German (GERM)
Chair: Professor Laura Goering (Russian)
Professors: Julie A. Klassen, Sigrun D. Leonhard, John Roger Paas, Anne C. Ulmer
Lecturer: Nadja Krämer
Fahrvergnügen? Sprachvergnügen! After three terms of German at Carleton, you will have the linguistic proficiency to read literature and newspapers, and to live and study in a German-speaking country. Our programs in Berlin and Munich/Wittenberg offer a choice in location. Family home-stays provide you with the opportunity to apply what you have learned, and you will return feeling comfortable in German, and able to read some of the world's best writers in the original.
You will have the opportunity to take small classes that cover a wide range of thinkers: Goethe, Schiller, Kafka, Rilke, Mann, Freud, Brecht, Christa Wolf, Ingeborg Bachmann, and many others. Among our recent courses in German/Austrian literary culture are: The Age of Goethe; Topics in German Drama; German Literature and Life, 1780-1900; Romanticism; Young Adult Literature; Visions of Reality in the Twentieth Century; Rilke and His Circle; The German Fairy Tale; Searching for the Self; Dream and Reality: Vienna 1900/2000; Coffee and News; and Eighteenth Century Views of Reality.
Courses in translation include: Studies in German Cinema; European Film; The Forest in German Literature; From Gutenberg to Gates: The Practice of the Book; Damsels, Dwarfs and Dragons: Medieval German Literature; Berlin: The Metropolis and the Culture of Modernity; The Holocaust: Memory and Representations; Science, Authority and Conscience in German Literature; and Minority Literature.
Carleton offers a major in German. Advanced students who are not German majors may earn a Certificate of Advanced Study (equivalent to a minor). In addition, we offer an interdisciplinary concentration in European Studies, which provides the opportunity to study questions of German identity in a broader European context.
Outside of class, there are other German-language activities: a weekly German table in the dining hall; film night; and our Friday-afternoon Kaffeeklatsch, where students and faculty meet over freshly-baked Kuchen and coffee.
Requirements for a Major:
Sixty-six credits including 206 or 207; Literary and Culture Studies 245 (normally taken during the junior year); two of the following survey courses 231, 260, 351, and 360, AND one of the twentieth-century courses: 261; 354, 355; and the integrative exercise. Courses 101, 102, 103, 110, 204, 205 and 301 do not count towards the major. Additionally, at least six credits are required in literature outside the major, read in the original language or in translation. Majors are encouraged to take other related courses in fields such as history, philosophy, religion, classics, and art or music history, in order to gain further perspectives in their literary studies.
A special major involving German and another discipline may sometimes be arranged upon consultation with the department chair. Participation by such students in a Carleton or other approved foreign study program is highly recommended.
Certificate of Advanced Study in Foreign Language and Literature or Area Studies: In order to receive the Certificate of Advanced Study in German students must fulfill the general requirements (refer to Academic regulations) in the following course distribution: 36 credits beyond 103, of which at least eighteen will be taught in the target language; two of those three courses may be advanced language courses (205, 206 or 207). Courses remaining may be from the German section or from a list of approved courses offered by other departments (philosophy, history, linguistics, music, etc.) Although courses for the certificate may be taken on a S/CR/NC basis, "D" or "CR" level work will not be sufficient to satisfy course requirements.
Language Houses: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language by living in the Language House. The Associate is a native speaker. Students organize and participate in numerous cultural activities in the language house.
Elementary and Intermediate Language Courses:
Language courses 101, 102, 103 and 204 are a sequential series of courses designed to prepare the student to satisfy the College language requirement and/or to pursue advanced work in the language, literature and culture of German-speaking countries. Courses 101, 102 and 103 meet five days a week; 204 meets three days a week. Admission to these courses is determined either by appropriate CEEB or placement test scores, or by completion of the previous course in the sequence with a C- grade or better.
