GERM-173 Business in Germany

Faculty:

Ryshina-Pankova, Marianna

This course is a Level IV undergraduate course with a content focus on economic and business issues as related to today’s Germany. With all topics, emphasis is placed on cross-cultural comparisons between the U.S. and Germany. The content foci are explored through exposure to a variety of genres and a close analysis of discursive practices prevalent in formal, business-oriented German. Students are guided towards acquisition of advanced language abilities as they examine textual organization features and expand their repertoire of specific technical vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary for making meaning in a business domain.

Topics:

- Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland
To what degree is Germany an internationally competitive location for business and industry? What economic, political and cultural factors determine the potential attractiveness as a business location within Germany, within Europe, and globally?

Genre and project focus: journalistic article

- Stock Market (Börse)
What are the legal characteristics of publicly traded companies in Germany? What factors influence the stock market in Germany and internationally? Does investor behavior differ in Germany and the U.S.? What companies do the DAX and NEMAX include?

Genre and project focus: internet-based stock market report, tables and charts.

- Job Search
What are the special features of German job announcements, resumés, and letters of application? What implicit and explicit messages do these materials contain?

Genre and project focus: application documents and oral job interview.

-Marketing
Which economic, political, and cultural factors influence marketing decisions? How do German companies market their products abroad? How do international companies market their products to national audiences?

Genre and project focus: marketing textbook materials, journalistic article, marketing presentation.

Course Materials: Text package provided by instructor

Assessment

Projects 30%
Presentations (group/individual) 30%
Class participation/preparation/homework 30%
Reading journal 10%

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
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Spring '09: Pankova, Marianna (description, file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

Other academic years
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• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
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