German Studies courses
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Director of undergraduate studies: Paul North, 323 WLH, 432-6401, p.north@yale.edu
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAJOR
Professors Seyla Benhabib (Political Science), David Cameron (Political Science), Rüdiger Campe (German), Paul Franks (Judaic Studies), Michael Friedmann (Adjunct) (Music), Timothy Guinnane (Economics), *Karsten Harries (Philosophy), Carol Jacobs (German), Rainer Nägele (German), *Brigitte Peucker (German, Film Studies), Steven Smith (Political Science), Henry Sussman (German) (Visiting), J. Adam Tooze (History), Katie Trumpener (Comparative Literature, English), Christopher Wood (History of Art)
Associate Professor Kirk Wetters (German)
Assistant Professor Paul North (German)
*Member of the Advisory Committee for the program.
The major in German Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the German cultural tradition in history, philosophy, the visual arts, music, film studies, politics, and culture, with a German-language requirement. The major draws on several departments and programs along with core courses in German Studies. It is particularly suited to students wishing to combine interests in German language and culture with intensive work in another discipline.
In German Studies, students have the freedom to develop a program of courses to meet their particular needs and interests. Through consultation with the director of undergraduate studies, each student is expected to define a focus of concentration within the major. Interested students should contact the director of undergraduate studies to begin planning their course of study.
Two majors The German Studies major is particularly well suited for students who wish to fulfill the requirements of two majors. For such students, the focus of concentration within the German Studies major often reflects or augments the other elected major.
Prerequisite Students choosing the German Studies major should have completed GMAN 110 and 120 or have received equivalent credit through advanced placement or study abroad.
The major The major consists of twelve term courses, for a total of thirteen course credits, including GMAN 130 and 140 or equivalent; GMAN 150; two courses from the German Modernities series, numbered GMST 180–189; one German literature course numbered GMAN 171–179; and the senior essay. The remaining five courses must include four term courses that together constitute a focus of concentration. One of the courses in the concentration, taken in the spring of the junior year, is designated as the junior seminar. Students in the standard major elect one additional advanced seminar in German literature or culture. Students in the intensive major complete a two-term senior essay instead of taking the additional advanced seminar. Courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the requirements of the major.
Focus of concentration and junior seminar The junior seminar and three other term courses are chosen from inside or outside the department after consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. This cluster of courses constitutes a focus of concentration in a discipline or area of study related to the major; examples of areas of concentration are history, philosophy, Germanic languages and literatures, psychology, sociology, political and social theory, European studies, film studies, humanities, history of art, and music. During the spring term of the junior year, each student selects one seminar in the focus of concentration as the designated junior seminar. This seminar provides the student with bibliographic and research skills that lay a foundation for work on the senior essay, and it culminates in the submission of a substantial term paper, ordinarily twenty-five pages.
Senior requirement for the standard major (one-term senior essay) Seniors in the standard German Studies major enroll in GMST 490, a guided senior essay tutorial course. Students meet on a biweekly basis with the director of undergraduate studies and staff, and work under the direction of a faculty adviser. The culmination of the tutorial is an essay of approximately thirty pages that gives evidence of careful reading and substantial independent thought. The essay may be written in either English or German, although only native speakers are encouraged to write an essay in German. Seniors typically write the essay during the fall term. A preliminary statement indicating the general area to be addressed and the choice of adviser should be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies by September 7, 2012; a three-page prospectus and a bibliography are due by September 28. A rough draft must be submitted to the adviser by November 9. The completed essay, due on December 10, is judged by the faculty adviser and a second reader.
Intensive major (two-term senior essay) Requirements for the intensive major are the same as for the standard major, except that the intensive major replaces one advanced seminar with a second term of the senior essay. In the fall term seniors in the intensive major enroll in GMST 491 and begin work on their project under the guidance and supervision of a faculty adviser. A significant portion of the research for the essay should involve materials in German. The essay may be written in either English or German, although only native speakers are encouraged to write an essay in German. A detailed prospectus, no longer than three pages, and a bibliography must be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies by October 22, 2012. The student must submit a draft of at least fifteen pages of the essay by December 7 to receive credit for the first term of the course. The second term, GMST 492, is devoted to completing the essay, which should be substantial (between fifty and sixty pages); the completed essay must be submitted by April 23, 2013. The senior essay is judged by the faculty adviser and a second reader.
Study abroad Students are strongly encouraged to study in Germany for a summer, or for one or two terms on the Year or Term Abroad program. Appropriate course credit toward the major is granted for work in approved programs in Germany. Study abroad is valuable not only for achieving comfortable fluency in German, but also for gaining firsthand knowledge of the German cultural context. The department offers diverse opportunities for study abroad and a scholarship program for summer courses at German universities. Members of the faculty advise and consult with any students wishing to plan study in Germany. Students who have been approved to study abroad and who receive financial aid from Yale are eligible for aid while abroad. For information about the Year or Term Abroad program, see under Special Arrangements in the Academic Regulations.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites GMAN 110 and 120, or equivalent
Number of courses 12 term courses, totaling 13 course credits, beyond prereq (incl senior req) for letter grades
Specific courses required GMAN 130, 140, 150; 2 courses numbered GMST 180–189; 1 course numbered GMAN 171–179
Distribution of courses 4 term courses constituting a focus of concentration, 1 of them the junior sem; 1 addtl advanced sem in German lit or culture
Substitution permitted With DUS approval, courses taken on Year or Term Abroad for other courses in major
Senior requirement Senior essay (GMST 490)
Intensive major Two-term senior essay (GMST 491, 492), instead of 1 addtl advanced sem
