<p>While German would be fun to learn, I could take a language that I already had in high school so maybe I would know it better (but then again, course rank has reported that it is harder than German to get a good grade) or I can take the language that I want to take without any background in it (which also has a decreased grade curve). </p>
<p>Is German really worth taking for the grade? I’ve signed up for it now and it seems like it always gets filled up fast but there were spots open since I got an early Phase 1. Should I stick with it?</p>
<p>Actually, have I fulfilled the requirement if I took 3 years of language in hs? </p>
<p>Also can I skip a level 1 if I already have taken the same language before (so that it would count for international breadth)? It seems like u cant cover the breadth with an intro course.</p>
<p>The German literature classes get filled up, not the actual German language course. (correct me if I’m wrong)</p>
<p>Is German really that easy at Berkeley? I mean, isn’t their German department like #1 in the nation or something crazy like that?</p>
<p>This is just the German R5B course which is notoriously easy.</p>
<p>Should I wait till the fall to take it then? I’ve signed up for classes during the summer and am taking Film Studies. However, idk what else I would take if I didn’t take film studies…the breadths are pretty much completed (if you include fall classes) and so I’d have to take something random.</p>
<p>German, as a language, is fairly easy to pick up what I call ‘tourist’ German. The difficulty in the initial classes is actually rather surprising – German 1 is very easy. German 2 is actually a real killer, because its basically German 1 on speed, but you learn a lot. It eases up in 3 again, and then in 4 it becomes fairly epic. I took 4 during the summer though, so your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>The major itself is actually fairly difficult. You are expected to demonstrate a level of academic fluency, if not conversational. If you do decide to major in German, I highly recommend doing a study abroad in Germany. You actually can get higher grades more easily there than at Cal, and you will learn more. I went with German 1-4, a business German course, and a year of upper divs in lit and language under my belt. had a rough, but brief adjustment. Afterwards, it was pure awesome. Best year of my college career, and Germany is central to the rest of Europe, so hop on the plane or train and go go go during the breaks. </p>
<p>The more history oriented German classes are taught in English at Cal, and it’s actually to your detriment to not try studying abroad, because there is something almost metaphysical about learning the language and absorbing the culture. It’s also wise because there are philosophical and literary concepts in the German canon, which to say the least, do not have clear translations in English. </p>
<p>That being said: </p>
<p>I’d hardly call German R5A/B a ‘German’ course, as it is simply an introduction to the literature of that culture and its usually the funner stuff. Though, I’d highly recommend it over any Comp Lit with Moore. That woman… <em>shudder</em>. Thank your lucky stars if she is no longer there. IF you can get into the German or Scandinavian course to fufill the basic lit/engish requirement – by all means, do it.</p>
<p>Should I change my schedule to get it in the fall or spring instead of taking film in the summer?</p>
<p>Oh and I’m not majoring in it. I’m majoring in MCB.</p>
<p>Just to clear up any confusion that incoming students may have (not saying this pertains to the OP) - the Reading and Composition courses that are hosted by the various langauge departments (e.g. German R5A) are not taught in those languages. R&C has nothing to do with foreign languages. As others have mentioned, German R5A and R5B have quite a reputation as the easiest workload among the R&C courses and also delivering the highest percentage of A grades. This is why they are almost always filled immediately. </p>
<p>On the other hand, taking a language (not the R&C courses) involves learning to read, speak and understand that foreign language. An entirely different matter. Many have said these can be quite a time drain to take.</p>