Course Descriptions

GETR 150 - (3) (IR)
Goethe in Translation
Study of the life and works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Poetry, prose, some plays, and a careful reading of his masterpiece, Faust.

GETR 170 - (3) (IR)
First Year Seminar
A seminar on some aspect of German culture.

GETR 233, 234 - (3) (IR)
German Culture
Study of the development of German civilization, from earliest time to present.

GETR 340 - (3) (O) German Intellectual History From Leibniz to Hegel
Reading and discussion of central theoretical texts in the German tradition 1700-1810, including works by Leibniz, Herder, Lessing, Kant, Schiller, Fichte and Hegel.

GETR 341 - (3) (IR)
Nietzsche and Modern Literature
Reading and thorough discussion of the major works of Nietzsche, in English translation, from the Birth of Tragedy to Twilight of the Idols. Special attention to the impact of Nietzsche on 20th-century literature and thought in such diverse authors as Shaw, Rilke, Thomas Mann, and Kafka. A term paper submitted in two stages and a final examination.

GETR 342 - (3) (IR)
German Intellectual History From Nietzsche to the Present
Readings in philosophical and social history of Germany from the late 19th century to the present.

GETR 343 - (3) (IR)
Existential Quest in the Continental Novel
Topics include "authenticity," "self," and their relationship to narrative form in Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Rilke, Musil, Kafka, Sartre, Camus, Frisch, and Beckett.

GETR 344 - (3) (IR)
Problems of Identity in Modern German Literature
All classes and reading in English. An exploration of the themes of self-realization and identity crisis in 20th-century German literature. Readings include works by Hesse, Kafka, Mann, Brecht, Boell, and Canetti. Classes consist of informal lectures and discussion; videos of several works read.

GETR 345 - (3) (IR)
Children's Literature
Study of the nature and aims of children's literature, primarily European and American, from the 17th century on.

GETR 346 - (3) (IR)
Topics in German Literature (in Translation)
Examination of such myths as Faust and Tristan, along with the parody of them in Modernism.

GETR 347 - (3) (O) Literature of the Holocaust
Introduction to the most significant texts of Holocaust literature as well as a survey of important philosophical and historical reflections on the meaning of the Holocaust.

GETR 348 - (3) (IR)
German Literature in Translation
Outstanding works of German literature read and discussed in English.

GETR 349 - (3) (IR)
Ibsen
Discussion of Ibsen's major plays, in English translation. No knowledge of a Scandinavian language is needed; does not fulfill the language requirement.

GETR 350 - (3) (E)
German Cinema
Analysis of the aesthetics and semiotics of film, with a focus on German Expressionism and New German Cinema.

GETR 370 - (3) (IR)
Feminism and Socialism
Study of feminism in socialist ideology and practice. Focuses on the status of women and feminist literature in the former German Democratic Republic and the former Soviet Union.

GETR 393 - (3) (Y)
Nazi Germany
A detailed survey of Hitler's life, and its political, social, and cultural consequences. Documentary videos are included. Taught in English.

Courses Given in German

GERM 101, 102 - (4) (S)
Elementary German
Introduction to the essentials of German structure and syntax; emphasizes oral and written proficiency in German. Five class sessions. Language laboratory required. Followed by GERM 201, 202.

GERM 101R, 102R - (4) (S)
Intensive Elementary German
An introductory language course emphasizing the reading skill, not a traditional reading course. Original German texts are used for practice of all skills. Counts toward fulfillment of the language requirement. Followed by GERM 201, 202.

GERM 101G, 102G - (3) (SS)
Reading Course in German
For Graduate of Arts and Sciences students who want a reading knowledge of German for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Open to undergraduates, but does not count toward fulfillment of the language requirement.

GERM 190, 290 - (7) (S)
Intensive German
Prerequisite: Approval of the department
An intensive, accelerated language course that covers two years of German in one year. Essentials of German structure and syntax; emphasizes comprehension of spoken and written German, speaking and writing.

