The Department’s aim is to guide students to proficiency in the traditional four skills of language acquisition (speaking, aural comprehension, reading and writing), and to introduce them to the broad arena of culture, including literature, arts, history, and politics. Our strong proficiency based methods of teaching in tandem with the exceptional opportunities for study abroad enable our students to achieve a higher than average level of sophistication in all of these areas.
An integral part of the mission of this department is to encourage as many majors, minors, and other interested students as possible to study abroad. We believe that study abroad in concert with their on-campus exposure to German and Russian studies assists them in thinking more objectively about American culture and language from a distanced perspective and consequently enables them to examine their own attitudes and beliefs more objectively.
In addition, the university’s goal of preparing its students for their professional life is certainly enhanced by familiarity with, and close scrutiny of, foreign cultures, attitudes, languages, and economies in light of contemporary emphasis on global understanding and interaction.
Certification
German majors are required (and German minors are strongly encouraged) to take the Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) examination in their last semester of their senior year. The Wirtschaftsdeutsch als Fremdsprache (WiDaf) is offered at the end of Business German II, GER 330.
Study Abroad
German majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad for at least one semester with IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) in Freiburg, Berlin or Vienna; for a summer immersion course in Jena, at the Flow House in Vienna, Austria, or at the Goethe Institute in Germany. Students may also elect to participate in an internship (3h, pass/fail) with any of the three IES study abroad programs.
Scholarships
The department awards several W.D. Sanders scholarships for study abroad every year. Deadline is the Monday following Thanksgiving break, and students interested in IES or Goethe Institute study are invited to apply.
GER 100/GES 100. German Pre-Orientation Tour
(Audit/1h) One-week tour for entering freshmen, Vienna Austria. Students and faculty stay at the Wake Forest Flow House. Tour includes concerts, museums, palaces and historic walking tours in the city as well as visits to the surrounding countryside and a day trip to the Abbey at Melk on the Danube. All student participants must sign up for GER 100 either as an audit or for credit. In order to receive the one hour of credit, the student must either
- register for GER 111, GER 112, GER 113, GER 153, GER 210 or GER 212 subsequent to taking the tour or
- complete a short paper analyzing one of the cultural events or excursions offered.
The credit will count towards the German (GER) or German Studies (GES) major or minor. Pass/Fail only.
Study Abroad
Russian majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad for at least one semester. The university is associated with several programs in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Visit the Center for Global Programs and Studies for more information.
Scholarships
Students may apply for the Lowell and Anne Tillett Scholarship Fund for study abroad. Scholarships are also available from the Center for Global Programs and Studies.
Semester in Vienna
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| GER 110 | Intensive Elementary German | 4 |
| GER 150 | Intermediate German | 4 |
| GER 214 | Masterpieces of Austrian Literature | 3 |
| GES 341 | Austrian Literature in Translation | 3 |
| GES 350 | Fin de Siècle Vienna | 3 |
Internships (GER 322)
Winston-Salem, Forsyth County Schools
Under faculty direction, a student mentors local German students at the middle or high school level. The intern may tutor students directly or assist in structuring and coordinating German language activities or events as the head classroom teacher requests. Course requirements include but are not limited to:
- a journal including a general description of the student’s responsibilities,
- a supporting portfolio of teaching materials along with summaries of activities and events,
- regular consultation with Wake Forest faculty advisor in German,
- a reflective overview composed at the end of the internship, and
- an evaluation supplied by the head teacher at the end of the internship.
Old Salem, North Carolina (1.5 h)
Under faculty direction, the student serves in the Old Salem Archive as a German language specialist, translating documents from German into English. Course requirements include but are not limited to:
- faculty evaluation of work completed,
- a portfolio of copies of translated work,
- regular consultation with a Wake Forest faculty mentor in German,
- an evaluation by an administrator of the Old Salem Archive.
German Lab Assistant (1.5 h)
Lab assistant for elementary German classes.
Pass/Fail
German and Russian courses at the 100-level may not be taken pass/fail unless the student has already fulfilled WFU's language requirement.
Contact Information
Department of German & Russian
Greene Hall 333, Box 7353
Phone 336-758-3493
German (GER)
GER 001. German for Reading Knowledge. (1.5 h)
For graduate students and motivated undergraduate students who will need a reading knowledge of German in their academic fields (Divinity School, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Music, etc.). Introductory training in understanding/translating a variety of texts from German into English, including grammar and vocabulary overview. No prior knowledge of German necessary. Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Taught online. Pass/Fail.
