German Language & Culture

Summer Program

AiB German Language & Culture

Term: Summer
In Cooperation with: Several Partner Universities (Lafayette College, Texas A&M University & University of North Carolina at Wilmington) & Institute for Education and Social Innovation (ibugi)
The Deutsche Sprache & Kultur program is an interdisciplinary six-week summer program directed at students of German Studies, History, International Studies and anyone who is interested in the German language. It gives students the opportunity to earn credits for two full German language classes. During their time in Bonn, students do not only learn German, but also partake in several regional and cultural studies classes, taught both theoretically in class and practically on field trips and excursions. In everyday intensive lessons, students will not only learn the German language but also about cultural backgrounds, politics, history, and intercultural communication.
In connection with the summer program, AIB offers the possibility to apply for an internship after the language program (requires intermediate level of German) for another four weeks.
AiB Contact: Florian Königs (Senior Academic Manager) – fk@aib-bonn.org

More information

Courses: 

GERM 101 – Elementary German I (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
German 101/102 is a first semester German course with no entrance requirement. Our textbook, “Auf geht’s!”, puts equal emphasis on language and culture to help studentes successfully navigate today’s global societies and economies.  
 
GERM 102 – Elementary German II (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
German 101/102 is a first semester German course with no entrance requirement. Our textbook, “Auf geht’s!,” puts equal emphasis on language and culture to help you successfully navigate today’s global societies and economies.  
 
GERM 221 (or GERM 201) – Intermediate German I (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
The goal of this course is to build on and improve students’ language skills to a competency level which facilitates study in Germany (CEFR Level B1/B2). By the end of the program, students should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible, produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.  
 
GERM 222 (or GERM 202) – Intermediate German II  (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
The goal of this course is to build on and improve students’ language skills to a competency level which facilitates study in Germany (CEFR Level B1/B2). By the end of the semester, students should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics; interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible; produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects; and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.  
 
GERM 201/202 – German Culture and Civilization: Eine Reise durch die Deutsche Kulturgeschichte von 750 bis 1750 (6 credits) – taught by Lafayette College faculty
German 201/202 focuses on the cultural history of the German-speaking people and the development of Central Europe. In this seminar, students will deal with dimensions of identity and difference that include inquiries into questions of domination and hegemony as well as confrontation and resistance in the secular and the religious domains of society. The course’s goal is to demonstrate the importance of cultural production for social change.  
 
GERM 321/322 – German Culture and Civilization: from the Teutonic Tribes to the German Nation and the Great War (6 credits) – taught by Texas A&M faculty
The objective of this course is to use the rich history of the Rhineland to bring alive “German” cultural traditions from the Romans through the Holy Roman Empire to the Classical revival in the early 19th century and the founding of the modern German nation. By visiting the major Roman Empire capital in Trier, Charlemagne’s seat of government/cathedral/grave in Aachen, the Gothic cathedral in Cologne, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and much more, the history of Germany up to the 20th century will take on far greater significance than it possibly could in a college classroom in the U.S. 

 

Academic Extended Study Tours:

6 days Eisenach, Weimar, Erfurt, Dresden, Berlin

 

Academic Regional Study Tours: 

Cologne
Middle Rhine Valley
Trier
Mainz
Frankfurt

 

Cultural & Social Activities:  

Intercultural Workshops, AIB Charity Day and Bonn Marathon in the spring, visits of historically important sites and museums, castles and cathedrals

 

Accommodation:

Host family, Hotel/Hostel (during Academic Extended Study Tours)

Summer Program

AiB & AATG German Language & Cultural Studies

Term: Summer
In Cooperation with: The American Association of Teachers of German
The Deutsche Sprache & Kultur program is an interdisciplinary four-week summer program directed at students of German Studies, History, International Studies and anyone who is interested in the German language. It gives students the opportunity to earn credits for one German language class (beginner, intermediate or advanced) as well as one cultural studies class. The GLCS program offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the German culture, while improving their existing language skills and expanding their knowledge about German history and the “German way of life.” During your time in Bonn, you not only learn German in the classroom, but participate in intercultural workshops and learn about German culture on field trips and local outings. Course credit is awarded by the ibugi institute at Alanus University Bonn, a fully state-accredited university for arts and social sciences with Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs recognized by the Ministry of Education of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. You will receive an official transcript of records from ibugi and Alanus University that meets US guidelines for transfer credits. The program further includes intercultural workshops and information sessions on studying and working/interning in Germany.
AiB Contact: Charlotte Korff (Senior Academic Manager) – ck@aib-bonn.org

More information

Courses: 

GL 101/102 Elementary German (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
Elementary language study with oral, written, and reading practice. Preparation for conversation. If needed, the course may be split into sections depending on students’ level of German.
 
GL 201/202: Intermediate German (3 credits) – taught by AiB faculty
Readings of average difficulty. Review of grammar; practice in conversation and composition. If needed, the course may be split into sections depending on students’ level of German.
 
GCH 101: German Culture and History (3 credits) – taught in English by accompanying AATG 221 faculty
Introduction to German Culture and History; includes intercultural components. Academic study trips will be incorporated into the classroom schedule. 

 

Academic Regional Study Tours: 

Cologne
Middle Rhine Valley
Trier
Brühl

 

Cultural & Social Activities:  

Visits of historically important sites and museums, castles and cathedrals.
Information sessions on studying and working/interning in Germany.

 

Accommodation:

Host family