What if you could converse knowledgeably about the pivotal role Germany plays in the European Union—and Bavarian dance...
German majors master a language known for its intellectual and creative culture
Bach on!
From Beethoven to techno, German culture has a deep and personal passion for music. As a study-abroad student you can visit the homes, churches and concert halls of your classical heroes and then dance all night to the latest Berlin beats.
German is a language of intellect, one of the great achievements of human civilization. The backbone of European philosophy is a series of towering figures writing in German—Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche and Heidegger, just to name a few.
New York City is one of the major centers of German culture outside of Europe. Art old and new, food and festivals—our proximity to New York City means students can experience a diverse array of all things German.
We study the traditional great authors as well as contemporary cultural artifacts such as films and graphic novels. Because we’re small we work one-on-one with students to personalize their studies (and write really detailed letters of recommendation for them later).
düsseldorf on the cheap
One of our students recently won a full-ride scholarship from the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (German Academic Exchange Service) for summer study in Düsseldorf.
Careers Made easy
Teutonic power
Knowledge of German is desired and often required for graduate level study in many fields, such as history, political science music or philosophy. Many of our students find that double-majoring in German opens doors for further education and employment.
The northern New Jersey region is the U.S. home to many German companies and even more U.S. companies who sell to the important German market. Knowledge of German is a huge plus in these firms.
Germany has emerged as the key player in the European economy, and therefore, the world economy. It is one of the world’s important business languages.
Full-Impact Students
Nicole Kuruszko
My German major led me to study abroad in Berlin, Freiburg and Düsseldorf on scholarships I received through the department. These experiences have changed me. They’ve brought me into the real world.
Passionate Faculty
Joshua Kavaloski
Associate professor
With my new project, I’m working on a scholarly book that examines the graphic novel, in particular those that have historical settings. They don’t just represent history, they also construct a new understanding of history. I’d call myself a Nihilistic humanist, which is a contradiction in terms, I suppose.
2,000 —the age in years of Bonn, Germany, which was founded as a Roman garrison. Study here. Or in Berlin. Or Freiburg in Germany’s Black Forest.
My Favorite Course
“I enjoyed memorizing the classic Heinrich Heine poem entitled ‘Lamentationen.’ It juxtaposes happiness and unhappiness, noting that happiness is but a fleeting emotion, while unhappiness seems to linger longer.”
A continuation of the development of German language skills, with an emphasis on vocabulary, structures, reading, and oral and written communication. Exploration of the societies and traditions of the German-speaking countries. Open to students who have completed one year of college German or who have been assigned to the course after placement examination.
Offered: fall semester.
GERM 202 - German Culture and Conversation (4)
A conversation course that concentrates on popular culture in German-speaking countries. Discussions, presentations, and short papers involved.
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: GERM 201 or permission of instructor.
GERM 301 - Introduction to German Studies (4)
This course is an introduction to the debates and methodologies in the field of German Studies, and it explores various media and genres, including literature, film, music, and the visual arts. Development of analytical writing and argumentation in German.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: GERM 202 or permission of instructor.
GERM 310 - German Literature and Culture (4)
This course examines a topic in further depth and develops analytical writing and argumentation in German. Further development of analytical writing and argumentation in German.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or permission of instructor.
Note
Heritage speakers and other advanced students whom the German program determines are fluent in German should substitute an upper-level elective in German Studies beyond GERM 310 in place of any course that they test out of.
II. Electives in German Studies (12 credits)
German majors must take an additional 12 credits of upper-level electives in German Studies. One 4-credit course may be a German Studies Course taught in English
III. Elective in Another Discipline (4 credits)
In consultation with their major advisor, majors must take an additional 4 credits in a course that has a topic related to German Studies. The following courses count toward this elective:
HIST 245 - Modern German History (4)
The politics and culture of Germany in the modern era. Themes include the development of national identity, the emergence of Germany as a nation-state, the failure of the Weimar Republic, the rise to power and rule of the Nazis, postwar division of Germany, and reunification.
Offered: in alternate years.
HIST 339 - Germany, Nazism, and the Holocaust (4)
This course moves from early German national history, through World War One and the crises of Weimar, in an effort to understand the ascent of Nazism as an ideology and political movement, as well as Hitler's rise to power. Focus then turns to Germany's great crimes; war, conquest, and, especially, the Holocaust. Major themes include: traditions of authoritarianism; the nature and mobilization of German anti-Semitism; and the causes, course, and character of the Holocaust, examined through the experiences of its victims and perpetrators.
Offered: in alternate years.
HIST 342 - Europe, 1914-1945: The World Wars and the Great Dictators (4)
A study of world war and with great dictators in 20th-century Europe. Focuses on the failures of interwar diplomacy and the rise of totalitarianism in the Soviet Union, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Devotes special attention to the Russian revolution, Stalin's terror, the Nazi Holocaust, and the peace settlement of 1945.
Offered: spring semester.
JWST 233 - Perspectives on the Holocaust (4)
This course provides multiple perspectives on the Holocaust, the near extermination of European Jewry and the brutal persecution of an extended mosaic of victims. As a watershed event, the Holocaust has radically affected our conceptions of human nature, the dimensions of evil, the existence of God, the power of bearing literary witness, the moral and political outlook for the future. Readings span the disciplines of history, psychology, literature, theology, and political science, each providing its own distinctive illumination. Course requirements include exams, papers, journal entries, and a field trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Same as: HOST 233.
Offered: spring semester.
PHIL 317 - History of 19th-Century Philosophy (4) (Same as: HISTG+117.)
A study of post-Kantian Continental philosophical systems from Hegel through Nietzsche. Other major figures studied are Fichte, Schopenhauer, Feuerbach, and Marx.
Offered: alternate years.
IV. Capstone (2 credits)
Normally taken in the senior year. Students enroll in 2 credits of GERM 400 while taking an upper-level German course such as GERM 320, GERM 330, GERM 340, or GERM 350. The capstone involves guided research that concludes with a substantial paper in German on a topic chosen in consultation with their major advisor.
Note
It is strongly recommended that all German majors spend time in a German-speaking country. Students considering graduate study in German should take additional courses in areas such as history, literature, mythology, philosophy, linguistics, political science, and another language.
Minor
Requirements for the Minor (20 credits)
I. Core (16 credits)
GERM 201 - Intermediate German (4)
A continuation of the development of German language skills, with an emphasis on vocabulary, structures, reading, and oral and written communication. Exploration of the societies and traditions of the German-speaking countries. Open to students who have completed one year of college German or who have been assigned to the course after placement examination.
Offered: fall semester.
GERM 202 - German Culture and Conversation (4)
A conversation course that concentrates on popular culture in German-speaking countries. Discussions, presentations, and short papers involved.
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: GERM 201 or permission of instructor.
GERM 301 - Introduction to German Studies (4)
This course is an introduction to the debates and methodologies in the field of German Studies, and it explores various media and genres, including literature, film, music, and the visual arts. Development of analytical writing and argumentation in German.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: GERM 202 or permission of instructor.
GERM 310 - German Literature and Culture (4)
This course examines a topic in further depth and develops analytical writing and argumentation in German. Further development of analytical writing and argumentation in German.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: GERM 301 or permission of instructor.
II. Upper Level (4 credits)
Four upper-level credits beyond GERM 310, including courses taught in English.
Note
It is recommended that German minors spend time in a German-speaking country.
