm
Prerequisites: German 102 or 172 or appropriate score on placement exam.
Textbooks:
Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph & Mabee: Kaleidoskop, new edition textbook. Houghton Mifflin, 6th edition, ISBN 0618142495.
Recommended:
Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph & Mabee: Kaleidoskop, new edition workbook. Houghton Mifflin, 6th edition ISBN 0618142517.

204:Fourth Semester German, 4 cr.
Lecturer, Lec 2, MTWR 9:55
Lecturer, Lec 3, MTWR 11:00
Lecturer, Lec 4, MTWR 12:05
Lecturer, Lec 5, MTWR 1:20
Lecturer, Lec 6, MTWR 2:25
Prerequisites: German 203 or appropriate score on placement exam.
Textbooks:
Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph & Mabee: Kaleidoskop, new edition textbook. Houghton Mifflin, 6th edition, ISBN 0618142495.
Recommended:
Moeller, Liedloff, Adolph & Mabee: Kaleidoskop, new edition workbook. Houghton Mifflin, 6th edition ISBN 0618142517.

213: Third Semerster Dutch, 4 cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1, MTWR 9:55
Prerequisites: Dutch 112 or consent of instructor.
See description for First Semester Dutch, 111.

221: Introduction to German Literature and Culture I, 3 cr.
Kluge, Lec 1, MWF 11:00
Markham, Lec 2, MWF 1:20
Prerequisites: German 204 or 225, or placement at 5th-semester level and consent of instructor.
This course offers an introduction to 20th-century German literature and culture. We will read and discuss a variety of literary and cultural texts, such as short stories, plays, poems, autobiographical writings, and essays. Along with the development of reading, speaking, and writing skills, the course also provides an introduction to the interpretation and analysis of literature and culture. The class is conducted in German. The final grade is based on class participation, oral and written performance, and exams.
Required Textbooks:
Kafka, Brecht, Böll. Erzählungen. ed. Charles W. Hoffmann et al. (Norton, 1970).  ISBN: 0-393-09937-7.
Friedrich Dürenmatt, Die Physiker. (Diogenes 23047). ISBN 3-257-23047-8.
The Cambridge Companion to Modern German Culture.  ed. Eva Kolinsky and Wilfried van der Will (Cambridge University Press, 1998; rpt. 2000). ISBN 0-521-56870-6.
Volker Braun, Unvollendete Geschichte. ed. Andy Hollis (Manchester University Press, 1991). ISBN 0-7190-2402-1.
Christoph Hein. Randow. Eine Komödie. (Suhrkamp, 2002). ISBN 3-518-41422-4.
Supplemental readings will be provided in class.

222: Introduction to German Literature and Culture II, 3 cr.
Calomino, Lec 1, MWF 9:55
Prerequisites: German 221 or consent of instructor. Open to freshmen.
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the study and interpretation of German literature and cultural topics. Readings will include representative works of nineteenth-century prose, lyric poetry, and drama by Tieck, Hoffmann, Eichendorff, Goethe, Stifter, Keller, Mörike, Fontane, and Hauptmann. Also to be included for discussion are essays on cultural topics (arts and politics) as well as letters and selections from historical writings. Regular attendance and participation are expected. Class discussion will be conducted in German. In addition to mid-semester and final examinations, several short interpretive papers are required.
Required Textbooks:
Ludwig Tieck, Der blonde Eckbert. (Reclam) #7732
E.T.A. Hoffmann, Der Sandmann. (Reclam) #230
Heinrich von Kleist, Die Marquise von O... (Reclam) #8002
Georg Büchner, Woyzeck (Reclam) #9347
Adalbert Stifter, Brigitta (Reclam) #3911
Eduard Mörike, Mozart auf der Reise nach Prag. #4741
Theodor Fontane, Irrungen, Wirrungen. (Reclam) #8971 [2]
Optional Textbooks:
H. Kinder/W. Hilgemann, ed. dtv-Atlas zur Weltgeschichte, Band 2. (DTV)

