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Department of

Languages and Literatures

German Courses

Please read the placement policy of this department before enrolling in your first German class at USD or elsewhere.

GERM 101 First Semester German GERM 301 Advanced Composition
GERM 102 Second Semester German GERM 302 Readings in German Literature
GERM 201 Third Semester German GERM 303 Cultural Backgrounds of German Civilization
GERM 201 Third semester German in Europe GERM 304 Commercial Correspondence and Advanced Business German
GERM 202 Fourth Semester German GERM 312 German Literature from 1900 to the Present
GERM 230 Intermediate Conversation GERM 394 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture
GERM 293 Language Tutoring and Field Experience in German GERM 493 Language Tutoring and Field Experience in German
GERM 294 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture GERM 494 Topics in German Literature
  GERM 499 Independent Study

Lower-Division Courses

A passing grade in German 201 satisfies the core curriculum requirement.

101 First Semester German / 3 units

Introductory course to German life, language, and essentials of basic grammar with stress upon pronunciation, reading, and oral comprehension. This course is open only to those who have never studied German, or who have not studied it in a considerable amount of time as determined by the director of placement or this department (see our Placement Policy). Every semester.

102 Second Semester German / 3 units

A continuation on the basis of GERM 101 with emphasis on reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, and elementary conversation. Prerequisite: GERM 101 or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

201 Third Semester German / 3 units

The final course of the core language sequence completes the introduction of the basic structures of the language, with continuing emphasis on communicative proficiency. At this level students are encouraged to participate in community service-learning and/or cultural activities within the German-speaking community. This course is also offered in the summer in Europe (see below). Prerequisite: GERM 102 or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

201 Third semester German in Europe / 3 units

Intensive summer course in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland conducted by a USD faculty member. Direct immersion in the life and culture of German-speaking people. See course description above. The university reserves the right to cancel this course if minimum enrollment is not met, or for any other reason. Prerequisite: GERM 102 or equivalent, or placement exam

202 Fourth Semester German / 3 units

Oral and written practice of German idiomatic expression and syntax. Emphasis on accuracy and fluency reinforced through readings of short stories and essay writing, as well as conversations dealing with German life and culture. Prerequisite: GERM 201 or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

230 Intermediate Conversation / 3 units

Intensive drill in spoken German based on assigned topics. This course does not count toward the German minor, but does count as elective lower-division units toward graduation. Prerequisite: GERM 201 or 202 or equivalent.

293 Language Tutoring and Field Experience in German / 3 units

Supervised participation in the department’s Tutoring Program or placement in a community organization in which the student’s skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor or the language coordinator.

294 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units

Study at the lower-division level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. If taught in English, this course may not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair. When offered, subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. Prerequisite:  GERM 202 or approval of the instructor.

Upper-Division Courses (GERM)

German 301 or equivalent is the prerequisite for all advanced courses.

301 Advanced Composition / 3 units

Further development of oral and writing abilities. Continued study of the grammatical structure of German with emphasis on idiomatic expressions and syntax. Reading of modern authors to consolidate the learning of idiomatic expressions and prepare for literature classes and further studies through interpretation of prose and films as well as techniques for plot and character analysis. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent. Every year.

302 Readings in German Literature / 3 units

Assigned readings in modern literature; class reports on literary topics of prose and poetry. Prerequisite: GERM 301 or equivalent.

303 Cultural Backgrounds of German Civilization / 3 units

Survey of the historical, social, cultural, and artistic evolution of German from the origins to the present. Survey of modern life and geography in Germany. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent.

304 Commercial Correspondence and Advanced Business German / 3 units

Oral and written Geschäftsdeutsch with special attention to accurate and idiomatic expressions used in economics, business, professional, and technical fields with an insight into Germany’s place in the European Union and the World Market. Extensive practice in writing business letters in the various fields of commerce. In addition, this course provides students with an option to achieve an international skills certificate that is to prepare for the exam of the Diplom Wirtschaftdeutsch für die USA, offered as a cooperative project by the American Association of Teachers of German, the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and the Goethe Institute. Business majors may take GERM 304 in place of GERM 301. Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent.

312 German Literature from 1900 to the Present / 3 units

A survey of German literature from 1900 to the present. Important movements, authors, and works in German literature since the turn of the century. Prerequisite: GERM 301 or equivalent.

394 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units

Study at the third-year level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. When offered, subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course may not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair. Prerequisite:  GERM 202 or approval of the instructor.

493 Language Tutoring and Field Experience in German / 3 units

Supervised participation in the department’s Tutoring Program or placement in a community organization in which the student’s skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor or the language coordinator.

494 Topics in German Literature / 3 units

Study at an advanced level of major topics of German literature, such as Medieval authors, Renaissance and Baroque masterworks, masterpieces of the Age of Enlightenment, the period of Storm and Stress, Classic and Romantic, Realism, Naturalism, and Modern works of the 20th century; themes, authors, genres. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisite: GERM 302 or equivalent.

499 Independent Study / 1-3 units

A program arranged between the advanced student and the instructor to provide intensive study in a particular area of interest. Extensive reading and consultation are required as well as preparation of reports to be assigned by the instructor. A maximum of three units may be applied toward the minor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chair.