German Opens Doors
Germany always has evoked romantic visions of castles, classical music and high-quality cars. Who hasn’t heard of Neuschwanstein, Beethoven and Mercedes-Benz? But what about German for today’s students? The study of foreign languages, literatures and cultures broadens horizons and fosters critical thinking. Those skills are particularly important in a world of technological revolution.
Foreign languages, literature, linguistics and philosophy all are part of Ripon’s German curriculum; therefore, students gain broad perspective and skills. As the world’s third largest economy, the study of German has very practical benefits, as well.
Classes are kept small (fewer than 15 students) to allow maximum interaction. There is always a native speaker from the University of Bonn, as well as guest lecturers. The faculty are accessible to students at a level not seen at larger schools, and they are constantly searching for new and innovative books and methods to enhance learning and engage students. First- and second-year courses culminate in skits written and performed by students. Third-year Conversation and Composition students select their best writing from the semester to produce a German newspaper, "Ripon Morgenpost." German Theater Workshop students stage German plays on campus, including Bertolt Brecht’s "Die Dreigroschenoper." Maymester affords a number of students an immersion experience in Germany.
The Ripon College German Department employs language assistants who are native speakers to enhance the program. The language assistants share views from their cultural perspective and provide students an opportunity to utilize their foreign language skills in and out of the classroom. Some of the venues for this interaction are conversation tables in the dining hall, a weekly Kaffeestunde, Filmabende, theatrical productions and conversation sessions for groups of all proficiencies.
The 2007-08 Language Assistant is Lisa Retterath.
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