Level: 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | GN for Singers

Seven-Week Intensive Language Courses

GN 101-102-103 Elementary German
Instructors: Ostertag (coordinator), Sandberg, Morrison, Randall, Mittler

Daily activities include four hours of classroom instruction, plus additional work in the language laboratory and computer center. Emphasis will be placed on the grammatical structures of German as well as on conversation and correct pronunciation. Reading comprehension skills are introduced through primary texts, including literature. Throughout the program, audio-visual presentations supplement regular classroom activities. (3 Units)

Required texts: Moeller/Liedloff et al., Deutsch heute, 8th edition: text with workbook, lab manual, video workbook, multimedia CD. (Houghton Mifflin); Additional materials will be made available 

Note: All students who have prior knowledge of German and want to be placed beyond the Elementary German level (101-102-103) are required to take an analytical placement examination involving all four skills. On the basis of the test results, students will be advised concerning their course selections.

GN 198-199-200 Early Intermediate German
Instructors: Heck (coordinator), Obrath

The successful completion of this course corresponds to the equivalent of second and third semester German. The active use of all major points of basic grammar and vocabulary is stressed in order to bring students to a common working level in the four skills. During the second half, a greater emphasis will be placed on the development of writing skills and reading strategies with appropriate cultural and literary texts. Audio-visual materials supplement the four hours of daily classroom instruction. Listening comprehension and pronunciation practice require the use of the language laboratory. (3 Units)

Required texts: Moeller/Liedloff et al., Kaleidoskop, 7th ed. (Houghton Mifflin); Spaethling & Weber, Literatur Eins, 2nd edition (Houghton Mifflin) 

GN 201-202-203 Intermediate German
Instructors: Djukic-Cocks (coordinator), Russi, Mittler

This is an integrated program consisting of four hours of classroom instruction and some work in the language laboratory. To develop the four skills, students take three basic courses: Grammar Review, Composition and Conversation, German Culture and Life, plus one literature module for each half of the term. (3 Units)

Required texts: Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Grammatik, 3rd ed. (Houghton Mifflin); Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj & Michaela Späinghaus: Anders Gedacht (Houghton Mifflin); Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame (Houghton Mifflin); Wells and Morwedge, Mitlesen, Mitteilen. Literarische Texte zum Lesen, Sprechen, Schreiben und Hören (Thomson & Heinle)

GN 301-302-303 Advanced German
Instructors: Graf (coordinator), Wegel, Morrison

The courses at the 300 level are designed as an integrated program for language learning. The program includes advanced grammar/conversation and composition, contemporary German culture and literature. Some additional language and computer work is required. (3 Units)

GN 301 Advanced Grammar and Communication
Instructors: Graf, Wegel

This course meets two hours per day to analyze and provide advanced grammatical structures, provide intensive written and oral language training, offer insights into German ways of perception, and teach strategies of communication and language learning. For this course, some additional language and computer laboratory work is required. (1 Unit)

Required texts: Dreyer/Schmitt: Lehr- und übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik. Neubearbeitung. (2000 edition, Hueber Verlag)

GN 302 Modern German Literature                                         Instructor: Morrison

This course will use short German prose to enrich cultural context, increase vocabulary, reinforce grammatical and communicative structures, and introduce methods of literary interpretation. (1 Unit)

Required text: Turneaure, Im Spiegel der Literatur (W.W. Norton).

GN 303 German Culture and Society                                            Instructors: Graf, Wegel

This course introduces aspects of the German cultures – arranged in weekly themes – and some historical background to facilitate a better understanding of the German cultures and societies, as well as increase vocabulary and reinforce grammatical and communicative structures. (1 Unit)

Required texts: Blumoehr, Ritz: Die Gesellschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Sozialstrukturen im Wandel (Buchners Verlag). Additional materials from the Web will be used.

Note: Students at the third level are encouraged to take the examination Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsparache administered through the Goethe Institute in Boston for a small additional fee.

GN 401-410 Advanced German II
Instructor: Geffers-Browne (coordinator)

The courses at the 400 level seek to develop the speaking and writing strategies applicable to specific types of discourse and to apply them to the study of literature and culture. This level has a three-pronged offering. In addition to the two courses listed below, the student will select a third course from the six-week program.

