Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Cultural History of Germany (Face-to-Face)

GERM 3510-02

Course: GERM 3510-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Languages and Philosophy
CRN: 33776

Course Description

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the introductory and intermediate language sequence (or the equivalent) and wish to continue their study of German language and culture. Using the theme of geography and primordial nature as our primary starting point, we will explore some of the core concepts of “German-ness,” i.e. what it means to be German, from both an insider’s and an outsider’s perspective. What did the Romans think of the German tribes, and how did their understanding influence how Germanic peoples have understood themselves? This course examines German (and Austrian, Swiss) language, literature, film, culture, and history. In doing so, we will learn to discuss some of the major social and political issues that have occupied Germanophone culture since at various moments in German history. We will explore the das Mittelalter, die Klassik, die Romantik, die Vereinigung Deutschlands, & dic Moderne. Class discussion will be held in German. 
German 3150 presents an overview of the cultural and political developments in Germany from the earliest times to the present. It emphasizes Germany’s intellectual, philosophical, artistic, musical, and literary history. This class may be repeated once for credit in a Study Abroad context. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): GERM 2020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- 

Required Texts

Required texts will be provided by the instructor via Canvas. 

Learning Outcomes

Course Goals:
Course participants will: 
  1. acquire a nuanced vocabulary for discussing geography, the environment, and other eco-issues in Germanophone culture.
  2. learn to discuss and analyze written and filmic texts in German.
  3. continue their acquisition and increase their command of the German language through a variety of reading, speaking, listening, and writing activities. 
  4. gain confidence in reading authentic German-language texts as they begin to recognize and comprehend more complex discursive structures in written German. 
  5. begin to develop historical awareness of the role of German thinkers & scientists and their impact on contemporary world culture and thinking.  

Student Learning Outcomes: 
Communication: The successful student will continue to develop fluency in the four primary communicative skills in second language acquisition (reading, writing, speaking & listening) and will be able to express ideas in written and spoken German appropriate to the 3,000-level. 
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: The successful student will demonstrate that (s)he possesses cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of German-language cultural and social contexts.
(Learning outcomes will be evaluated through in-class activities, the midterm examination, written and oral projects, and the final project). 

Course Requirements

Course Requirements and Grading:

Participation/aktive Teilnahme - 20%
Homework/schriftliche Aufgaben - 20%
Recordings /Aufnahmen - 10%
Journal Entries /Tagebücher  - 10% 
Midterm exam/ Zwischenprüfung - 15%
In-class presentation /Referat - 10%
Final project/Schlussprojekt - 15%                             
= 100%

Course Outline

Aktive Teilnahme (Attendance and Participation):
A major factor in the steady progress of acquiring proficiency in a foreign language is sustained practice. It is therefore imperative that you attend every class and complete all reading and written assignments. Your participation in the class means that you arrive on time, are prepared for the day’s work, and contribute to a positive learning environment by your active participation. 

Schriftliche Aufgaben (Readings and Study Questions/Homework): 
All assigned texts and study questions/daily homework assignments for this course will be available on Canvas. You should anticipate spending up to five hours of work outside of class. This time includes reading the assigned text for a given class session, composing answers to study questions (worksheets on Canvas) and preparing questions and observations (in German) for class discussion. In order to help consolidate the information we are obtaining, there will be occasional vocabulary, grammar & content quizzes. 

Tagebücher (Journal Entries):
In addition, you will be asked to compose regular diary/journal entries throughout the semester. Tagebuch entries are meant to be informal, handwritten, and semi-private reflections (some related to the course’s environmental theme). The weekly plans (Wochenpläne) will establish for specific dates for turning in Tagebuch entries. Grading of the Tagebücher will generally be based on completing the exercise on time and with the correct length; grammar will generally not be taken into account in grading UNLESS the text overall is unclear. More information about the Tagebücher will be distributed in the second week of the semester.

Referate (In-Class Presentations):
Throughout the semester, I will ask students to prepare and deliver 2 short (approx. 8-10 mins.) presentations in German related to the course’s theme. More information on this assignment will be available later in the semester.

Zwischenprüfung (Midterm Exam):
The midterm examination will be an in-class exam based on the material covered up to that point in the semester. 

Schlussprojekt (Final Projekt):
The final project provides students an opportunity to engage with the material and themes of the semester in a creative and analytical manner. Like a final exam, it is cumulative, but unlike a regular written final, it allows you flexibility and creativity as you construct your project. Examples of final projects include, but are not limited to, annotated translations from German into English, the composition of your own German-language poetry or short story, and many other possibilities.  

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will only be accepted if permission is sought prior to the deadline. Quizzes and exams must be taken within the time frame set out by the instructor.

Attendance Policy

A major factor in the steady progress of acquiring proficiency in a foreign language is sustained practice. It is therefore imperative that you attend every class and complete all reading and written assignments. Your participation in the class means that you arrive on time, are prepared for the day’s work, and contribute to a positive learning environment by your active participation. 


Course Fees

$16

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.