GER 002. German for Reading Knowledge. (1.5 h)
For graduate students and motivated undergraduate students who will need a reading knowledge of German in their academic fields (Divinity School, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Music, etc.). Continuation of grammar and vocabulary overview from GER 001, culminating in a personalized translation project. Includes German proficiency test samples. For students who have completed GER 001, or who have received instructor permission. Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Taught online. Pass/Fail.
GER 100. German Pre-Orientation Tour. (1 h)
Pass/Fail only.
GER 110. Intensive Elementary German. (4 h)
One-semester course covering the material of GER 111 and 112. For students whose preparation for GER 153 is inadequate or who have demonstrated proficiency in another language. Not open to students who have had GER 111 or 112. Offered only at the Flow House in Vienna.
GER 111. Elementary German. (4 h)
Introduction to German language and culture. First of a two-semester sequence.
GER 112. Elementary German. (4 h)
Introduction to German language and culture. Second of a two-semester sequence.
GER 113. Intensive Elementary German. (4 h)
A one-semester course covering the material of German 111 and 112. For students whose preparation for German 153 is inadequate or who have demonstrated proficiency in another language. Not open to students who have had German 111 or 112.
GER 150. Intermediate German. (4 h)
Review of principles of grammar; reading of selected prose and poetry. Offered only at the Flow House in Vienna. P - GER 110, GER 112, or GER 113.
GER 153. Intermediate German. (4 h)
Review of basic grammar; reading of selected prose and poetry. P-GER 110, GER 112 or GER 113.
GER 208. Introduction to German Short Fiction. (3 h)
Lecture and discussion in German. Offered only in Jena, Germany. P-GER 150 or 153 or equivalent.
GER 210. Encounters with the German-Speaking World. (3 h)
Formative events and figures of German-speaking cultures and the literary and political texts that define their identity. P-GER 150 or 153.
GER 212. Introduction to German Short Fiction. (3 h)
Introduction to short works of German literature. P-GER 150 or 153 or equivalent.
GER 214. Masterpieces of Austrian Literature. (3 h)
Study of masterpieces of Austrian literature of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Lecture and discussion in German. Offered only at the Flow House in Vienna P-GER 150 or 153 or equivalent.
GER 317. Composition and Grammar Review. (3 h)
Review of the fundamentals of German grammar with intensive practice in translation and composition. Required for majors and minors. Offered in fall. P-200-level course or POI.
GER 318. German Conversation. (3 h)
Vocabulary for everyday situations, fluency and pronunciation, discussion of various topics from easy to advanced, listening exercises, free speaking, oral presentations. P-200-level course or POI.
GER 319. Advanced Writing and Stylistics. (3 h)
Emphasis on improving and expanding writing skills and vocabulary acquisition. Introduction to writing in different genres and contexts, such as blogs, reports, summaries, opinion pieces, short stories, memoirs, emails, newspaper articles, and fairy tales. Includes a creative writing component, relevant grammar topics, and readings in Young Adult Literature. P-200-level course or POI.
GER 320. German Culture and Civilization I. (3 h)
Survey of German culture and civilization from prehistoric times to 1848. Conducted in German. P-200-level course or POI. (CD)
GER 321. German Culture and Civilization II. (3 h)
Survey of German culture and civilization from 1848 to the present, with emphasis on contemporary Germany. Conducted in German. P - 200-level course or POI. (CD)
GER 322. Internship in German Language. (0.5-3 h)
May be repeated for a total of 6 hours, only 3 of which may count towards the major or minor. Pass/Fail only. P- GER 317 or POI.
GER 329. German for Professional Purposes I. (3 h)
Emphasis on social market economy, writing resumes, the European Union, job ads and job interviews, current topics in German business, oral proficiency, business correspondence, grammar review, business etiquette, banking, and financing. P-GER 317 or POI.
GER 330. German for Professional Purposes II. (3 h)
Prepares students for the internationally acknowledged exam Wirtschaftsdeutsch als Fremdsprache, which is offered at the end of the semester. Other topics include: writing a business plan, the structure of German companies, current topics in German business, oral proficiency, business correspondence, and business theory. P-GER 329 or POI.
GER 350. German-Jewish Literature and Culture. (3 h)
An examination of the German literary representation of Jews and Judaism in the last two centuries. Through text by both Jewish and non-Jewish authors, the course explores the nationalistic, economic, and racial motivations behind anti-Semitism, as well as Jewish self-awareness within the German-speaking culture. topics to be covered include the Enlightenment, 19th-century nationalism, and Holocaust. The course culminates with works by recent German-Jewish authors. P-200-level course or POI.
GER 370. Individual Study. (1-3 h)
Readings on selected topics in literature or current events not ordinarily covered in other courses. May be repeated once for major/minor elective credit. P - 200-level course and POI.
