German

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, excursions are planned to introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics on an academic level and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the A1 level according to the CEFR, students learn basic vocabulary and grammatical structures as well as corresponding competencies in university-specific situations. The class takes intercultural and methodological aspects of foreign language learning into consideration, and students are introduced to German culture and society.

The course analyzes films which center on Berlin or which are set in Berlin. Students consider the changes seen in cityscape and everyday life over the last 100 years, but also the city’s social and political transformation. The films are also analyzed for their portrayal of the most important stages of German history. The course begins with studying films from the Weimar Republic, through postwar films from East and West Germany, and to the present. Films discussed may include: “MENSCHEN AM SONNTAG” (1930), “BERLIN – ECKE SCHÖNHAUSER” (1959), “EINS, ZWEI DREI“ (1961), “REDUPERS” (1978), “LOLA RENNT” (1998), and “BERLIN CALLING” (2008).

This course teaches the concepts of the behavior, structure, problems, modeling, materials and the forms of failure of lightweight structures. Students analyze lightweight structures, understand designs, and predict behavior responses of certain structures. The course utilizes several examples relating to aircraft structures to teach the concepts.

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the intermediate level of German and who have a sound knowledge of German. This course is intensive and is intended for dedicated, highly self-motivated students who will take responsibility for their learning. The course deepens students competence in speaking and writing and to expands and refines their vocabulary usage. Through this course students are able to express and discuss ideas, opinions and information at the academic level. Special attention is given to the consistent use of self-correction. Furthermore, the course helps students to develop effective reading and listening strategies and deepen their knowledge of grammar structures. In addition, students analyze and interpret cultural, political, and historical topics in German-speaking countries and compare them with their own cultural background. Students develop and regularly use new strategies for language acquisition and improve their ability to choose the right linguistic register for different situations, topics and communication partners. At the completion of the course students are able to lead and participate in academic discussions about certain course-related topics. In addition, students expand and refine their essay writing skills and are able to write, revise and proofread essays that meet the standards of academic writing.