German
Wabash College understands that language is the foremost avenue for understanding and interacting with the world, its peoples, and its histories. Consequently, the study of world languages is fundamental to a liberal arts education and a well-lived life beyond. Serious intellectual work in other languages broadens a Wabash man’s communicative potential; deepens his understanding of his native tongue; refines his expressive abilities; inculcates in him analytical and creative habits of mind; helps him see beyond his own place, time, and circumstance; and is foundational for his further study and appreciation of the literatures, histories, and aesthetic sensibilities of global cultures throughout time.
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Wabash College prepares students for citizenship in a multicultural, multilingual global community. The Department promotes facility in languages, expands knowledge of cultures and literatures, and enables students to actively engage in cultural and linguistic exchanges. Our faculty work with students to provide a greater understanding of world affairs in an historical context, an enhanced knowledge of the traditions, achievements, and lifestyles of the international community, and an appreciation of differences and similarities among peoples and nations.
The Wabash College world language requirement sets students on their path to these goals while recognizing that some students bring to campus facility in a second language.
World Language Requirement
The Wabash curriculum requires that all students demonstrate facility in a world language. Students who fulfill this requirement in German usually do one of the following:
- Earn passing grades for the two-course elementary sequence: GER-101 Elementary German I and GER-102 Elementary German II
- Earn a passing grade for any single course beyond 102 (e.g., GER-201 Intermediate German).
- Demonstrate facility in a second language by being admitted to Wabash as an International Student whose native language is one other than English.
Students may also fulfill this requirement by passing a world language exam with written and oral components. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact the department chair prior to mid-semester break in the fall of their freshman year.
Less Commonly Taught Languages
Students who wish to demonstrate facility in a language not offered at Wabash will be responsible for demonstrating their ability by exam. The department will assist the student in finding an institution to administer an exam, but the associated costs and arrangements will be the responsibility of the student.
Placement
Students who wish to continue at Wabash with a language studied in high school must enroll at the level determined by the departmental placement policy. Students who have taken at least two years of a language in high school will begin at the 201 level or higher. Placement beyond the 201 level is determined by the Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam and reference to high school transcripts. Any student may begin at the 101 level in a language that is new to him. For example, a student who is placed in SPA-301 Conversation & Composition can choose to enroll in GER-101 Elementary German I and complete the requirement with the elementary sequence.
Background Credit
A student who starts with the third semester course or higher (201 or 301 level) of a language and completes that course with a B-or better also receives one elective credit for the course immediately preceding the one he has taken. Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.
A student need not earn a grade of B- or higher to fulfill the world language requirement. A passing grade in the appropriate courses will satisfy the requirement.
Comprehensive Examinations
Majors in a modern language must successfully complete a two-day written comprehensive examination. In keeping with the goals of the department, the student must demonstrate his ability in the language in which he is majoring, as well as his knowledge of its culture and his critical appreciation of its literature.
Study Abroad
Modern language students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Students in modern languages and literatures should meet with a member of the department as early as possible to develop an appropriate plan for study abroad.
Student Learning Goals
Language Proficiency: to enable students to negotiate meaning in a language other than their own.
Cultural Proficiency: to understand and appreciate the experiences, values, perceptions, and behaviors of people from diverse cultural communities, and to become self-aware in the presence of other cultures.
Contextualization within Cultural and Intellectual History: to understand the historical development of culture
Literary Interpretation: to interpret and analyze works of literature in the target language
Diachronic and synchronic comparisons and connections
Academic Skills: to develop skills in writing, analysis, research, and critical thinking.
Requirements for a Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GER-302 | Intro to Literature | 1 |
| GER-401 | Senior Seminar in German | 1 |
| German Electives | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Requirements for a Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Five course credits in German 1 | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 5 | |
- 1
Minor concentrators are encouraged to take courses beyond GER-302 Intro to Literature.
Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.