GERM 201, 202 - (3) (S)
Intermediate German
Prerequisites: GERM 101, 102 or equivalent
Readings in German prose and poetry. Review of German structure and syntax. Language laboratory required.

GERM 209 - (3) (IR)
Intermediate Conversation
Prerequisite: GERM 202
Practice in speaking German. Grammar review as needed. Not for major credit.

GERM 210 - (3) (IR)
Intermediate Readings
Prerequisite: GERM 202
Study of various types of German prose. Grammar review as needed. Not for major credit.

GERM 300 - (3) (S)
Intensive Grammar
Prerequisite: GERM 202 or equivalent
Systematic review of German grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. May be taken concurrently with GERM 202H.

GERM 301 - (3) (S)
Introduction to Literature
Prerequisite: GERM 300 or permission of instructor
Analysis of major literary works for a better understanding of literature in general.

GERM 311 - (3) (O) Survey of Literature II
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Study of German literature from 1890 to the present.

GERM 312 - (3) (E)
Survey of Literature I
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Study of German literature from 1750 to 1890.

GERM 321 - (3) (IR)
Advanced Intensive Grammar
Prerequisite: GERM 300
Refinement of German grammar, for total mastery.

GERM 322 - (1-3) (Y)
German Drama: Stage Production
Prerequisites: GERM 202 or comparable language proficiency
Interpretation and staging of a representative play in German with students as actors and producers. May be taken more than once for credit, but only once for major credit.

GERM 323 - (3) (Y)
Composition and Conversation
Prerequisite: GERM 300
Practice in writing and speaking German.

GERM 324 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Composition and Conversation
Prerequisite: GERM 323
Further practice in writing and speaking German.

GERM 325 - (3) (IR)
Commercial German I
Prerequisite: GERM 323
Introduction to the specialized language of the business world and to German business practices.

GERM 326 - (3) (IR)
Commercial German II
Prerequisite: GERM 325
Continuation of GERM 325.

GERM 329 - (1) (Y)
Conversation
May be taken more than once for credit, but only once for major credit.

GERM 330 - (1) (Y)
Conversation
May be taken more than once for credit, but only once for major credit.

GERM 331 - (3) (IR)
Topics in German Culture
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or GERM 323
Study of selected aspects of German culture, such as opera. May be repeated for credit.

GERM 334 - (3) (IR)
German and Austrian Culture, ca. 1900
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or GERM 323
Study of literature, the arts, politics, and social developments between 1870 and 1918.

GERM 335 - (3) (IR)
Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or GERM 323
Study of German life between 1918 and 1945.

GERM 336 - (3) (IR)
Postwar German Culture
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or GERM 323
Readings in the cultural, social, and political histories of the German-speaking countries since 1945.

GERM 351 - (3) (IR)
Lyric Poetry
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Survey of major forms and themes in German lyric poetry.

GERM 352 - (3) (IR)
Novelle
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Analysis and discussion of representative German novelle from Kleist to the present.

GERM 353 - (3) (IR)
Drama
Prerequisite: GERM 301
An investigation of dramatic theory and practice, emphasizing major German authors and movements.

GERM 355 - (3) (IR)
Classicism
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Study of major works by Goethe and Schiller and other authors who shared their classical values.

GERM 356 - (3) (IR)
Romanticism
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Analysis of German literature from 1800 to 1830 and its influence.

GERM 357 - (3) (IR)
Modernism
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Study of major German authors from 1890 to 1945.

GERM 358 - (3) (IR)
Postwar Literature
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Study of representative German authors since 1945.

GERM 361 - (3) (IR)
Topics in German Literature
Prerequisite: GERM 301
Seminar in German literature. May be repeated for credit.

GERM 370 - (3) (IR)
Bertolt Brecht
A study of Brecht's life and works, including plays, poems, and theoretical writings.

