Courses

Course Offerings

These are the courses offered for the academic year, subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, always check the schedule of classes.

Elementary German Language Courses

GERMN 101: Elementary German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: None.

This course is for beginners without prior knowledge of German. It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German, Jägerbuch, Vol 1. ISBN 9781524996246

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
1360	01	Mon, Weds, Thur	10:30am - 11:20am	Ciaccio	TBA
6594	02	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Bloom	509B West
1357	03	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Zimmerman	611 West
1358	04	Tues, Fri	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Schenkel	611 West
1359	05	Mon, Thur	4:00pm - 5:15pm	Mekonen	509B West

GERMN 102: Elementary German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 101 or equivalent.

This course continues the work of GERMN 101. It broadens linguistic and cultural abilities for basic communication in a German-speaking environment. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German, Jägerbuch, Vol 2. ISBN 9781524996253

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
1587	01	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15am	Bloom	509B West
1586	02	Mon, Wed, Thur	10:30am - 11:20pm	Zimmerman	TBA
1588	03	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Koch	611 West

GERMN 103: Intensive Elementary German (6 hours, 6 credits)

Prereq: None.

This course is for beginners without prior knowledge of German. It covers in ONE semester the material normally covered in TWO, from GERMN 101-102. It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams
Textbook: Access to German, Jägerbuch, Vol 1. ISBN 9781524996246 AND Access to German, Jägerbuch, Vol 2. ISBN 9781524996253

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
5817	01	Mon, Wed, Thur	11:30am - 1:20pm	Dawson	TBA

Intermediate German Language Courses

GERMN 201: Intermediate German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103 or equivalent.

This course is the third in a four-semester sequence and continues the linguistic and cultural introduction to German. Review and practice of elementary grammar; introduction of advanced forms. Reading and discussion of selected texts. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
5174	01	Tue, Fri	11:30am - 12:45pm	Koch	611 West
5175	02	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Merolle	TBA
5173	03	Mon, Thur	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Zimmerman	611 West

GERMN 202: Intermediate German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 201 or equivalent.

Continued broadening of abilities in speaking, listening, reading, writing. Reading and discussion of selected literary texts. Strong emphasis on active student participation. Regular attendance and daily homework are important elements in this course. Completion of this course fulfills the Hunter College foreign language requirement. Students at this level will normally be tested by both written and oral examination.
Exam format: written quizzes, midterm and final exams

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
2077	01	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15am	Koch	611 West
2076	02	Mon, Thur	11:30am - 12:45pm	Mekonen	509B West

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses

GERMN 32058: German Comics & Graphic Literature (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
6599	01	Mon, Thur	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Dawson	509B West

GERMN 33600: German Lyric Poetry (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
6601	01	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Mekonen	509B West

GERMN 38501: German Press of Today (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: Two courses above GERMN 300 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
6600	01	Mon, Thur	11:30am - 12:45pm	Nicolai	611 West

Courses in German Literature & Culture (Conducted in English)

GERMN 24100: German Fairy Tales (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: ENGL 120.

Fairy tales are known all over the world. The most famous European book of fairy tales is the one collected by the Brothers Grimm. These stories have entered our collective unconscious but are not easily explained. We shall look at various attempts at explaining what fairy tales are all about, look at older stories that served as models for the Brothers Grimm and study modern versions of the tales including scenes from Walt Disney movies and "politically correct fairy tales." Students will read fairy tales, tell one that they know, and there will be regular written assignments, a midterm and final examination. All readings, discussions and written work will be in English. This course has a "W" designation.
Exam Format: written midterm and final exams
Required Reading: Jack Zipes, The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ISBN 9780553382167
Joanna Cole, Best-Loved Folktales of the World, ISBN 9780318796482 or ISBN 9780385189491

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
4280	01	Sat	8:30am - 11:20am	Titze	509B West
4283	02	Mon, Thur	10:00am - 11:15am	Titze	Online Synchronous
4281	03	Mon, Thur	8:30am - 9:45am	Titze	509B West
4284	04	Tues, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15 pm	Mekonen	Online Synchronous
4282	HC1	Mon, Thur	10:00am - 11:15am	Merolle	509B West

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room	Writing Intensive?
2996	01	Mon & Wed	8:00am-11:08am	Titze	Online Synchronous	Yes
2995	02	Mon & Wed	11:40am-2:48pm	Titze	Online Synchronous	Yes
2997	03	Tues & Thurs	11:40am-2:48pm	Mekonen	Online Synchronous	Yes
2998	04	Tues & Thurs	3:20 pm-6:28 pm	Mekonen	Online Synchronous	Yes