225: Composition and Conversation I, 3 cr.
Lecturer, Lec 1, MWF 8:50
Love, Lec 2, MWF 9:55
Lecturer, Lec 3, MWF 11:00
Love, Lec 4, MWF 12:05
Lecturer, Lec 5, MWF 1:20
Prerequisites: German 204 or appropriate score on placement exam.
The aim of German 225 is to develop the students' ability to speak and write in German on everyday culture and current events through readings in the German media, daily oral work (in-class discussions and presentations), formal essays, and other written assignments. A systematic grammar review is an integral part of the course. The final grade is based on class participation and daily homework, essays, grammar quizzes, and in-class exams. The course is taught in German.
Textbooks:
Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik. Ed. J. Rankin, L. Wells. Houghton Mifflin / Third Edition
Course packet from Bob’s Copy Shop.

226: Composition and Conversation II, 3 cr.
James, Lec 1, MWF 8:50
Silberman, Lec 2, MWF 2:25
Prerequisites: German 225.
This course, a requirement for all German majors, continues and strengthens the skills practiced in 225. In-class work will include student presentations, discussion of readings, informal conversation, and grammar and vocabulary exercises. Written work will include frequent grammar and vocabulary exercises and short essays. Course language is German.
Required Textbooks:
Turneaure, Brigitte M. Der treffende Ausdruck: Texte, Themen, Übungen. W. W. Norton. 2nd edition.
Recommended:
Rankin, Jamie and Larry Wells. Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik. Houghton Mifflin. 4th edition.
Harper Collins German Dictionary. Concise Edition. 2nd revised & updated paperback edition. HarperResource. ASIN 0062760580.
German Grammar. Spark Charts. ISBN 1586639137.

235:Dutch Conversation and Composition, 3 cr.
Taylor, Lec 1, MWF 9:55
The aim of "German" 235 is to develop the student's ability to speak and write in Dutch on everyday matters, current events, and academic topics through daily oral work (in-class discussions and presentations) and regular essays. A grammar review is an integral part of the course. In addition, this course not only continues and strengthens the skills
practiced in Fourth Semester Dutch, but aims to work on more advanced grammatical issues, and to fine-tune a student's vocabulary to include more formal registers, such as academic language, as well as the rich idioms and proverbs which make Dutch such an interesting language to learn. The final grade is based on the following 5 components: class participation, essays, quizzes, in-class exams, and the final exam. Course language is Dutch; excellent preparation for study or research abroad in the Netherlands or Flanders.

245: Topics in Dutch Life and Culture: Dutch Tolerance and Multiculturalism, 3 cr.
Taylor, Lec 1, MWF 12:05
Prerequisites: Open to freshmen.
All readings and lectures in English.
Common representations of the Netherlands seem contradictory. Some people picture row upon-straight-row of tulips in fields, windmills, almost perfectly parallel ditches—a well-planned society. Conversely, facts and misconceptions about such curiosities as Dutch drug policy, the sex industry, the practice of euthanasia, gay rights and
"multiculturalism"—often lumped together under the rubric of "tolerance"—oddly counterbalance the aforementioned tamer images. Do these different views represent two different strains, or two extremes, within Dutch culture? Are they related? Do these cultural practices find their source in a consistent approach? Recently, the international press has reported on the influx of “newer” Dutch citizens and the notorious murders of two public figures—Pim Fortuyn, and Theo van Gogh—and asks whether these are a sign of a major change in Dutch society. This course looks at the history and context of these events to attempt a nuanced understanding.
We will investigate the role and meaning of "tolerance" and the recent attempt at “multiculturalism” in Dutch culture by studying approaches to tolerance and community that have shaped current debates and practices. We will note the history of the area, influences of geography and climate, the importance of trade and international contacts, Dutch relations with the country's immigrants (including Jewish citizens and those from the Indies), the Dutch Revolt and founding of the Dutch nation, the Reformation, philosophers such as Erasmus, debates about the roles of the state and voluntary affiliations in the 19th century, social control and attitudes toward social and economic safety nets, the effect of immigration throughout history, and the rise and decline of that typically Dutch form of societal organization, "pillarization." We will ask: how well do recent immigrant groups fare in Dutch society, and has Dutch society changed
in response to their presence?
In our attempt to understand the role of the notion of "tolerance" (whether it be "verdraagzaamheid" or "gedoogpolitiek"), we will consider contributions to the ongoing debate selected from a range cultural expressions, including literary work, the fine arts, film, music, and architecture.
While focusing on an important contemporary topic, this course will help you develop a basic understanding of Dutch culture. It will help prepare you for study abroad in the Netherlands, and for further study in Dutch literature and culture. It will also provide a strong background for other humanities and social science coursework on topics related to the Netherlands and contemporary approaches to immigration and multiculturalism in Europe. German 245 is in English. If you have Dutch competence beyond the 4th-semester level (German 214 or above), take German 445.

