Beginning course in German. Student acquires the basic structure of the language, communicative skills, a limited general vocabulary, correct pronunciation, and an ability to read and understand simple cultural texts.
5
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeProfessor Sturm,An excellent teacher,Author of 13 books, Expert on Satre, Chevalier of Legion of Honor (France). Attend his lectures, interact, use your brain, and you will be rewarded with his insights and one of the most original thinkers on French Literature, especially Post Modernism. Not an especially difficult class but you'll have to think.
He's a great professor, just sit in the front of the class, takes notes, pay attention and regurgitate what he says. Major brain on this guy, has written a ton of books and lives part of the year in France. Kind of a wild card, I would say.
Lectures boring, feel asleep a few times. Golden tip: you dont have to read any of the books if you go to lecture. Just make sure you write down what he says about the books and then put that in the essay. Overall a pretty easy class.
This class was an absolute joke. He doesn't even tell you how long your final essay is supposed to be, but, it's worth 100% of your grade. He said "not too long, not too short." HA! The class is called "negative thinking." Now I know why! There is no grading system for this course. The reader does ALL of the grading, but NEVER went to lecture.?????
I agree with the previous comments about the philosophical nature of Prof. Sturm's classes. He goes over biographical info and abstract stuff more than he goes over the actual texts. Class is a bit boring, but it's worth it to show up cause you'll have a better idea of what'll be on the exams. However, very arbitrary grading system.
Prof. Sturm seems to really know a lot about these authors and a lot in general, but this is not a French course, it should be taught through the philosophy department. with no prior philosophical analysis, I had a difficult time interpreting these books in a unique way. but sturms explanations were very helpful.