German

German is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide. At Carleton we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that allows students to experience the richness of the German-speaking world.

After three terms of German at Carleton, students have the linguistic proficiency and cultural competence to read literature and newspapers and to live and study in a German-speaking country. They are encouraged to take part in our biennial program in Berlin or to pursue overseas study with other approved programs. To understand German-speakers we dive into German-language culture, including literary, philosophical, musical and artistic expressions right from the first course in the sequence. Students will gain the skills to engage with important writers, thinkers, creators, and discoverers in the original German.

The courses 101, 102, 103, and 204 (205 taught overseas in Berlin) are a sequential series of courses designed to provide the foundation for pursuing advanced work in language, literature and culture, while exposing students to examples of literary, philosophical, musical and artistic expression right from the start. German 210-219 offer students the opportunity to delve deeper into specific topics, ranging from current news, to genre studies, to themes such as migration, the body, or film. Admission to these courses without taking German 204 is determined either by appropriate AP or other placement test scores, or by successful completion of the previous course in the sequence. Courses beyond 103 have a number of goals: to refine and expand students' linguistic ability, to give students access to great works of literature and culture, to broaden their cultural understanding, to improve their ability to engage in critical analysis, and to help them better understand themselves and the human condition. In class discussions, attention is focused on universal themes and concerns within the broad context of German culture. Courses numbered 150-159 are survey courses in translation with no prerequisites. Other courses in translation are also offered, which open interdisciplinary ways of study.

Requirements for the German Major

66 credits, including the following:

12 credits of GERM 210-219
6 credits of GERM 150-159
6 credits of LCST 245 (best taken during the junior year)
12 credits of courses in German numbered GERM 300 or higher
24 elective credits of courses in German or courses in English related to German culture (these may include GERM 204 or 205, as well as courses in related fields outside the German Department)
6 credits for the Integrative Exercise (comps)

Courses 101, 102, and 103 do not count toward the major.

Programs Abroad: Participation in Carleton German Programs or in another approved foreign study program is highly recommended for students majoring in German. Students interested in a program abroad that is not affiliated with Carleton should consult with a faculty member in German and with the Director of Off-Campus Studies as well as the Registrar.

Language Houses: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language by living in the Parish International House where they can organize and participate in numerous cultural activities led by German-speaking language associate. Other activities outside the classroom include a German lunch table in the dining halls, film nights, Kaffeeklatsch, a German study table in the library, "Cook and Study" events, and many more.

Requirements for the German Minor

36 credits beyond German 103 as follows:

12 credits from courses numbered German 210-219
12 credits from courses numbered 250 or higher, 6 of which must be at the 300 level
12 elective credits of courses in German or courses in English related to German culture (these may include GERM 204 or 205, 150-159, as well as courses in related fields outside the German Department)

No more than 12 credits from non-Carleton off-campus studies programs may be applied toward the minor. No more than twelve credits from non-Carleton off-campus studies programs may be applied toward the minor.

German Courses

GERM 101 Elementary German This course stresses a firm understanding of the basic structural patterns of the German language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening drills. For students with no previous knowledge of German or for those whose test scores indicate that this is the appropriate level of placement. 6 credits; NE; Fall; Kiley Kost, Don M Vosburg

GERM 102 Elementary German Further study of the basic structural patterns of the German language. Prerequisite: German 101 or equivalent. 6 credits; NE; Winter; Seth Elliott E Meyer, Kiley Kost

GERM 103 Intermediate German Continuation of the study of basic structural patterns of the German language, and the reading and discussion of longer texts, films, and other media from German-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: German 102 or equivalent. 6 credits; S/CR/NC; NE; Spring; Seth Elliott E Meyer, Kiley Kost

GERM 150 German Music and Culture from Mozart to Rammstein What is “German”? Why are certain figures considered German and other identities are excluded--and how might we critically reconsider these categories through a study of “German” music? In this course, we survey significant developments in German-language culture, broadly defined, from the 1600s to the twenty-first century. Taught in English. 6 credits; LA, IS, WR2; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 152 Personhood What is it to be human? What is the difference between human and animal? How do technology and AI alter our understanding of humanity? How does the rhetoric of personhood affect our judgment of others? What is an immigrant, a migrant, a refugee, a foreigner, an alien? In this English-language survey of German thought and literature, we will ask these questions with foundational philosophers from the Enlightenment to the present, engage with contemporary theorists on post-colonialism and nationalism, and rethink the concept of personhood by analyzing crucial new contributions from literature, theater, film, and art. Taught in English. 6 credits; LA, WR2, IS; Winter; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 204 Intermediate German In this course, students build on their basic communication skills to engage in more in-depth spoken and written discussions of German-speaking literature and culture. By analyzing longer and more challenging texts, films and cultural media, continuing grammar review, and writing compositions, students acquire greater facility and confidence in all four language skills (writing, speaking, listening, and reading). Prerequisite: German 103 or equivalent. 6 credits; NE; Fall; Kiley Kost