274: Introduction to German Literature, 5 cr.
Mani, Lec 1, MWF 9:55
MW 11:00
Prerequisites: German 204 with an A, or placement at 5th-semester level and consent of instructor. Meets with German 284
This course provides an introduction to German literature from the late 18th century to the present.  Through an intensive and thorough discussion on a variety of literary and philosophical texts, the course offers a semester long discussion on the literary-ness of texts, genres, periods, and the contribution of literature to the emergence of German national identity and cosmopolitanism.  In this course we will be reading and discussing novels, short stories, poetry, drama, novellas, and philosophical essays.
All readings and class-work are in German.  A willingness to read and discuss in German are essential for this course.  In addition to a mid-term and a final exam, students will also have an opportunity to write short essays.  For those of you who register for the Honors credit, we will read and discuss additional materials, write longer essays, and develop research skills.
Course Requirements:
Class Participation (Preparation and Discussion on readings): 30%
One Presentation: 10 %
Short Essays (1-5 pages): 30%
Two Exams 30%
Required Textbooks:
Brecht, Bertolt.  Die Dreigroschen Oper.  Suhrkamp, 2005.  ISBN: 3518188488
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von.  Die Leiden des jungen Werthers. Reclam,
2002.  ISBN: 315000067X
Hauptmann, Gerhart.  Die Weber. Ullstein Taschenbücher, 1997.  ISBN:
354824047X
Hoffman, E.T.A.  Der Sandmann.  Reclam, 1998.  ISBN: 3150002303
Plenzdorf, Ulrich.  Die neuen Leiden des Jungen W.  Suhrkamp, 2004. 
ISBN: 3518368001

Literature in Translation 277: Topics in 20th Century German Literature: Minority Literature in Germany , 3 cr.
Moedersheim, Lec 1, W 10:00-12:30
Prerequisites: Not open to students who have taken or are taking German 302 or above. First Year Interest Group students only
In this course we will read literature by German authors of different ethnic backgrounds, including poems, plays, short stories, novels, autobiographies and essays by Afro-German, Turkish-German, Asian-German, and Jewish-German writers. We will discuss the current social and political conditions of multiculturalism in Germany, and learn about the legacy of antisemitism and racism in recent German history.
Readings and discussions in English.
Note: Students with sufficient proficiency in German will have the option to read some of the texts in the original and write one of their essays in German.
[Note: This course is part of the FIG cluster: Richard Davis: "Race, Racial Conditioning, and the Oneness of Humankind" (10 cr.) In this FIG, you will examine the concept of 'race' and how society has come to have racial divisions. You will explore the historical, biological, psychological, and cultural issues that have contributed to our ideas about race. The 'synthesizing course' in this FIG will focus especially on processes of racial conditioning as they play out in education, the media, and in campus relations. Through readings, writings, videos, discussions, and presentations by guest speakers, you will gain more comfort and sophistication in dealing with diversity.]

284: Honors Introduction to German Literature, 5 cr.
Mani, Lec 1, MWF 9:55
MW 11:00
Prerequisites: German 204 with an A, or placement at 5th-semester level and consent of instructor.
See description for German 274.