GER-101 Elementary German I
The student with little or no previous training
in German will become grounded in the language
and gain some understanding of the culture of the
German-speaking world. Successful completion of
the course means that one will be able to
understand and respond in common conversational
situations, read straightforward prose, and write
simple but correct German. This course is offered
in the fall semester. Successful completion of
both GER-101 and GER-102 satisfies the World
Languages distribution requirement.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: GER-101L
Credit: 1
GER-102 Elementary German II
The student with little or no previous training
in German will continue building in the language
and gain more understanding of the culture of the
German-speaking world. Successful completion of
the course means that one will be able to
understand and respond in common conversational
situations, read straightforward prose, and write
simple but correct German. This course is offered
in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: GER-101, or GER-102 placement
Corequisites: GER-101, or GER-102 placement, GER-102L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language
GER-177 Special Topics
Conducted in German.Topics vary with each
scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's
section information for descriptions of individual
offerings, and applicability to distribution
requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-187 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-188 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-201 Intermediate German
A thorough review of the fundamentals of the
language. Concentration will be on continued
growth in the active use of the language:
speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Students will read German texts which will
reinforce the study of the language and the
observation of the culture. Particular attention
will be given to improving self-expression in
German beyond the rudimentary level. This course
is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: GER-102, or GER-201 placement
Corequisites: GER-201L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language
GER-202 German Language & Culture
This course focuses on the active use of German.
Its goals are to develop the student's command of
German through guided practice in the use of the
language and to increase his understanding of
German culture as reflected in the German
language and life in the German-speaking world.
This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: GER-201, or GER-202 placement
Corequisites: GER-202L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language
GER-277 Special Topics
Conducted in German. Topics vary with each
scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's
section information for descriptions of individual
offerings, and applicability to distribution
requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GER-287 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-288 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-301 Conversation & Composition
This course focuses on the continued development
of the student's command of the German language
and his understanding of the culture of the
German-speaking world, with an emphasis on
speaking and writing. This course is offered in
the fall semester.
Prerequisites: GER-202, or GER-301 placement
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language
GER-302 Intro to Literature
This first course in the study of literature
examines the workings of literature: style, form,
structure, genre, symbolism, allusion, and
metaphor. It is an introduction to the lexicon of
literary criticism and the principles of literary
theory for majors. This course is offered in the
spring semester.
Prerequisites: GER-301
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GER-312 Studies in German Culture
Studies in German Culture offers advanced study
of a variety of elements of culture broadly
conceived. Topics will vary and may include, but
are not limited to, film, popular culture and
arts. As they consider the connections among
different disciplines and cultural contexts,
students will develop the analytical tools and
language specific to the interpretation of
cultural moments and demonstrate those skills in
interpretative essays and class discussion. May
be retaken for credit if topic is different from
previously taken course. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: GER-301 and GER-302
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GER-313 Studies in German Literature
Studies in German Literature offers advanced
study of German literary genres, periods, and
authors. Topics may vary. Students read and
analyze texts to better understand the dialog
between literature and historical, political, and
social realities, as well as the connections
between German and other literary traditions.
Students will develop the analytical tools and
language specific to the interpretation of a
particular genre and demonstrate those skills in
interpretative essays and class discussion. May
be retaken for credit if topic is different from
previously taken course. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: GER-301 and GER-302
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GER-314 Studies in German Literature
This course surveys the development of German
literature and culture in its historical context
and provides students with an overview of
important trends in intellectual history. The
span of time covered will vary by semester, but
in each case, students will survey major periods
and movements through the critical examination of
representative literary works and cultural
documents. May be retaken for credit if topic is
different from previously taken course. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: GER-301 and GER-302
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GER-376 Special Topics: German Lang
Conducted in German. Topics vary with each
scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's
section information for descriptions of individual
offerings, and applicability to distribution
requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-377 Special Topics: German Lit & Culture
Conducted in German. Topics vary with each
scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's
section information for descriptions of individual
offerings, and applicability to distribution
requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-387 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-388 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-401 Senior Seminar in German
Special written and oral work for seniors
returning from study in a German-speaking country
and for those seniors with a comparable level of
preparation. Vocabulary-building and refinement
of oral and written expression. This course
assumes a background in literary analysis and
interpretation, as well as a good command of
spoken and written German. Required for majors.
This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GER-477 Special Topics: German Lit & Culture
Conducted in German. Topics vary with each
scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's
section information for descriptions of individual
offerings, and applicability to distribution
requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GER-478 Special Topics
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to
Student Planning's section information for
descriptions of individual offerings, and
applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: GER-302
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-487 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GER-488 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1