GN 401 Stylistics, Expository Writing, and Communication

This course meets for about two hours daily and forms the core of the 400 level program. It aims at strengthening the student's ability to write and speak German at an advanced level through development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills with an emphasis on advanced elements of communication and style. Attention will be paid to fine points of grammar, use of idioms, appropriate register. Classroom activities are enhanced by audio and video material as well as visitations by, and subsequent discussions with, German School guests and visitors. Lectures, films, and other cultural events of the German School will be incorporated into the course. (1 Unit)

Required texts: Rug/Tomaszewski, Grammatik mit Sinn and Verstand (Klett); additional materials will be available.

GN 410 20th Century Literature of the German Speaking Countries
Based on literary texts of various lengths the course explores issues of cultural and historical importance as reflected by literature throughout the century. The course aims at expansive classroom discussions, creative writing assignments of increasing difficulty, students' presentations on different literary topics and also incorporates audio and video material appropriate and related to the various literary pieces being elaborated on in class. (1 Unit)

Required texts: Thomas Mann, Tristan; Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Die Physiker; Bernhard Schlink, Der Vorleser; and stories and poetry as handouts

Note: Students at the fourth level are encouraged to take the examination Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung administered through the Goethe Institute in Boston for a small fee.

German for Singers and Vocal Coaches

The German for Singers and Vocal Coaches program includes two basic components: language learning and musical performance. The language component provides daily instruction in grammar and conversation at a level appropriate to the student's proficiency as demonstrated on a placement test. Special attention will be given to German diction, conversational style, and poetic interpretation. For the language portion of this program two units of credit are awarded, and the courses are offered on four levels:

GN 105-106 Elementary German for Singers                               Instructor: Gabriel

Daily activities include 3 hours of classroom instruction, plus additional work in the language laboratory and the computer center. Emphasis will be placed on the grammatical structures of German, conversational survival skills, diction, and pronunciation, as well as music vocabulary. (2 Units)

Required texts: )DiDonato, Clyde & Vansant: Deutsch, Na Klar! 4th edition (McGraw-Hill); Recommended text: Barber, German for Musicians (Indiana University Press); Additional materials will be available.

GN 205-206 Intermediate German for Singers

Daily activities include two hours of grammar review, conversation, and composition practice to develop the four basic language skills. Pronunciation and diction are an integral part of this course, which also requires some activities in the language laboratory and the computer center. (2 Units)

Required texts: Wells, Handbuch der deutschen Grammatik, 3rd ed. (Houghton Mifflin); Irene Motyl-Mudretzkyj & Michaela Spainghaus: Anders Gedacht (Houghton Mifflin); Spaethling/Weber, Literatur Eins (W.W. Norton); Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame (Houghton Mifflin).

GN 305-306 Advanced German for Singers

Advanced Grammar and Communication meets two hours per day to analyze and practice advanced grammatical structures, to provide intensive written and oral training, to offer insights into the German way of perception, and to develop communication and reading skills. Some additional work in the language and computer laboratories is required. (2 Units)

Required texts: Dippmann, A Practical Review of German Grammar, 2nd ed. (Prentice Hall); Hog, Sichtwechsel (Klett).

GN 405-406 Advanced German for Singers II

Stylistics, Expository Writing, and Communication meets two hours per day and aims at strengthening the student's ability to write and speak German at an advanced level. (2 Units)

Required text: to be announced.

Performance Component

The performance component of the German for Singers and Vocal Coaches program carries one unit of credit. Enrollment in one of the following four courses includes enrollment in voice and coaching.

GN 104 Elementary Lyric Diction (1 Unit)

McDonald and staff

GN 204 Intermediate Lyric Diction (1 Unit)

McDonald and staff

GN 304 Advanced Lyric Diction I (1 Unit)

McDonald and staff

GN 404 Advanced Lyric Diction II (1 Unit)

McDonald and staff

For a complete description of the program see : German for Singers and Vocal Coaches.