GERM 420 - (3) (IR)
Advanced Translation
Prerequisite: GERM 300
Focuses on the skills and techniques of literary translation—both English to German and German to English. Working from extended texts, the course develops both accuracy and stylistic competence in the art of translating from one language to another. Emphasizes translation as a distinct creative endeavor.

GERM 450 - (3) (Y)
Stylistics
Prerequisite: GERM 324
Refinement of German prose style.

GERM 460 - (3) (Y)
Fourth-Year Seminar
Prerequisites: GERM 301 and other literature courses
Literary analysis for advanced students.

GERM 470 - (1-3) (S)
Independent Study
Prerequisite: Approval by a supervising faculty member

GERM 490 - (3) (S)
Honors Thesis
Prerequisite: Admission to the DMP, permission of undergraduate advisor and a supervising faculty member
Directed research for, and composition of, an extended essay.

GERM 491 - (6) (S)
Honors Research and Thesis
Prerequisite: Admission to the DMP, permission of undergraduate advisor and a supervising faculty member.

GERM 500 - (3) (IR)
Critical Writing and Bibliography
Supervised practice in the organization and writing of articles for scholarly journals. Includes introduction to bibliography.

GERM 505 - (3) (IR)
Special Topics
Major figures, genres, or literary problems as the focus for an intensive course within any literary period.

GERM 510 - (3) (IR)
Middle High German
Introduction to Middle High German grammar. Selected readings in Middle High German literature.

GERM 512 - (3) (IR)
Medieval German Lyric Poetry
Reading of selections from the Minnesang, in the context of the development of Middle High German poetry. Knowledge of Middle High German required.

GERM 514 - (3) (IR)
Arthurian Romance
Prerequisite: knowledge of Middle High German
Theory and analysis of the chief German Arthurian romances: Erec, Parzival, Iwain, and Tristan.

GERM 521 - (3) (IR)
Reformation to Baroque, 1700
Study of German literature from 1500 to 1680.

GERM 523 - (3) (IR)
Weise to Wieland
German literature from 1680 to 1750.

GERM 525 - (3) (IR)
Age of Goethe I
Study of German Storm and Stress and Classicism, focusing on Goethe and Schiller.

GERM 526 - (3) (IR)
Age of Goethe II
Study of Weimar classicism.

GERM 530 - (3) (IR)
Romanticism
Study of German literature and intellectual history from 1795 to 1830.

GERM 537 - (3) (IR)
Nineteenth Century
Study of major writers and works from 1830 to 1890, including Grillparzer, Stifter, Heine, Hebbel, Keller, Storm, Fontane.

GERM 547 - (3) (IR)
Turn of the Century
Discussion of the major literary movements at the turn of the century with analysis of representative works by Hofmannsthal, Schnitzler, George, Rilke, Thomas Mann, Musil, Kafka, and others.

GERM 548 - (3) (IR)
Twentieth Century
An introduction to the main currents of German literature since 1920, with special emphasis on major authors and traditions.

GERM 550 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Lyric Poetry
An investigation of the theory and practice of lyric poetry in Germany, with an emphasis on major authors and traditions.

GERM 551 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Prose Fiction
A study of representative works of fiction—either novels or shorter forms--with special attention to formal and thematic developments, and representative theories of fiction.

GERM 552 - (3) (IR)
Studies in Drama
An investigation of dramatic theory and practice in Germany, emphasizing major authors and traditions.

GERM 584 - (3) (IR)
Introduction to Literary Theory
An examination of current theories of literature, including Marxist, psychoanalytic, formalist, structuralist, and hermeneutic approaches.

GERM 588 - (3) (IR)
Linguistic Approaches to Literature
Aspects of literary style investigated in the light of modern linguistics.

Scandinavian

SCAN 350 - (3) (Y)
Ibsen
Discussion of Ibsen's major plays, in English translation. No knowledge of a Scandinavian language is needed; does not fulfill the language requirement.

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