GER 1: ELEMENTARY GERMAN

Instructor: Dr. Agnes Cser

4 Units, Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. An introduction to the sound system and grammar of German. Focuses on the development of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes conducted in German as much as possible. Credit is awarded for only one of the following sequences: GER 001, GER 002, and GER 003; GER 010A and GER 010B.

Instructor’s note: GER 1 builds the foundation of basic German communicative language skills while engaging learners with the various cultural aspects of the German-speaking countries. No prior German knowledge is needed. By taking GER 001, you also advance your future career options for studying and working. Sign up now for GER 001 in Winter 2026!

GER 1R: GERMAN FOR READING KNOWLEDGE

Instructor: Dr. Sabine Thuerwaechter

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; extra reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): none. First of an intensive two-quarter sequence providing a comprehensive coverage of basic German grammar. Differs from GER 001 by placing exclusive emphasis on developing the skills of reading and translating German. No previous knowledge of German is required.

GER 2: ELEMENTARY GERMAN

Instructor: Dr. Sabine Thuerwaechter

4 Units, Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 001 with a grade of “C-” or better or equivalent. An introduction to the sound system and grammar of German. Focuses on the development of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes conducted in German as much as possible. Credit is awarded for only one of the following sequences: GER 001, GER 002, and GER 003; GER 010A and GER 010B.

GER 101: GERMAN CONVERSATION

Instructor: Dr. Agnes Cser

4 Units, Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 004 or equivalent. Involves development of active control of the language with discussion and oral presentation of assigned topics. Supervised work in German phonetics.

Instructor’s Note: GER 101 is a German conversation course aiming to increase learners’ active control of language structures through discussions and oral presentations of various topics. Prerequisite: GER 004, or consent of instructor. Possible topics: Reiseerlebnisse, Wo wir sind, Wohin wir gehen, Das Wandern und der dunkle Wald, as well as reading and discussing a few short stories, Kurzgeschichten, about the possibilities that life offers. This course is a must for successful participation in the German-speaking world by expanding your persuasive and accurate German communicative skills. To increase your future career options, sign up for GER 101 now!

GER 172: READING PHILOSOPHICAL GERMAN

Instructor: Dr. John Kim

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; written work, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): GER 002R or GER 004 or consent of instructor. Develops reading strategies and translation skills for German philosophical texts through a review of grammar and readings in the original language. Prepares for a graduate-level translation exam and independent research in German. Intermediate to advanced German reading proficiency required; familiarity with German philosophical works is recommended but not required. Cross-listed with PHIL 172.

Instructor’s Note: For this year’s course “Reading Philosophical German,” we will focus on reading and translating key sections in Martin Heidegger’s Sein und Zeit on “Dasein” and “das Man.” No familiarity with Heidegger is required or assumed.