German Studies Major (GER)

German Studies is the interdisciplinary study of the cultural, social, economic, and political life of the German-speaking peoples (mainly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) in their historical and international context. Equipped with a liberal arts education and a thorough knowledge of German Studies, Centenary students are prepared for professions and careers, both in the Unites States and in international settings, in the private or public sector.

Major requirements

  1. German (at least 12 hours, i.e., four courses above the intermediate level from the following courses: GER 301, 302, 305, 306, 419, 420, 421, 422, FLNG 471-473, or up to six hours of 493 (Independent Study in German).
    In the following courses, students should focus their work on German-speaking countries. Before registering, students should contact the instructor to verify that such a focus is acceptable:
  2. Understanding Culture through Literary and/or Aesthetic Approaches (choose at least six hours, i.e., two courses from the following courses):
    • ENGL 357S (Seminar in Other Literary Traditions)
    • ENGL 368 (History of Film to 1939)
    • ENGL 369 (History of Film from 1939 to the Present)
    • ENGL 364S (Literary Sources of Opera), and
    • ENGL 399 (Seminar in Film Studies).
  3. Understanding Culture through Literary, Philosophical, and/or Social Approaches (nine hours, i.e., three courses from the following courses):
    • Art 290 (topic must be Holocaust or German-Jewish Studies)
    • PHIL 302, History of Modern Philosophy
    • FLNG 393 or FLNG 394 (Studies of Foreign Cultures in Translation). Topics must vary and may cover German and/or Jewish culture of the 19th, 20th or 21st century, including Holocaust literature).
  4. Historical or Political Approaches (six hours, i.e., two courses from the following courses):
    • HIST 103 (Western Heritage Since 1789)
    • HIST 333 (Twentieth-Century Europe)
    • HIST 334W (Readings in European Women’s History)
    • HIST 491-496 (Independent Study)
    • PSC 101 (Western European Politics)
  5. Study or Intern Abroad (at least one semester or three months - choose option a or b):
    • Study in a German-speaking country (at a university or language school) for at least one semester. Students should wait until their junior year to fulfill this requirement and consult closely with their advisor and registrar (about transfer credit, living arrangements, academic requirements, etc.). Students should register for one or several advanced (300+) German courses (incl. FLNG 393 or FLNG 394). An Introduction to the semester abroad in form of a module to Germany is strongly recommended.
    • Intern abroad for at least 3 months in a German-speaking country, preferably during the junior year (FLNG 400)
    • The minimum number of required hours within this (interdisciplinary) major is 45 (15 courses)(including GER 101, 102, 201, and 202; placement credit of up to 12 hours possible). At least 30 of those hours (10 courses) must be at the 300-level or above.
    • This program welcomes and strongly encourages students wishing to pursue a double major in German Studies and in any other major field of study that Centenary College offers.

101-102. Elementary German (3,3)
A communicative approach to contemporary German. Emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, and cultural understanding. Yearly.

201-202. Intermediate German (3,3)
Prerequisites: GER 102 or equivalent. Objective: Conversational, reading, and writing practice, including discussions of short cultural and literary texts. Systematic review of grammar, vocabulary building, and cultural knowledge. Yearly.

301. Advanced German Conversation and Composition (3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 or equivalent. Objective: Refinement and expansion of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), vocabulary, understanding of grammatical structure and problems of style through an analysis of literary and non-literary texts.

302. Introduction to German Legends (3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 or consent. Readings from the works of representative German writers. Conducted in German.

305. German Poetry (3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 or permission by instructor. A chronological and systematic survey of the main trends in German poetry. Beginning with Old High German and ending with the analysis of poems from the early twentieth century, this course concentrates on aesthetic and socio-historical aspects. On demand.

306. The German Short Story (3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 or permission by instructor. A detailed analysis of the German short story. Emphasis on reading and writing skills.Beginning with the post-war years and ending with short stories from East German writers, this course concentrates on aesthetic and socio-historical aspects. On demand.

419W. German Literature of the Nineteenth Century (3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 or equivalent. Selected representative writings from the works of Goethe, Schiller, Hslderlin, Kleist, Heine, Keller, and Storm. Offered on demand.

420W. German Literature of the Twentieth Century (3)
Prerequisites: GER 201-202 or equivalent. Objective: Selected representative writings from the works of Rilke, Hesse, T. Mann, Brecht, Böll, Grass, C.Wolf, Ende and Süsskind. Offered on demand.

421. German Culture and Civilization (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or permission by instructor. From literature and music to science and business, from philosophy and art to sports and entertainment: this course draws from the spheres of culture and civilization. Emphasis will be on advanced aural comprehension and writing skills. A course integrating multimedia instruction (satellite programs, video documentaries, and Internet research). On demand.

422. Germany Today (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or permission by instructor. Advanced training on writing, speaking, and aural comprehension of German, dealing with the societies, cultures, and policies of present German-speaking countries. Discussion of recent developments, political parties, interest groups, new social movements, etc. Emphasis on issues of today. Conducted in German. A course integrating multimedia instruction (satellite programs, video documentaries, and Internet research). On demand.

491-493. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: GER 202 and permission of the instructor. Study in a field of German language or literature appropriate to the student's preparation and interests.

FLNG 473. Senior Seminar in German Studies (3)

FLNG/ENGL 394AW. Studies in Foreign Cultures/Literatures in Translation: Approaching the Holocaust (3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 201 or permission by the instructor.
No knowledge of a foreign language required. Studies in the nature and ideas of foreign cultures through film and/or the literatures of classical or modern languages in English translation. Individual topics may not be repeated for credit.

FLNG 199. Module Studies: German Language and Culture (3)

An intercultural module to Germany. Students are exposed to German language, culture, and everyday life over a period of three weeks.

Last updated May 19, 2008.