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room	Writing Intensive?
3909	05	Mon & Wed	8:00am-11:08am	Mekonen	Online Synchronous	Yes

ELEMENTARY GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES

GERMN 101: Elementary German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: None.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
10856	01	Mon, Wed, Thur	10:30am - 11:20am	Zimmerman	West Building, Room 509B
10858	02	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15pm	Merolle	West Building, Room 509B
10854	03	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Bloom	West Building, Room 509B
10857	04	Mon, Wed	5:30pm - 6:45pm	Ciaccio	West Building, Room 611
10855	05	Tue, Fri	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Bloom	West Building, Room 509B

GERMN 102: Elementary German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 101 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
8300	01	Mon, Wed, Thur	10:30am - 11:20pm	Dawson	West Building, Room 611
8299	02	Tue, Fri	11:30am - 12:45pm	Koch	West Building, Room 611
8301	03	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Koch	West Building, Room 611
8302	04	Mon, Thur	4:00pm - 5:15pm	Mekonen	West Building, Room 611

INTERMEDIATE GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES

GERMN 201: Intermediate German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
8754	01	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15pm	Koch	West Building, Room 611
8755	02	Mon, Thur	11:30am - 12:45pm	Zimmerman	West Building, Room 611

GERMN 202: Intermediate German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 201 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
8983	01	Tue, Fri	11:30am - 12:45pm	Merolle	West Building, Room 509B
8984	02	Mon, Thur	2:30am - 3:45pm	Mekonen	West Building, Room 611

GERMN 203: Intensive Intermediate German (6 hours, 6 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
10241	01	Mon, Wed, Thur	11:30am - 1:20pm	Dawson	West Building, Room 509B

COURSES IN GERMAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE

GERMN 24100: German Fairy Tales (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: ENGL 120. Conducted in English

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
9894	01	Sat	8:30am - 11:20am	Titze	West Building, Room 611
9892	02	Mon, Thur	8:30am - 9:45am	Titze	West Building, Room 509B
9889	03	Mon, Thur	10:00am - 11:15am	Titze	Online-Synchronous
9891	04	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15 pm	Mekonen	Online-Synchronous
9888	05	Tue, Fri	4:00pm - 5:15 pm	Bloom	West Building, Room 611
9893	06	Mon, Weds	7:00pm - 8:15 pm	Schenkel	Online-Synchronous

GERMN 32300: Women in German Literature (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: GERMN 202 or GERMN 203. Conducted in German

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
11330	01	Mon, Thur	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Zimmerman	West Building, Room 509B

GERMN 32700: Modern Swiss Literature (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: GERMN 202 or GERMN 203. Conducted in German

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
11339	01	Mon, Thur	11:30pm - 12:45pm	Mekonen	North Building, Room C103

GERMN 37954: Faust: Mar, Goeth and Mann (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: ENGL 120. Conducted in English

There are countless stories surrounding the pact between men and the devil. One of the most famous is the Faust legend. This course aims to address the origins of the real figure of Johann Georg Faust, who likely lived between 1480-1541, as well as three of the most important interpretations of this text: Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (in this course we will focus on Faust I), and the novel Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann. The human conflict between the power of faith and the certainty of scientific knowledge is a major theme in these literary adaptations. Faust is the person who strives beyond his limits and finds himself in conflict between egocentric self-realization and social recognition in a world that is still influenced by religion. All three texts covered in the course shine light on the social conflicts and challenges of the time in which they were written. The aim of the course is to examine both the temporal context and the connecting elements beyond this temporal classification.

This course is conducted in English; no knowledge of German is required.
Textbook: Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus: The LIfe of the German Composer Adrian Leverkühn as Told by a Friend. Translated by John E. Woods. First Vintage International Edition. New York: Vintage International, 1999, ISBN 9780375701160.
Course requirements: Regular attendance and preparation; oral presentation; 2 short papers; final paper

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
14804	01	Mon, Thur	4:00pm - 5:15pm	Schenkel	West Building, Room 509B

GERMN 44462: Franz Kafka's Works (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: GERMN 320 or GERMN 444. Conducted in German

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
11340	01	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Anderson	West Building, Room 611

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room	Writing Intensive?
9890	W01	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur	9:00am-12:08pm	Titze	Online Synchronous	No
9887	W02	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur	1:00pm-4:08pm	Titze	Online Synchronous	No
9886	W03	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur	5:00pm-8:08pm	Ciaccio	West Building, Room 410	No

