Department of World Languages & Cultures

B.A. in German

2005-2007 Catalog

Department Faculty

Amidon, Kevin (Ph.D. Princeton)

Carter, Bill (Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Martin, Beth (M.A. Penn State)

Rectanus, Elizabeth (M.A. Mississippi State)

Rectanus, Mark (Ph.D. Washington Univ., St. Louis)

Vander Lugt, Kristin (Ph.D., Indiana University)

The Major: Students majoring in German are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits beyond the intermediate (201, 202) level.

Required for all majors (18 credits)

• Ger 302 Composition 3 cr
• Ger 305 Advanced Conversation and Listening Comprehension 3 cr
• Ger 440 Topics in German Literature minimum 4cr*
• Ger 471 Foundations of German Civilization 4cr**
• Ger 472 Topics in German Cultural Studies 4cr**

One course from EACH of the following groups is also REQUIRED for the major (6 credits)

• Group one:
• Ger 301 Reading 3 cr

or

• Ger 304 German for Business and Professions 3 cr

• Group two:
• Ger 320 Germany Today 3 cr

or

• Ger 330 Introduction to German Literature 3 cr

Other courses to choose from (6 credits)

Courses taught in German

• Ger 301 Reading 3 cr
• Ger 304 German for Business and Professions 3 cr
• Ger 320 Germany Today 3 cr
• Ger 330 Introduction to German Literature 3 cr
• Ger 395 Study Abroad 3 cr
• Ger 395 Study Abroad 1-10 cr

Courses taught in English***

• Ger 370 German Studies in English 4 cr
• Ger 371 The Holocaust in Text, Image, and Memory 4 cr
• Ger 375 Grimms Tales 4 cr
• Ger 378 German Film and Media Studies 4 cr
• Ger 395 Study Abroad 4 cr

Flng 498 History of the Germanic Languages 4 cr

*Ger 440 may be repeated up to 9 credits for different offerings. Majors must take at least one 440 for a minimum of 4 credits.

**Majors must enroll in Ger 471 and Ger 472 for 4 credits each (4th credit is instructed in German).

***Majors may enroll in no more than one of these courses for the fourth credit; majors must enroll in the fourth credit if the course is to count toward the major.

The Minor: The minor consists of 15 credits total, 9 credits of which must be taken at the 300-level (or above) in German. Three of the 9 credits must be in a literature or culture course (either German 320 or 330). Six of the 9 credits must be completed at ISU. Finally, neither courses in English translation nor internship credits (Ger 499) may be counted toward the minor. Eligible courses for the minor are: Ger 301, 302, 304, 305, 320, 330, and 440.

Placement and Prerequisites: Students who have had German before coming to Iowa State should take the on-line placement test available on line at the Language Studies Resource Center web site:

http://www.language.iastate.edu/AcademicAdvisor/PlacementIndex.htm

They should note the result of the test and bring it to the department advisor, Elizabeth Rectanus (3220 Pearson). She will then help determine placement in the program.

English Proficiency Requirements: Degree-seeking students must earn a grade of C- or better in a sequence of English composition courses, usually English 104 and 105. The department will certify English proficiency for students who receive a C or better in a WLC or Classical Studies course numbered 370-379. German majors are encouraged to fulfill the continuing English Proficiency Requirement by completing a 370-379 course in another language area. Such a course will also fill an LAS Group I (Arts and Humanities) requirement. German majors may not use German 370-379 or German 471-472 in Group I.

Reminder to Native Speakers: Students with native fluency in German are not eligible to enroll in German 301, 302 or 305. They should consult with the WLC advising coordinator before enrolling in German classes.

Internships: Students who are interested in academic credit for an internship in a German-speaking country (Ger 499), should consult with the academic advisor (Elizabeth Rectanus). Students must secure both a faculty advisor here at Iowa State as well as an on-site supervisor for the internship. In order to get academic credit, a Learning Contract must be completed before the internship commences.

Study Abroad Opportunities: Iowa State offers students of German several options for study abroad. For information concerning current opportunities, contact Mark Rectanus at (515) 294-4324 or the Study Abroad Center at (515) 294-6792. Iowa State students are also eligible to participate in the ISEP Exchange Program in Germany for one semester or for an entire academic year. Students may choose to study an extensive variety of courses at six well-known German universities. Further details on course offerings, cost, and application procedures are available from the Study Abroad Center.

Languages and Cultures for Professions: Students in the Colleges of Business and Engineering may declare a second-major option in LCP. This major includes 27 credits at the 300/400 levels and 3 credits of internship (Ger 499). Students who wish to pursue this option should contact Mark Rectanus at: mwr@iastate.edu

Teacher Education: Students who wish to qualify for certification to teach German in the secondary schools should request additional information from Prof. Linda Quinn Allen (3234 Pearson Hall) and/or check the requirements on-line.

Related Links

2003 - 2005 Catalog