285: Honors Colloquium for German 284, 1 cr.
Mani, Lec 1, F 11:00
Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in German 284.
See description for German 274.

305:Literatur des 20. Jahrhunderts, 3 cr.
Adler, Lec 1, MW 2:30-3:45
Prerequisites: German 221 & 222; or 284; or consent of instructor.
In diesem Kurs werden wir uns eine Auswahl der deutschsprachigen Literatur des 20. Jahrhunderts ansehen. Das soll Spaß machen, und die Teilnehmer sollen etwas lernen. Wir werden Erzählungen, Romane, Dramen und Gedichte von wichtigen Autorinnen und Autoren lesen und diskutieren. Gleichzeitig werden wir einige Techniken zum sinnvollen Lesen von Literatur lernen und vertiefen. Unter “unseren” Autorinnen und Autoren sind Franz Kafka, Bert Brecht, Wolfgang Borchert, Ingeborg Bachmann, Alissa Walser, Thomas Brussig (mit Film!) und ein paar andere mehr. Jede Teilnehmerin und jeder Teilnehmer wird einen kurzen mündlichen Vortrag halten und ein paar kurze Papers zu eng begrenzten Themen schreiben. Am Ende des Semester schreiben wir ein final exam. Der Kurs wird in deutscher Sprache gehalten.
Required Textbooks:
Brecht, Bertolt, Kalendergeschichten. Reinbek: Rowohlt ISBN 3-499-10077-0
Borchert, Wolfgang, Draussen vor der Tür. Reinbek: Rowohlt ISBN 3-499-10170-X
Kafka, Franz, Das Urteil. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer ISBN 3-596-20019-9
Brussig, Thomas, Am kürzeren Ende der Sonnenallee. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer
ISBN 3-596-14847-2
Walser, Alissa, Das ist nicht meine ganze Geschichte. Reinbek: Rowohlt
ISBN 3 499 13747 X

335: Dutch Conversation and Composition, 3 cr.
Taylor, Lec 1, MWF 9:55
Prerequisites: German 314 or consent of instructor.
The aim of “German” 335 is to develop the student's ability to speak and write in Dutch on everyday matters, current events, and academic topics through daily oral work (in-class discussions and presentations) and regular essays. A grammar review is an integral part of the course. In addition, this course not only continues and strengthens the skills practiced in Fourth Semester Dutch, but aims to work on more advanced
grammatical issues, and to fine-tune a student’s vocabulary to include more formal registers, such as academic language, as well as the rich idioms and proverbs which make Dutch such an interesting language to learn. The final grade is based on the following 5 components: class participation, essays, quizzes, in-class exams, and the final exam. Course language is Dutch; excellent preparation for study or research
abroad in the Netherlands or Flanders.

337: Advanced Composition and Conversation, 3 cr.
Gross, Lec 1, MWF 1:20
Prerequisites: German 226 and one of 222, 274 or 284 or consent of instructor.
Verschiedene sprachliche Übungen und Aktivitäten für Fortgeschrittene, sowohl schriftlich als auch mündlich. Vokabularerweiterung, selektiv Grammatikwiederholung; aber vor allem werden wir mit unterschiedlichen Stilmöglichkeiten des Deutschen experimentieren und nicht zuletzt auch mit Sprache spielen. Sie werden eine Reihe verschiedener Textformen lesen und selber schreiben – beispielsweise Interviews, Steckbriefe, Märchen, Berufs- und Heiratsanzeigen. Aktive mündliche Mitarbeit ist unbedingt erforderlich; außerdem ist Gruppenarbeit eine wichtige Komponente des Kurses (auch beim Verbessern Ihrer schriftlichen Arbeiten).
Zusaetzlich zu einem Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch werden wir den folgenden Band benutzen:
Ramond Queneau: Stilübungen. Suhrkamp, ISBN 3 518 22053 5.
Alle drei Baende gibt es beim University Book Store.
Außerdem brauchen Sie die Grammatik von Wells (oder eine andere deutsche Grammatik)