GER 380. German Literature before 1700. (3 h)
Survey of German literature of the Middle Ages, Reformation, and Baroque eras; emphasizes the chivalric period, Martin Luther, and the Baroque period. Offered in fall. P-200-level course or POI.
GER 381. German Literature from 1700-1815. (3 h)
Selected works from the Enlightenment, the Storm and Stress period, the poetry and major dramas of Goethe and Schiller, and German Romanticism. Offered in fall. P - 200-level course or POI.
GER 383. German Literature from 1815-1900. (3 h)
Study of selected works from the Realist period and subsequent Naturalist movement, with attention to their historical and social contexts. Offered in fall. P-200-level or POI.
GER 385. German Literature from 1900 to Present. (3 h)
Intensive study of representative works of major German, Austrian, and Swiss authors of the 20th and 21st centuries. Offered in fall. P - 200-level course or POI. (CD)
GER 387. Honors in German. (2.5 h)
Conference course in German literature or culture. A major research paper is required. Designed for candidates for departmental honors.
GER 388. Honors in German. (2.5 h)
Conference course in German literature or culture. A major research paper is required. Designed for candidates for departmental honors.
GER 399. Seminar in the Major. (3 h)
Intensive examination of a selected genre or special topic to be determined by the instructor. Intensive practice in critical discourse, including discussion and an oral presentation in German. Introduction to literary scholarship and research methodology leading to a major research paper. Required for all majors. May be repeated. Offered in spring. P-GER 350, 380, 381, 383, 385 or POI.
German Studies (GES)
All GES courses are taught in English
In addition to the courses listed under the German major, the German Studies major also offers the following courses. No courses completed elsewhere may satisfy Division II credit.
GES 100. German Pre-Orientation Tour. (1 h)
Pass/Fail only.
GES 315. Germanic and Slavic Literature. (3 h)
Examines selected works of Germanic and Slavic fiction in English translation. Literary periods, genres, and authors vary according to the instructor. It can also be offered in summer. (D)
GES 335. German Film. (3 h)
Survey of German cinema from the silent era to the present. Topics vary according to the instructor.
GES 336. Special Topics in German Film. (3 h)
Examination of a topic, movement, or director (to be determined by instructor).
GES 337. National Identity Formation. (3 h)
Explores the philosophical, social, religious, and political background of Germany and Austria in the context of the rise of nationalism. Focuses on issues of structural inequalities and systems of power with discussions on the role of anti-semitism. Literary periods, genres, and authors vary according to the instructor. (D)
GES 340. German Masterworks in Translation. (3 h)
Examines selected works of German, Austrian, and Swiss fiction in English translation. Literary periods, genres, and authors vary according to instructor. (D)
GES 341. Austrian Literature in Translation. (3 h)
Examines the literature of Austria from the decline of the Habsburg Empire to the present day. Among other topics, this course focuses on issues of structural inequalities and systems of power. Intended for current and/or prospective German majors or minors. (D)
GES 345. History of the German Language. (3 h)
Survey of the development of the German language from prehistoric times to modern day German with a focus on linguistic changes. No prior knowledge of linguistics necessary, but it requires reading knowledge in German.
GES 350. Fin de Siècle Vienna. (3 h)
Survey of major developments in Viennese art, music, literature, and society from roughly 1889 to 1918. Important figures to be discussed are Mahler, Schoenbert, Klimt, Schiele, Schnitzler, Musil, Freund, and Herzl. Offered only at the Flow House in Vienna. (D)
GES 351. German-Jewish Literature and Culture. (3 h)
Explores the history of relations, cross-cultural influences, and prejudices between German Jews and Christians in literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Texts and discussions will also draw attention to pertinent conemporary issues, such as various forms of intolerance and the complexity and malleability of religious identity. (D)
GES 390. German Women Writers. (3 h)
Examination of selected works by women authors. Discussion includes factors such as sexuality, gender, or gender identity. Literary periods, genres, and authors vary according to instructor. (D)
GES 391. Margins and Minorities. (3 h)
Examines literature of the German-speaking world. The course focuses on literature of marginalized people in German-speaking environments and outside of the global North. Discussion includes but is not limited to structural inequalities and systems of power. P - 200 level course or equivalent. (D)
GES 393. Luther. (3 h)
Examines the social, political, and religious background of Germany on the eve of the Reformation. Traces the formative events of Luther’s life as a foundational figure responsible for giving rise to misogynistic and anti-semitic rhetoric. (D)
GES 394. Germanic Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. (3 h)
Study of Germanic myths, legends and fairy tales since the Middle Ages and their role in the formation of German national identity. (D)
GES 395. Special Topics in German Studies. (3 h)
Individual topics vary by instructor. (D)
GES 396. The German Novel. (3 h)
Introduction to novels in the German-speaking world. The course focuses on how power, place, and privilege shape systems of knowledge and value. Discussions include how cultural productions can resist systems of injustice. Literary periods, genres, and authors vary according to the instructor. (D)
GES 397. German Classical Period. (3 h)
Examines the philosophical, political and literary works that gave rise to German classicism with Weimar as locus. The course includes criticism of intellectual traditions that reify systemic racism and sexism. (D)
Russian (RUS)
RUS 111. Elementary Russian I. (4 h)
The essentials of Russian grammar, conversation, drill, and reading of elementary texts.
