Articulation of the German Language Curriculum
DUKE UNIVERSITY
GERMAN
LANGUAGE PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
Introduction:
The German Language Program is an integrated, content-based sequence of courses designed to enable students to communicate effectively in German in a wide range of contexts, and to gain a deepening knowledge and understanding of the German-speaking cultures, their arts and letters, stories and histories. German language courses are committed to developing students’ ability to create and interpret texts from multiple perspectives, and to reflect critically on the nature of language and culture. Students will enjoy a highly interactive, learner-centered approach that uses a wide array of authentic German media, including poetry, art, music, literature, news, magazines, film, video, and internet.
Goals:
The German Language Program is committed to the following (broad) goals:
1. The development of students’ ability to use the German language effectively in the interpretation, negotiation, and communication of meaning within German-speaking cultures in a range of personal and professional contexts.
2. The development of foreign cultural literacy and cross-cultural awareness. This includes an increasing knowledge and understanding of German history, culture and society, an awareness of the rich diversity within German-speaking communities, and a profound engagement with cultural difference.
3. The development of aesthetic and interpretive capacities through critical and creative engagement with cultural products, artifacts, and representations.
Pedagogical Practices:
Meeting these goals require 1) proficiency-oriented, interactive classroom practices which foster students’ ability to perform specific tasks within specific contexts, 2) topic-oriented syllabi and use of authentic materials from a variety of sources and media, and 3) learner-centered, collaborative projects that foster critical thinking and independent learning.
At all levels of the program, from beginning to advanced, students are at all times focused on both language and content. Vocabulary and grammar are introduced and practiced in various communicative and interpretive contexts, and literature and culture are introduced from the very beginning of language instruction. Assignments in each course will include a wide range of activities, from intensive analysis of texts to extensive pleasure reading, from form-focussed practice to individual or collaborative projects, and from multi-media modules to real-live interviews and cultural events on campus and in the community.
Sequence of Courses
GERMAN 001 – 002: First-Year German Language and Culture
Focus on topics of everyday life in German speaking countries. Practice in spoken and written German (speaking, listening, reading, writing,); introduction to German culture and society through poems, songs, films, and other authentic materials. Proficiency oriented, communicative approach to language study. Computer, video, and audio labs are an integral part of the course.
GERMAN 014: Intensive First-Year German Language and Culture
For two course credits, combines German 001 and 002 into one semester.
GERMAN 015: German for Reading Knowledge
German for students desiring reading skills for research purposes. Focus on grammatical rules and structures, translation, and reading skills such as gleaning meaning from context.
GERMAN 65 – 66: Intermediate German Language and Culture
This two-semester sequence builds students' language proficiency and knowledge of German culture through a topic-oriented syllabus focusing on contemporary German culture and society (family, leisure, work education, environment, current events). Provides a thorough review of German grammar. Authentic texts from a variety of media will provide the basis for discussion and cultural awareness. Extensive reading includes one longer prose text and one full-length play by contemporary German, Swiss, or Austrian writers.
GERMAN 69: Intensive Intermediate German Language and Culture
This one-semester intermediate course (two course credits) provides a thorough review of the basic structures of the German language, and further develops reading, listening, speaking and writing abilities through a topic-oriented syllabus dealing with contemporary German culture and society. (See 65-66.) Authentic texts from a variety of media will provide the basis for discussion and cultural awareness. This course effectively combines the two-semester Intermediate sequence (65-66) into one semester, thus preparing students more quickly for 100-level courses.
GERMAN 117 – 118: Advanced German Language and Culture
These upper level courses expand and deepen students’ cultural literacy and interpretive skills by focusing on issues of social, cultural, and political significance in German-speaking countries (e.g. reunification, multiculturalism, representations of women, globalisation of media, role of Germany in United Europe, dealing with the holocaust, issues of identity, etc.). Students work on increasing active and passive vocabulary and perfecting sentence structure for oral and written communication in various formats: formal and informal. Intensive work on idiomatic vocabulary, sentence structure and patterns of expression will enable students to discuss a variety of complex topics with increasing ease and confidence. Extensive reading includes a full-length novel in each semester by a contemporary German, Swiss, or Austrian writer.
GERMAN 100: Business German
Introduction to the language and culture of German business.
GERMAN 204: Advanced Business German
Topics include contract negotiations, management goals and strategies, banking and financial instruments, environmental issues.