Elementary German Language Courses

GERMN 101: Elementary German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: None.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
3451	01	Mon, Thur	8:30am - 9:45am	Nicolai	509B West
3454	03	Tue, Fri	11:30am - 12:45pm	Koch	611 West
3453	04	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Dawson	509B West
3452	05	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Schenkel	B121 East
3456	06	Mon, Thur	4:00pm - 5:15pm	Bloom	611 West

GERMN 102: Elementary German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 101 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
3605	01	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15am	Dawson	West Building, Room 611
3606	02	Mon, Wed, Thur	10:30am - 11:20pm	Mekonen	West Building, Room 509B
3604	03	Tue, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Koch	West Building, Room 611

GERMN 103: Intensive Elementary German (6 hours, 6 credits)

Prereq: None.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
1776	01	Mon, Wed, Thur	11:30am - 1:20pm	Bloom	West Building, Room 509B

Intermediate German Language Courses

GERMN 201: Intermediate German I (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 102 or 103 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
2369	01	Tue, Fri	11:30am - 12:45pm	Dawson	West Building, Room 509B
9417	02	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Merolle	West Building, Room 611
2368	03	Mon, Thur	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Merolle	West Building, Room 611

GERMN 202: Intermediate German II (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 201 or equivalent.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
4052	01	Tue, Fri	10:00am - 11:15am	Koch	West Building, Room 509B
9412	02	Mon, Thur	11:30am - 12:45pm	Mekonen	West Building, Room 611

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses

GERMN 32057: Erich Kaestner (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 equivalent.

Erich Kästner is one of German's major 20th-century authors. This year, Germany is celebrating his 125th birthday with lectures, museum exhibits, and more. Born in 1899, he grew up under the Kaiser, served in World War One, and became a literary star of the Weimar Republic. Although he was not allowed to publish under the Nazis (who burned his books in 1933), he stayed in Germany during the Third Reich. When he died in 1974, he had been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times. Kästner is known for his classic children's books, his biting satires, his humorous adult novels, and his political commentary. His writings have a light touch and accessible language, which work well for students beginning their study of German literature. We will read Emil und die Detektive (the only book of his not burnt by the Nazis in 1933), Das doppelte Lottchen, Drei Männer im Schnee, passages from his autobiography Als ich ein kleiner Junge war, and a selection of his poems. We will also watch some film versions of his books. We will exmaine why the Nazis considered Kästner decadent and what makes his children's books in particular so popular even today.
Textbooks: Emil und die Dektektive (ISBN 978-3-85535-603-4); Das doppelte Lottchen (ISBN 978-3-85535-605-8); Drei Männer im Schnee (ISBN 978-3-03882-016-1)
Course requirements: Attendance and participation with individualized speaking assignments, weekly or bi-weekly papers of 1-2 pages (with corrections), midterm and final examinations

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
9413	01	Mon, Thur	11:30am - 12:45pm	Nicolai	East Building, Room 921

GERMN 33900: German Drama from Naturalism to Present (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: GERMN 202 or 203 or equivalent.

In this course on German theater in the 20th and 21st centuries, we will read and discuss dramatic literature by Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921-1990), and Juli Zeh (1974-), among others. Emphasis will be on close reading and analysis; the cultural and historical background of each text will also be considered. Students will watch/listen to performances and adaptations of the assigned plays, either in person or via recordings, and will also rehearse and perform scenes from the assigned readings.

This course is intended for students who have relatively little experience studying literature in German. It is not intended for native speakers of German.
Textbook: Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Der Besuch der alten Dame, ISBM 9783257230451
Course requirements: Regular reading and other class preparation; regular attendance and active participation; regular writing assignments; midterm & final exams

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
9414	01	Mon, Thur	1:00pm - 2:15pm	Anderson	East Building, Room 922

GERMN 38503: German Grammar for Upper Level Discourse (3 hours, 3 credits)

Prereq: Three courses above GERMN 300 or equivalent.