GERM 205 Berlin Program: Intermediate Composition and Conversation This course is designed for students with intermediate proficiency in German, who wish to extend their knowledge of German language and culture through reading, discussions, and writing. Students will work on developing the ability to articulate opinions, exchange substantive information and to argue points of view; honing analytic and interpretive writing skills; and expanding their linguistic toolkit. The class format features discussions with grammar exercises interspersed as needed. Prerequisite: German 103 or equivalent and acceptance in Berlin Program. 6 credits; NE; Fall; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 208 Coffee and News An excellent opportunity to brush up your German while learning about current issues in German-speaking countries. Relying on magazines, newspapers, podcasts, and streamings, students will discuss common topics and themes once a week to exchange their ideas over snacks with a small group of students. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 2 credits; HI, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 210 What’s Under Your Bed: Ghosts, Germans, and the Uncanny This class explores creepy and uncanny texts from the German-speaking world in the fields of literature, music, and film to examine their connections to the particular cultural moments in which they emerged. Horror themes such as madness, death, and the supernatural will haunt our texts and discussions and will shed light on the state of society in its different epochs. Along the way, we will discuss forms, conventions, and styles that connect the broad diversity of our texts. We will refine written expression in German and develop the ability to express, discuss, and argue opinions. Prerequisite: Take German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS, WR2; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 213 Staging Revolution From classic drama to concrete poetry, from epigrams to Instagram, how are revolutions and social movements spurred forward by the medium in which they are promoted? Not just literal revolution, but what literary revolutions themselves have resulted from such processes? Students will be exposed to many different kinds of texts and films of varying length, and challenged to ask the question: how is language being used here? Course goals include refinement of written and spoken expression, and further development of reading and listening skills. Readings/viewings from Schiller, Schnitzler, Lang, Brecht, Dürrenmatt, Sander, Bachmann, Jandl, Bernhard, Maron, Jelinek, Otoo, #metoo. Conducted in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 215 Refugees Welcome? Debating Migration and Multiculturalism in Post-War Germany This class brings together diverse voices--journalists, philosophers, and political scientists, as well as authors and filmmakers--in order to trace Germany’s contested development to a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Starting with the “guest worker” program of the 1960s to the ongoing refugee crisis, Germans have asked themselves “What is ‘deutsch’?” We will explore Germany’s rich history of negotiating national identity through public discourse, including topics such as German-Turkish relations, Jewish emigration after the Cold War, and the role of Islam in modern Germany. We will focus on refining students’ reading skills: We will survey works from a variety of genres, expand our vocabulary, and explore different layers of German writing through contextualization, translation, analysis and discussion. We will hone our reading strategies for works of fiction and non-fiction, discuss the pros and cons of various (online) dictionaries, and review relevant grammar topics. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 216 German Short Prose The course introduces students to the joys and challenges of reading short German fictional and non-fictional texts of various genres from three centuries, including fairy tales, aphorisms, short stories, novellas, tweets, essays, and newspaper articles. We will read slowly and with an eye to grammar and vocabulary building, while also concentrating on developing an understanding of German cultural history. Texts and class discussions will be in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 221 In this course, we will explore literature and art of German-speaking countries around the topics of gender and sex(uality). We will focus on the years between 1880 and 1920, but also venture into more recent times. What was the image of men and women at the time and how did these images change or remain the same? How did science factor into these images? What was/is considered “normal” when it comes to sex(uality) and gender, and what German-speaking voices have been pushing against those norms? How did these voices use literature and art to reflect or criticize such norms? Texts and class discussions will be in English. 6 credits; HI, WR2, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 241 Crisis of Identity/Identity of Crisis: Introduction to German Jewish Literature and Thought This course draws on short literary and philosophical texts, poems and visual artworks to examine the historical and cultural conditions of the "golden age" of German Jewish literature and thought surrounding the First World War. In response to the religious and philosophical "crisis" of Jewish identity during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, we will explore what it means to live between two distinct cultural traditions, how this struggle impacts questions of authorship, cultural belonging and personal identity, and how critical engagement with the past helps to shape and determine our hopes and aspirations for the future. In English translation. 6 credits; HI, IS, WR2; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 247 Mirror, Mirror: Reflecting on Fairy Tales and Folklore Many people are familiar with the fairy tales collected and published by the Brothers Grimm and have seen iterations of such stories in animated Disney films and live-action reboots. In this class, taught in English, we will critically examine folktales, consider their role in shaping societal standards and how they spread specific values across cultures. We will study the origins of Grimms’ fairy tales before discussing their larger role across media and cultures. Our study of traditional German fairy tales will be informed by contemporary theoretical approaches including feminist theory, ecocriticism, psychology, and animal studies. 6 credits; S/CR/NC; LA, IS; Spring; Kiley Kost