German Courses
GERM 100. Views of Reality: Understanding Literary Works of the Past Views of reality constantly change over time and find their expression in art and literature. This course will focus on European views of reality in the eighteenth century, a century of contentment as well as revolution. Works by such authors as Goethe, Voltaire, Schiller and Pope will be studied within their historical and social context. Readings and discussion in English. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—R. Paas
GERM 100. Science, Authority and the Conscience in German Literature An examination of the literary portrayal of the personal and societal responsibilities connected with gathering and applying (primarily scientific) knowledge. Questions to be addressed include: In what ways does knowledge liberate, threaten, and/or obligate us? Who controls the pursuit of knowledge and its applications? What is the role for individual and societal conscience? The settings and authors range from the Renaissance world of Goethe's Faust and Brecht's Galileo to the McCarthy era in the United State (Kipphardt), a post-WWII Swiss sanatorium (Durrenmatt), and the environmental dilemmas in the erstwhile East Germany (Wolf, Maron). In translation. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—J. Klassen
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 cr., ND, Fall—Staff
GERM 102. Elementary German Further study of the basic structural patterns of the German language. Prerequisite: German 101, or appropriate placement score. 6 cr., ND, Winter—Staff
GERM 103. Intermediate German Completion of the study of basic structural patterns of the German language, and the reading and discussion of a longer literary work. Prerequisite: German 102. 6 cr., ND, Spring—Staff
GERM 110. German for Reading Knowledge
A thorough introduction to the basic structures of the German language. Intended for students who need a fundamental reading knowledge of German. 6 cr., ND, Winter—R. Paas
GERM 204. Intermediate German Critical reading and discussion of selected German plays and short stories. Prerequisite: German 103, or appropriate placement score. 6 cr., ND, Fall—Staff
GERM 205. German Program: Intermediate Composition and Conversation This course, taught by a native speaker, will focus on students' reading, writing, and speaking abilities. The class format will feature mainly discussions with grammar exercises interspersed as needed. Students will write frequent papers and correct these papers themselves. 6 cr., ND, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 206. Composition and Conversation Short texts, films, video clips and other cultural materials will serve to launch us into discussions of contemporary German and Austrian culture. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 cr., ND, Winter—A. Ulmer
GERM 207. Young Adult Literature The best current German-language literature for teen-aged readers treats serious topics with wit and sensitivity. We will read and discuss books on sexuality, gender identity, politics, peer pressure, the generation gap, drugs, and other topics. These texts, many of which have won prizes, are linguistically accessible and written with flair. Readings and class discussions will be in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 cr., ND, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 228. Romanticism: Nature and the Supernatural This course explores the portrayals of the natural world in its relationship to the imagination and the supernatural in the various phases of German Romanticism. In keeping with the early romanticists' call to poeticize the world, materials include poetry, folk and art tales, essays, a play, novellas, music, and painting. Authors include the brothers Grimm, the Schlegels, Novalis, Tieck, Brentano, Eichendorff and Heine. In translation. No prerequisite. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 230. From Gutenberg to Gates: History and Practice of the Book Gutenberg's invention of printing with movable type has had a far-reaching impact on the political, social, and intellectual development in the Western World. A similarly profound revolution is taking place today with the use of computers. This course will focus on the major developments in printing since 1450 against the relevant historical and social background. In addition to lectures and discussions there will be a regular "lab," in which students will gain first-hand knowledge of such techniques as woodcutting, engraving, etching, lithography, bookbinding, and papermaking. In English translation. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 231. Damsels, Dwarfs, and Dragons: Medieval German Literature Around the year 1200 German poets wrote some of the most lasting works in the Western literary tradition. It was a time of courtly love and Arthurian romances, and themes vary widely from love and honor to revenge and murder. In this course attention will be focused on the poetry of Walther von der Vogelweide and on two major epics: The Nibelungenlied and Gottfried von Strassburg's Tristan and Isolde. In English translation. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 232. The Forest in German Literature and Culture We will examine stories, fairy tales, poetry, art, music, and other cultural documents to understand the forest as an important natural and symbolic phenomenon in the relationship of humans to nature in German-speaking societies. Over-arching themes include the rise of environmental sensibility, alienation through technology, and responses to environmental threats. In English translation. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 241. Minority Voices in German and Other European Literatures
