The German department at Northwestern University
offers a broad spectrum of courses either in English or in German
in an effort to serve not only potential majors or minors but also
a variety of students from different fields within the college
and from other schools across campus, such as engineering or communication.
It is our goal to expose students in our classes to a variety of
learning approaches (including learning with technology), content
areas, and a broad range of texts so that they may gain a rich
understanding of the language, the history, and the culture of
the German-speaking world.
The courses we offer strive to combine the acquisition of intellectual
content with the acquisition of language on all levels of our curriculum.
We think that students learn best when their attention is focused on form
and content: therefore, we have designed integrated sequences of courses
across all instructional levels that emphasize the explicit and implicit
acquisition of both. For example, a carefully designed language acquisition
sequence in the first two years allows students to acquire a basic knowledge
of German quickly without compromising the acquisition of literature, culture,
and history. Conversely, courses in the third and fourth year are designed
to deepen literary, cultural and historical knowledge while emphasizing
the refinement of language accuracy and fluency, coupled with increasing
the language complexity. We also recognize that in addition to exposure
to various classroom learning situations and scenarios, learners need opportunities
to use the target language with native speakers in the target culture to
progress to an advanced level of language skills. We strongly encourage
all of our students, majors or non-majors, to take advantage of our many
study-abroad opportunities (including internships) to complement their
course work at Northwestern.
Even though our first- and second-year language and culture sequences primarily
emphasize the communicative approach where students practice the target
language in real and simulated situations, we strive to teach a balanced
approach in which all four language-skills are stressed: reading, writing,
speaking, and listening. The pedagogical approach underlying our curriculum,
whenever possible, is task-based teaching and learning on all levels of
instruction from students in the first year interviewing a mystery guest
to students in the fourth year researching a topic, interviewing relevant
people, and producing a film sequence in German. We recognize that language
learning does not proceed in a predictable linear fashion but is a complex
organic process. In our judgment, a task-based or project-oriented approach
to learning offers a better way of engaging and teaching students and works
well to support our students in becoming well-rounded independent learners
who can successfully employ their German knowledge in a wide range of intellectual
and professional activities upon graduating from Northwestern University.
In short, it is our goal to offer a program to our students
that reflects their interests, is personally enriching,
engaging and motivating, intellectually fulfilling, and,
at the same time, broadens and deepens their learning of
language, literature, culture and history. We hope that
students in our program acquire a fundamental understanding
of the German-speaking world and that the new insights
will engage their mind, shape their thinking and guide
future actions. We furthermore hope that the focus on a
balanced approach produces well-rounded students that have “…the
ability to think analytically and write and speak clearly and
persuasively” (Northwestern
Undergraduate Catalog, 2001-2003, 1), even in a foreign language.
REGULAR EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT
• Kaffeestunde
A weekly gathering to speak German and meet faculty and other
students.
Every Wednesday from 4-5 in Kresge 2-500.
• Film Series
The German Department is presenting various german
films according to a
theme developed by the department. Films are usually shown every second Tuesday
at 6 p.m. in Kresge 2-415. Consult our event schedule or calendar
for more details.
• Lunch Speaker Series
Once a quarter, the department is hosting a noon lecture
for students and
faculty on a current topic. The noon lectures take place on a Thursday at 12
p.m.
in Kregse 2-515. Consult our event schedule or calendar for more details.
• Skit Evening (Spring Quarter)
Students
in first-year and second-year German performe their best skits.
• Spring Awards Ceremony (Spring Quarter)
A German PicNic to celebrate the accomplishments of
students and faculty.
• Reception for Graduating Majors and Minors
and their families (Spring Quarter)
A good-by party to celebrate our Majors and Minors
and their families.