During the first half of this course our aim shall be at functional control of all items of basic grammar, working intensively with the tasks of narration and describing. Building upon this in the second half of the semester, students shall proceed to work with the more complex grammatical structures, which are necessary for one to master in order to state and defend opinions, hypothesize and argue abstractly - in short - to speak and write at a high level of literacy. Students shall work throughout the semester not only on the active skills of speaking and writing, but also on their ability to comprehend spoken and written German. Students should expect regular homework, as well as two to three brief in-class presentations throughout the semester. While English will be the language of explanations (with discussions of grammar and syntax and comparisons to English grammar all being conducted in English) all functional practices and assignments will be in German.
Exam format: Written midterm and final exam
Textbook: You will be given extensive handout materials. This is a "zero-cost" course, these materials will be provided to you free of charge.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
9415	01	Mon, Thur	2:30pm - 3:45pm	Mekonen	West Building, Room 509B

Courses in German Literature & Culture (Conducted in English)

GERMN 24100: German Fairy Tales (3 hours, 3 credits)

Pre- or Coreq: ENGL 120.

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
3192	01	Sat	8:30am - 11:20am	Titze	West Building, Room 509B
3195	02	Mon, Thur	10:00am - 11:15am	Titze	Online-Synchronous
3193	03	Mon, Thur	8:30am - 9:45am	Titze	West Building, Room 611
3196	04	Tues, Fri	1:00pm - 2:15 pm	Mekonen	Online-Synchronous
3194	HC1	Mon, Thur	10:00am - 11:15am	Ciaccio	West Building, Room 611

~~GERMN 37954: Faust: Mar, Goeth and Mann (3 hours, 3 credits)~~

~~Prereq: ENGL 12000~~

There are countless stories surrounding the pact between men and the devil. One of the most famous is the Faust legend. This course aims to address the origins of the real figure of Johann Georg Faust, who likely lived between 1480-1541, as well as three of the most important interpretations of this text: Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (in this course we will focus on Faust I), and the novel Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann. The human conflict between the power of faith and the certainty of scientific knowledge is a major theme in these literary adaptations. Faust is the person who strives beyond his limits and finds himself in conflict between egocentric self-realization and social recognition in a world that is still influenced by religion. All three texts covered in the course shine light on the social conflicts and challenges of the time in which they were written. The aim of the course is to examine both the temporal context and the connecting elements beyond this temporal classification.

~~This course is conducted in English; no knowledge of German is required.~~
Textbook: Thomas Mann, Doctor Faustus: The LIfe of the German Composer Adrian Leverkühn as Told by a Friend. Translated by John E. Woods. First Vintage International Edition. New York: Vintage International, 1999, ISBN 9780375701160.
Course requirements: Regular attendance and preparation; oral presentation; 2 short papers; final paper

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room
~~9416~~	01	~~Mon, Thur~~	~~4:00pm - 5:15pm~~	~~Schenkel~~	CANCELED

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room	Writing Intensive?
3917	01	Mon & Wed	8:00am-11:08am	Titze	Online Synchronous	Yes
3918	02	Mon & Wed	11:40am-2:48pm	Titze	Online Synchronous	Yes
2948	03	TBA	TBA	Wicker	Online Synchronous	No

Class	Section	Days	Time	Instructor	Room	Writing Intensive?
2947	04	TBA	TBA	Mekonen	Online Synchronous	No

Language Courses

The German Department offers beginning and intermediate language courses every semester.

The Hunter College language requirement helps students to:

communicate in a language other than English
attain cross-cultural knowledge and sensitivity
gain new perspectives on how people think, view the world, and express themselves

German language courses that fulfill this requirement are offered each semester at the elementary (100) and intermediate (200) levels. They use faculty-authored, low-cost textbooks and materials. The goals of these courses are:

To give all students a real ability to function in everyday situations in the German language.
To create a solid linguistic base for the further study of German at the advanced level.

Please email the department chair for help with placement or planning your language studies.

Schedule of Classes

You can search for the schedule of the classes using either CUNY Global Search Tool or by logging into your CUNYfirst account using their Search for Classes option.

Course Catalog

The course catalog lists all German courses ever taught. To see the full list of German courses, use the undergraduate course catalog. German courses have the prefix GERMN.

VIEW

our full course catalog

Courses

Course Offerings

Elementary German Language Courses

Intermediate German Language Courses

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses

Courses in German Literature & Culture (Conducted in English)

Courses in German Literature & Civilization (Conducted in English)

ELEMENTARY GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES

INTERMEDIATE GERMAN LANGUAGE COURSES

COURSES IN GERMAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE

Courses in German Literature & Civilization (Conducted in English)

Elementary German Language Courses

Intermediate German Language Courses

Advanced German Language, Literature and Culture Courses

Courses in German Literature & Culture (Conducted in English)

Courses in German Literature & Civilization (Conducted in English)

Language Courses

Schedule of Classes

Course Catalog