German

Undergraduate Programs

Description

The undergraduate German degree programs serve students who are seeking high proficiency in German language and cultural studies. Programs courses focus on real-world communication skills, and our instructors promote a student-centered, immersion- based learning environment that encourages the open exchange of ideas, instills awareness of cultural differences, and encourages a deeper understanding of events, institutions, and traditions. Students are asked to reflect on the nature and value of literary, cinematic, and artistic works as part of a larger inquiry into the making of cultures. Coursework fosters self-awareness and respect for others through reading and discussion, and offers opportunities for interaction with a wide variety of people, products, and perspectives from German-speaking countries, and numerous other regions in which German is an official or commonly spoken language. 

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
German BA BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • Mankato
 120
German BS BS - Bachelor of Science
  • Mankato
 120

Minors

 Program Locations Total Credits
German Minor 24

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum university admission requirements are:

  • a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
  • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (“C”). 

A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all German courses. Contact the department for application procedures.

GPA Policy. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned for major or minor credit.

P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a major or minor must be done for a letter grade above the second-year level. A grade of “P” must be earned for major or minor credit in all work done on a P/N basis.

Proficiency Policies. Students with high school language experience may take the CLEP test for a maximum of 12 credits. Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to evaluate their proficiency. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. The department reserves the right to deny admission to courses for those students whom a faculty member determines to have mastered the material already. 

Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French, German, Spanish, Swedish or Norwegian may do so by taking a language competency exam under the rules for credit by exam (see above section). Students do not meet the BA language requirements merely because they have taken two years of high school language.

Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of World Languages & Cultures for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State Mankato as follows. Major: a minimum of eight credits upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study. At least one of these courses must be at the 400 level. Minor: a minimum of one upper division course other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least four credits. 

Courses not required for a student’s specific baccalaureate degree should be chosen according to these general guidelines: 

BA: Emphasis on literature in upper-division courses; students will most likely pursue their education beyond the baccalaureate level.

BS: Emphasis on the ability to communicate in the language; presupposes knowledge of culture and civilization; students frequently have career goals in other disciplines for which a language is either required or recommended.

BS German Education: Emphasis on communication (four skills plus culture and language analysis). 

Contact Information

227 Armstrong Hall 

Department (507) 389-2116
Director (507) 389-5531
https://www.mnsu.edu/languages/german/

Faculty

Program Director
  • Nadja Kramer, Ph.D.
TA Coordinator
  • Gregory Taylor, Ph.D.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 4

Introduction to German for students with little or no language experience.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Prereq: GER 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

200 Level

Credits: 4

A review of German structure and its application to reading, conversation, and composition. Prereq: GER 102 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 102 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Prereq: GER 201 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 201 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 1-4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

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Prerequisites: as appropriate for level of project 

300 Level

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The course is designed to help advanced Spanish students identify similarities and differences between Spanish and Portuguese and begin developing Portuguese productive language skills and cultural competency through comparative practice.

Prerequisites: SPAN 201W. Completion of one 300 level Spanish course or equivalent intermediate-midproficiency level of Spanish for admission to the course. See department for language proficiency evaluation information or instructor permission.

Credits: 1-4

Topics will vary and course may be repeated for credit. Language topics include pronunciation and intonation, advanced grammar, etc. The focus is on advanced oral or written communication. Prereq: Two years of university level German or equivalent.

Prerequisites: Two years of university level German or equivalent. 

Credits: 4

Intensive practice in speaking and writing for students who have completed the intermediate sequence or equivalent. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: completion of GER 202 or equivalent. 

Credits: 1-4

Discussion and analysis of major themes and movements based on selected readings from representative authors from the German-speaking world. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Major cultural and historical aspects of German from ancient times to the present. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Intermediate Sequence

Prerequisites: Intermediate Sequence 

Credits: 0

Curricular practical training for World Languages and Cultures is a full-time practical experience in a professional setting in which more than one language is used. The experience is designed to allow students to improve overall communicative proficiency in languages and address business practices associated with the students academic field of expertise. The Co-Op experience covers a minimum of two consecutive academic terms and requires that students register for a minimum of two consecutive academic terms following the experience.

Prerequisites: none

400 Level

Credits: 4

Intensive practice in speaking and writing German. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level course in German.

Prerequisites: Completion of at least one 300 level course in German. 

Credits: 1-4

Topics vary and course may be repeated if a different topic/genre is the focus. Major writers from German speaking countries. Genres include novel, poetry, theatre, short story, etc. Prereq: completion of readings 302 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of readings GER 302 or equivalent

Credits: 1-4

The course deals with the complex cultural traditions and political histories of German-speaking countries in Central Europe, such as the metropolis Berlin, the Holocaust, minority voices. Topics vary and the course may be repeated if a different topic is the focus. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Topics may vary. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion and analysis of German phonetics and syntax and historical linguistics, for example. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level German course.

Prerequisites: Completion of a least one 300 level German course. 

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching, including lessons in listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and culture. Includes testing, program design, lesson planning, and use of technology. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. Fall

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 4

The course explores 20th and 21st century German film in historical, social, cultural contexts and events. Topics may be a survey, or concentration on Weimar Cinema, New German Cinema, East German Cinema, transnational cinema. Topics vary. Course may be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the secondary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with middle or high school students of French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 460.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching for children grades K-6, including oral language development, second language literacy development, content-based language instruction, and techniques for language immersion programs. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation.

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the elementary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with elementary school students in French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 462.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Topics in modern language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

An individual project by German majors or minors that demonstrates the ability to focus on a specific topic or question in-depth in the field of German culture and literature studies. Approval required by a designated advisor in the German program.

Prerequisites: GER 340, GER 341, GER 342, GER 343, GER 441. Student has to be admitted as a German major or minor and of senior standing.

Credits: 1-6

Study for credit must be arranged by contract prior to departure. Prereq: Experience appropriate for level of credit.

Prerequisites: Experience appropriate for level of credit 

Credits: 1-6

Prereq: Experience appropriate to project.

Prerequisites: Experience appropriate to project 

Credits: 1-4

Prereq: As appropriate for level of project.

Prerequisites: As appropriate for level of project 

Credits: 1-4

Special topics in language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none