RUS 112. Elementary Russian II. (4 h)
The essentials of Russian grammar, conversation, drill, and reading of elementary texts. P-RUS 111 or equivalent.
RUS 153. Intermediate Russian. (4 h)
Principles of Russian grammar are reviewed and expanded upon; reading of short prose pieces and materials from the Russian press. P-RUS 112 or equivalent.
RUS 210. Russians and Their World. (3 h)
Introduction to Russian culture and society, with topics ranging from history, religion, art and literature to contemporary Russian popular music, TV and film. Taught in Russian. P-RUS 153 or equivalent.
RUS 212. Introduction to Russian Literature. (3 h)
Reading of selected short stories and excerpts from longer works by Russian authors from the 19th century to the present. P-RUS 153 or equivalent.
RUS 317. Seminar in Russian Literature. (3 h)
In-depth reading and discussion of shorter works of poetry and prose by the foremost Russian authors from the 19th century to the present. P-RUS 212 or 210.
RUS 321. Conversation and Composition. (3 h)
Intensive practice in composition and conversation based on contemporary Russian materials. P - RUS 210 or 212.
RUS 328. Advanced Grammar. (3 h)
Mastery of Russian declension and conjugation, with special attention to the correct use of reference materials. Syntax of complex and problematic sentences. P-RUS 321.
RUS 330. Structure of Russian. (3 h)
The linguistic tools of phonetics, phonemics, and morphophonemics are explained and applied to modern Russian. Emphasis on the study of roots and word formation. P-POI.
RUS 332. The History of Russian Language. (3 h)
The evolution of Russian from Common Slavic to the modern language; theory of linguistic reconstruction and the Indo-European family; readings from selected Old East Slavic texts. P-RUS 321 and POI.
RUS 335. Russian Culture and Civilization. (3 h)
Survey of Russian culture and civilization with emphasis on contemporary events, politics, and music and art. Conducted in Russian. Offered spring. P-RUS 321 or POI.
RUS 340. Seminar in Translation. (3 h)
Advanced work in English-to-Russian and Russian-to-English translation. P-RUS 321 and POI.
RUS 341. Russian Literature in Translation. (3 h)
Reading and discussion of selected works from Russian literature in English translation by such writers as Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and Solzhenitsyn. (D)
RUS 345. Special Topics in Russian. (3 h)
P-RUS 321, and Permission of Instructor.
RUS 354. Language of the Russian Press and Mass Media. (3 h)
Readings from Russian newspapers, magazines and the Internet, as well as exposure to Russian television and radio broadcasts. Emphasis is on improving reading and listening skills and vocabulary acquisition. P-RUS 212 or 210 or POI.
RUS 370. Individual Study. (1.5-3 h)
Study in language or literature beyond the RUS 210-212 level. May be repeated for credit. P-RUS 212 or 210.
RUS 387. Honors in Russian. (2.5 h)
Conference course in Russian literature or culture. A major research paper is required. Designed for candidates for departmental honors.
RUS 388. Honors in Russian. (2.5 h)
Conference course in Russian literature or culture. A major research paper is required. Designed for candidates for departmental honors.
Chair Tina M. Boyer
Professors Rebecca S. Thomas (German, Flow House Vienna, Austria)
Associate Professors Alyssa Howards (German, Post-Graduate Fellowships), Grant P. McAllister (German, Study Abroad), Tina M. Boyer (German, Medieval Studies, Self-Instructional Languages)
Assistant Professor Elena Pedigo Clark (Russian Language and Literature), Kit Pribble (Russian Language and Literature)
Associate Teaching Professor Mary (Molly) Knight (German, Contemporary German Literature)
Instructors Günter Haika (Resident German Language Instructor and House Manager for Flow House Vienna, Austria), Martina Kritinar (Resident German Language Instructor for Flow House Vienna, Austria), Ulrike Anton (Resident Music Instructor of Flow House Vienna, Austria), Martin Schwarz (Resident Economics Instructor for Flow House Vienna, Austria), Stefan Wedrac (Resident History Language Instructor for Flow House Vienna, Austria)
Visiting Assistant Professor Christoph Schmitz (Business German)
