GRM - German

GRM 101 Elementary German Language and Cultures

This introductory, fully immersive course teaches foundational grammar and vocabulary in meaningful contexts and introduces the geography and cultures of the diverse German-speaking world. Communicative activities and assignments build listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Authentic multimedia materials help students learn about and value cultural perspectives other than their own. GRM 101-102 are taken consecutively.

3

GRM 102 Elementary German Language and Cultures

The second half of the year-long introductory, fully immersive course continues to build foundational grammar and vocabulary in meaningful contexts and introduce the geography and cultures of the diverse German-speaking world. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills are built through communicative activities and authentic materials. Students who complete this sequence learn about and value cultural perspectives other than their own.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 101 with a grade of C- or higher

GRM 105 Accelerated Elementary German

This class provides students with the opportunity to learn a full year of German in one semester with the advantage of intensive study, which promotes greater retention. It provides a solid foundation for second-year German at the University of Portland or for students planning to study in Salzburg.

6

GRM 201 Intermediate German Language and Cultures

Students increase listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills while advancing knowledge of vocabulary, geography, and cultures of the German-speaking world. Foundational grammar concepts are solidified through multimedia content, communicative activities, and projects. Students learn to identify components of other cultural perspectives and value other worldviews. GRM 201-202 are taken as a comprehensive, consecutive sequence.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 102 with a grade of C- or higher.

GRM 202 Intermediate German Language and Cultures

As students complete the intermediate sequence, they solidify foundational grammar concepts and strengthen communicative skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. This immersion class engages students in the culture through work on projects and with authentic texts. By the end of the sequence, students will be able to identify components of other cultural perspectives and value other worldviews in comparison to their own.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 201 with a grade of C- or higher.

GRM 207 Accelerated Intermediate German Language and Culture

This intensive course combines GRM 201 and 202 into one semester. It immerses students in the language and strengthens their linguistic and cultural proficiency by working with a textbook and primary texts. By the end of this sequence, students will be able to identify components of other cultural perspectives and value other worldviews in comparison to their own.

6

GRM 301 Advanced German Conversation, Composition, and Culture

The topic of this class, In die Welt hinaus gehen, going out into the world, frames our study of contemporary German-speaking culture. We study urban life, the environment, racism, and migration by analyzing news, films, and other authentic material to expand proficiency and accuracy in writing and speaking. By the end of the 301-302 sequence, students will be able to recognize other cultural perspectives and use them in the target language.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 202 with a grade of C- or higher or instructor permission

GRM 302 Advanced German Conversation, Composition, and Culture

In this class, we read a variety of authentic texts to dig into one topic, such as the role of the environment, in contemporary German-speaking culture. Reading and writing assignments increase proficiency and accuracy in writing. Formal and informal opportunities to speak strengthen spoken German. By the end of the 301-302 sequence, students will be able to recognize other cultural perspectives and use them to interact in the target language.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 with a grade of C- or higher or instructor permission

GRM 311 Advanced German Conversation, Composition, and Culture

Students will increase the proficiency of their receptive and productive skills in German through a variety of activities and materials, including tasks allowing students to engage with local culture and customs. By the end of the 311-312 sequence, students will be able to recognize other cultural perspectives and use them in interactions in the target language. (Salzburg only.)

3

Prerequisites

GRM 202 or GRM 207 or equivalent.

GRM 312 Advanced German Conversation, Composition, and Culture

Students will increase the proficiency of their receptive and productive skills in German through a variety of activities and materials, including tasks allowing students to engage with local culture and customs. By the end of the 311-312 sequence, students will be able to recognize other cultural perspectives and use them in interactions in the target language. (Salzburg only.)

3

Prerequisites

GRM 202 or GRM 207 or equivalent.