Using German literature by ethnic minorities as its starting point, this course will also examine texts from several other European countries (including France, Spain and Russia) with ties to African, Arabic, or Jewish heritage. We will explore such issue as citizenship, xenophobia, and racism, but also the mutually determining factors of language and writing in the creation of identity and cultural community. Texts and discussions are in English, with supplemental materials from the visual arts. 6 cr., AL,RAD, Spring—J. Klassen
GERM 244. Berlin Program: Knowledge and its Discontents: The Fate of Enlightenment in Modern German Literature In this course we will explore current social, political and cultural issues as reflected in German literature and film, such as the changing definition of national identity in the wake of unification, Germany's position within the new Europe, and the role of the new emerging technologies. The syllabus will include a number of plays that will be performed at Berlin theaters, which the class will view together. A specific reading list will be available at the beginning of the seminar. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 246. Rebels, Revolutionaries, and Misfits
This course focuses on several German literary figures from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries who either were outsiders during their lifetimes or who actively fought against the establishment. The authors to be studied include Franz Kafka, Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht, Heinrich von Kleist, and Georg Büchner. 6 cr., AL, Winter—R. Paas
GERM 260. Community and the Individual: German Literature and Life, 1780-1900 This survey of German literature examines significant works of prose, poetry, and drama in their cultural contexts, by authors ranging from Goethe and Novalis to Storm and Rilke. Besides gaining a sense of genre traditions and literary epochs, participants will also explore the tensions between individuals and the changing social and political order. Specific factors to be considered include the artist's role in society, high culture versus popular culture, German identity, censorship, and the dreams of nationhood. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 261. Visions of Reality: Germany in the Twentieth Century The twentieth century saw profound changes in the perception and representation of reality. In this course, we will explore the aesthetic, cultural and political visions of "reality" and the impact they had on the individual and on German society. What are the concepts of time and space? Of history? How are individual/culture/society represented? We will look at avant-garde and mainstream movements in different media such as literature, film, the visual arts, and architecture. Some secondary readings in English. Prerequisite: German 206 or equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 268. Trials and Tribulations Various aspects of justice and law (Gerechtigkeit and Recht) are central to many literary works in German. What is guilt? What is justice? Is there such a thing as innocence? Who decides? We will focus on both societal and individual existential views of these topics, as seen through several novels and plays. Authors will include Kafka, Lenz, Frisch, Dürrenmatt and others. Primary literature will be in German, though some secondary reading may be in English. Class discussions in German. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 278. Sport, Identity, and Nationalism
Sport is a central activity in societies and modern collective life that functions as a vehicle for identity formation by providing people with a sense of difference and a way of classifying themselves and others; sport as a performance shapes national identity and generates meaning in an increasingly global spectacle. In this course, we will look at such sports and sport venues as boxing, soccer, cricket and the Olympics: we will examine how theories of nationalism are connected to concepts of race, class, and the aesthetics of the body. In English translation. 6 cr., AL, Fall—N. Kramer