351:Introduction to German Linguistics, 3 cr.
Louden, Lec 1, TR, 9:30-10:45
Prerequisites: German 226 or Consent of Instructor.
This course is designed to provide a thorough overview of the German language from the perspective of modern linguistics. We will consider how different forms of spoken and written German are put together as a linguistic system, as well as how speakers actually use the language. After a brief look at the history of German, we will spend about half the semester analyzing the internal structure of German, starting at the level of individual sounds, and then considering how German words are formed and arranged in sentences. Beyond the sentence level, we will move on to questions of "meaning" (semantics and pragmatics). Finally, we will analyze how German varies according to region, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation. The primary texts will be Werner König's dtv-Atlas Deutsche Sprache, as well as a copy pack of handouts and other readings. There will be weekly problem sets assigned, as well as a number of Web-based activities. The class will be taught in German.
Required Textbooks:
Werner König's dtv-Atlas Deutsche Sprache, ISBN 3423030259

445: Topics in Dutch Culture: Tolerantie, Multiculturalisme, 3-4 cr.
Taylor, Lec 1, MWF, 12:05
Taylor, Dis 301, R, 12:05
Prerequisites: German 214 or 314, or consent of instructor.
See description for German 245.
German 445 meets with German 245 for three hours a week, and for an hour of Dutch-language discussion each week.

611: Survey of German Literature to 1700, 3 cr.
Moedersheim, Lec 1, TR, 11:00-12:15
Prerequisites: Senior Student or consent of instructor.
Dieser Kurs gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Entwicklungen in der frühen deutschen Literatur von den ersten schriftlichen Dokumenten bis zum Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts. Wir interpretieren Texte der verschiedenen Gattungen aus allen Epochen dieses Zeitraums. Ein Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf dem Einfluß der mündlichen Tradition und der Bedeutung der Volkssprache im Vergleich zum Gebrauch des Lateinischen, sowie auf den Medien der Verbreitung literarischer Texte vom mündlichen Vortrag über das Manuskript bis zum gedruckten Buch. Texte und Diskussionen auf Deutsch.
Course webpage: http://palimpsest.lss.wisc.edu/~moeders/gr611/
Required Textbooks:
1000 Jahre deutsche Literatur Von den Anfängen bis zur Aufklärung. Ed. Gudrun Clay (1-58510-040-4) Pullins, 2002
Hartmann von Aue: Erec (Fischer Taschenbuch 6017)
H.J.C. von Grimmelshausen: Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus.  (reclam 7452)

650: History of the German Language, 3 cr.
Salmons, Lec 1, MWF, 9:55
Prerequisites: Senior Student or consent of instructor.
This course introduces you to the field of German historical linguistics. We’ll examine the origins and development of the German language, looking at how sounds, word forms, and sentence structures have evolved in changing cultural and social settings. We’ll also discuss the development of standard German and its relationship to non-standard or regional varieties. Along the way, you’ll be introduced to basic research methodologies.
Requirements: participation, homework and exercises, midterm, final (mostly takehome), short writing assignments.
Required Textbooks:
Stedje, Astrid. 1989. Deutsche Sprache gestern und heute. Munich: Wilhelm Fink.
Campbell, Lyle. 2004. Historical Linguistics. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

676: Das Amerikabild von Goethe bis zur Gegenwart, 3 cr.
Kluge, Sem 1, T 3:30-5:20
Prerequisites: German 337 and two additional advanced German courses or consent of instructor.
American students of German culture and literature are aware of developments in their own country’s view of Germany. The goal of this course is to investigate the other side of the coin: the view of America held in Germany over the last approximately 225 years. Many factors have played a role, including, but not limited to, literary texts, political and economic developments in both countries, and the presence of occupation forces. Early emigrants sent back accounts; and further information has been provided by visitors, films, journalists, historians, exchange students, and so on. A theoretical component to the course will deal with how national images and representations of national identities evolve. Course requirements are active participation (critical engagement with texts and discussion), small reports and a larger presentation, a mid-term paper, and a final paper. Texts will be available as a course packet. The language of the course is German. 

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