GERM 256 Berlin Program: Crossing Boundaries Who is allowed in? Who is refused entry? How is Berlin divided? How does the city come together? From the first city walls shortly after its 1237 founding to its most famous wall erected in 1961 to today’s debate on accepting migrants, Berlin’s borders have always had profound effects on its own residents and the world at large. In this course, we will encounter walls in texts, films, plays, museums, and excursions, as well as the difficulties in crossing these boundaries. We will thereby focus on issues of religious tolerance, immigration, xenophobia, the Cold War, and Berlin as cultural and political capital. Prerequisite: Acceptance to Berlin Program. 6 credits; HI, IS; Fall; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 257 Berlin Program: Walking the Metropolis As much as a place affects its people, every person’s footprints leave a literal and figurative imprint on the place. This course investigates the relationship between space and thought, movement within the metropolis, and the influences between art and environment. We will encounter the texts of Kafka in Prague, the actress Marlene Dietrich in pre-war Berlin, the psychoanalyst Freud in Vienna, the stories of Tawada and Otoo in today’s German capital, among many others. With visits to memorials and museums, to following the walks of famous thinkers down avenues and canals, we will analyze the thoughts of those before us and create our own new analysis in the old world. Prerequisite: Acceptance to Berlin Program. 6 credits; LA; Fall; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 267 Catastrophe! Natural Disaster in German Literature Are natural disasters ever really natural? In this course, taught in German, we will read works of literature and poetry that portray disaster. Focusing on disaster as the site of interaction between humans and the environment, we will explore and discuss the impact of modern technology, contemporary environmental issues, and the concept of disaster in the shadow of war. Thinking in terms of environmental justice, we will also consider who is impacted by such disasters and in what ways. We will read various genres of literature including works by Hoffmann, Frisch, Wolf, Haushofer and Maron among many others. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS; Winter; Kiley Kost

GERM 305 Berlin Program: Advanced Composition and Conversation This course is designed for students with advanced proficiency in German, who wish to extend their knowledge of German language and culture through reading, discussions, and writing. Students will work on developing the ability to articulate opinions, exchange substantive information and to argue points of view; honing analytic and interpretive writing skills; and expanding their linguistic toolkit. The class format features discussions with grammar exercises interspersed as needed. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; NE; Fall; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 342 Faust and the Soul We all know the story: Faust sells his soul to the devil. It does change over time though: once for 24 years of magic, then for knowledge, also for bliss. From the first Faust book via Christopher Marlowe’s play, to Goethe’s masterpiece and Thomas Mann’s novel, all the way to contemporary film and even Homer Simpson selling his soul for a donut, what is at stake in the Faust legend? Just what is the soul? Via the figure of Faust, how can we understand key periods and works in German-language literature, film, and thought throughout the ages? Taught in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; S/CR/NC; LA, IS; Spring; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 352 Spying and Surveillance in German Literature and Film Not limited to cell phone tapping or wartime intelligence, surveillance is a practice as old as sight itself. Its representations and reporting reach as far back as Actaeon and Diana and all the way forward to the NSA and Angela Merkel. In this course, students will undertake critical readings of surveillance and seminal portrayals of it from the history of German-language literature and film. We will examine the purposes surveillance has served throughout history, the effects it has had on people, the state, and technology, and the ways in which it has been aestheticized in modern fiction, press, and film. Conducted in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 credits; HI, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 357 Berlin Program: Walking the Metropolis As much as a place affects its people, every person’s footprints leave a literal and figurative imprint on the place. This course investigates the relationship between space and thought, movement within the metropolis, and the influences between art and environment. We will encounter the texts of Kafka in Prague, the actress Marlene Dietrich in pre-war Berlin, the psychoanalyst Freud in Vienna, the stories of Tawada and Otoo in today’s German capital, among many others. With visits to memorials and museums, to following the walks of famous thinkers down avenues and canals, we will analyze the thoughts of those before us and create our own new analysis in the old world. Prerequisite: Acceptance to Berlin Program. 6 credits; LA; Fall; Seth Elliott E Meyer

GERM 360 Song That Sleeps in Everything Starting with the Baroque era, we will examine German poems as expressions of the literary movements that gave birth to them. Since the class will focus on each poem as representative of an aesthetic code grounded in specific literary movements, this class is also an excellent introduction to German literary history. We will read the poems, discuss them, listen to recordings and do our own lyrical or dramatic readings. Selections will include poems set to music, as well as twentieth century Cabaret. Interested students may also try their hand at translation. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 credits; LA; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 372 The Latest--Current Themes in German Literature, Film and the Media In this course, students will read and discuss a number of new works from the German-speaking countries that deal with important contemporary issues--the pressures of growing up and finding a job in uncertain economic times, the catastrophe of 9/11, the ever-present theme of finding love, immigrant perspectives, the challenges of aging, etc. We will examine novels and stories that deal with these topics, but also articles in magazines (Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) and films, trying to understand how various genres and media differ in their approaches to our themes. At the center of our discussion there will thus be the question of what forms of expression a society finds for the formulation of its most urgent challenges, and how these texts take part in the public debate. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 credits; LA, IS; Not offered 2019-20

GERM 400 Integrative Exercise Examining an aspect of German literature across eras or genres. 1-6 credit; S/NC; Fall, Winter, Spring