GERM 280. Holocaust: Memory and Representations This course explores how the Holocaust is remembered and represented in contemporary cultural media: film, literature, documentaries, comics, museums, and memorials. We will look at differences between first-and second generation survivor testimonies, fictional treatments, and public memorializations. How are events remembered and memorialized and in what way? Who can legitimately remember? What different modes of representation are permissible, appropriate or desirable? These are the questions this course tries to answer. In translation. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 295. Berlin: The Metropolis and the Culture of Modernity After WWI, Berlin emerged as a place of a new consciousness and new rhythms of sensual and intellectual life and saw profound changes in the perception and representation of time and space. In theoretical essays, literature, art and film, Berlin will provide the starting point from which we will expand to study many facets of twentieth century modernity in terms of city life (leisure time, amusement parks), emerging media (photography and film), gendered notions of urban space, politics, and art. Reading and discussions are in English. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 301. Coffee and the News This course is intended as a refresher course for students who have completed the basic language sequence and/or taken part in the German program. Practice in writing and speaking German. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 2 cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Fall,Winter,Spring—R. Paas
GERM 312. Rilke and His Circle Rainer Maria Rilke, perhaps the foremost poet of his century, lived among a variety of artists, thinkers, and writers. Among them are Rodin, Lou Andreas-Salome, and the Worpswede group of artists. We will follow the threads of Rilke's life and poetry, and see where they lead us. The course will center on Rilke's poetry and prose fiction, but will also include correspondence, and the works of some of Rilke's associates. Class discussions and primary readings will be in German (sometimes with English translations provided); some secondary readings may be in English. Prerequisites: German 204 or equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 345. Vienna: Dream and Reality
6 cr., AL, Fall—A. Ulmer
The course will examine the beginnings of Modernism in Austrian culture, music, theater, philosophy, art and architecture, focusing on literature within its wider context. We will look at such thinkers and artists as Freud, Wittgenstein, Schnitzler, Hofmannsthal, Hermann Bahr, Karl Kraus, Robert Musil and Peter Altenberg; as well as the great musicians, architects and painters of the time. We will survey the history and culture of the period between 1870 and 1930, with our primary focus on the period from around 1890-1920. Lectures and discussions will be in German.
GERM 346. Viennese Culture on Site
The first part of the course consists of a field trip to Vienna, Austria. We will spend two weeks going to museums and seeing the architecture and art we have discussed in German 345, including many works by such artists as Loos, Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka. The course will conclude on campus, with class meeting once or twice a week for five weeks. Students will give oral presentations on topics selected in the fall term and investigated during the winter break trip. Prerequisite: German 345. 6 cr., AL, Winter—A. Ulmer
GERM 350. Two Countries- One Nation-Germany and the Cold War The fall of the Berlin Wall and the creation of one German State in 1990 has caused a debate. Does this event reflect a "reunification" of "two countries that belonged together" or, is this a "unification" of two disparate political and cultural units that have evolved since WWII. We will address this question within the context of the debate on German identity and nationalism. We will explore literature, film, theater, social and cultural politics, along with a special emphasis on the phenomenon of the "Grenzgänger" who transcendends the physical and intellectual boundaries between the two German States. Prerequisite: German 206 or the equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 351. The Age of Goethe The literary movements of Enlightenment, Storm and Stress, and Classicism as seen through selected works of Goethe, Schiller, Lessing and Herder. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 354. Studies in Twentieth Century Prose and Poetry An examination of the modern novella and lyric, including works by such authors as Kafka, Brecht, Hesse, Rilke, George, Hofmannsthal, Mann, Fisch, Wolf, Böll, Frischmuth, Kaschnitz and others, in their historical and cultural context. Prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 355. Topics in German Drama: Twentieth Century Theatrical Experiments We will read and discuss in German a range of plays which push the limits of theatrical possibilities. Possible playwrights include Georg Kaiser, Bert Brecht, Wolfgang Borchert, Rolf Hochhuth, Peter Handke, Heiner Müller, Thomas Bernhard, and perhaps a twenty-first century writer. Videos of play productions and our own dramatic readings of scenes will help us explore some of the century's theories of acting and staging. Prerequisite: German 204 or the equivalent. 6 cr., AL, Not offered in 2005-2006.
GERM 360. The Song that Sleeps in Everything: German Poetry through the Ages 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 cr., AL, Spring—S. Leonhard
GERM 400. Integrative Exercise Examining an aspect of German literature across eras or genres. 6 cr., S/NC, ND, Fall,Winter—Staff