GRM 353 Remembering Divided Germany

This course uses a variety of contemporary texts—fiction, journalism, memoir, music, film—to explore how Germany’s division during the Cold War is understood today. Ultimately, we ask whether we can speak of a unified Germany and, if not, what prevents us from doing so. We practice reading, close analysis, and introduce cultural theory; expand vocabulary; and increase precision in speaking and writing.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or instructor permission

GRM 354 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis

This course is intended as a scaffold between the GRM 301 - GRM 302 sequence and the 400-level. By reading a variety of texts, students will strengthen their reading skills, practice close analysis, and begin to work with literary theory. This course will continue to build on students’ existing vocabulary and grammar knowledge with the goal of greater precision in writing in preparation for the 400-level.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 355 Advanced Conversation and Composition and Austrian Images

This course allows students who have completed two 300-level courses prior to study in Salzburg to improve the accuracy of their written and spoken proficiency in German. Along with classroom activities, students will engage with the local culture and customs. (Salzburg only.)

3

Prerequisites

GRM 302 or equivalent.

GRM 356 Advanced Conversation and Composition and Austrian Images

This course allows students who have completed two 300-level courses prior to study in Salzburg to improve the accuracy of their written and spoken proficiency in German. Along with classroom activities, students will engage with the local culture and customs. (Salzburg only.)

3

Prerequisites

GRM 302 or equivalent.

GRM 370 Intercultural Competence in an Austrian Context I

Examines the cultural and linguistic heritage of Austria by focusing on the music, history/politics, and language of the region through an interdisciplinary and intercultural lens. Students will develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and second language proficiency as outlined in the Global and Intercultural Learning Outcomes, and as pertinent to the Austrian context. Course taught in Salzburg.

3

GRM 371 Intercultural Competence in an Austrian Context II

Examines the cultural and linguistic heritage of Austria by focusing on the music, history/politics, and language of the region through an interdisciplinary and intercultural lens. Students will develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and second language proficiency as outlined in the Global and Intercultural Learning Outcomes, and as pertinent to the Austrian context. Course taught in Salzburg.

3

GRM 390 Directed Study

Credit arranged.

Variable

GRM 401 Multicultural Society in Germany

Germanness is often equated with whiteness, but this no longer reflects the reality of German society. In this course we engage with historical events that complicate the idea of Germanness as well as current creative works that revise Germany's national identity as based on race. Together we investigate national identity, belonging, and the politics of integration and inclusion.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 403 Topics in Austrian Literature and Culture

Students in this course will explore an aspect of Austrian literature and culture as it relates to depictions of nature, boundaries, identity, spirituality, or the legacy of the past and will also refine their receptive (listening, reading) and productive (speaking, writing) skills in German through summary, description, comparison, and narration.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 405 German Women's Writing

In this supposedly post-feminist age, gender nonetheless shapes lived experience. This course introduces students to the literature and thematic concerns of women's writing in German. Taking an intersectional approach to identity, we consider gender as one facet that shapes life and literary production.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 407 Text and Image in the First World War

This course focuses on visual and textual cultural products in the German-speaking world during the First World War, including public documents, such as Kaiser Franz Josef’s declaration of war, and private documents, such as letters written between war front and home front. Along with content goals, this course focuses on practicing and increasing German language skills appropriate for this level.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or 311

GRM 408 German Play Reading and Performance

German plays will be read in a reader's theater format, discussed in the context of current social/cultural events, and performed in German. Emphasis upon expanding vocabulary and improving pronunciation, intonation, and expression. Conducted in German.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 422 Art and Media of German-Speaking Countries

Students will investigate a variety of media or a single medium (such as art, theater, film, and music) to analyze depictions of nature, boundaries, identity, spirituality, or the legacy of the past in German-speaking cultures. Concurrent with refining their German language skills, students will learn specific vocabulary to analyze each medium.

3

Prerequisites

GRM 301 or GRM 311

GRM 499 Senior Thesis

Research, study, or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, department chair, dean, and the director of the honors program, when appropriate.

Variable

Prerequisites

Senior standing; 3.0 GPA in the thesis area or good standing in the honors program.