German Studies Program
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Department Information
German Studies Program
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Kathrin Bower, Section Coordinator
Professor Bower
Assistant Professor Weist
Affiliated Faculty: Thomas Bonfiglio (Comparative Literature & Linguistics), David Brandenberger (History), Michelle Kahn (History), Martin Sulzer-Reichel (Arabic Studies)
This section contains information specific to the degree programs in German studies. For full information regarding departmental policies relevant to all the LLC degree programs, study abroad, and course sequencing, see the main page of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. -
Major
The German Studies Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
Nine courses, including:
Conversation and Composition
Introduction to German Literature
Two additional 300-level courses in German
Two 400-level courses in German (if the student transfers in a 400-level course from a study abroad program, one 400-level course must be taken after return from study abroad)
Three additional courses from the list below, or a combination of additional courses in German at the 300-level or above taken at Richmond or as approved transfer credit. Note: CLAC in German is required for any course taught in English.
Intermediate German (only if taken at the University of Richmond or on an approved program)
Europe’s Migration Crisis
Nazi Germany
Reformation Europe
Modern Germany
Europe in Crisis, 1881-1949
Cold War Europe, 1945-1991
Gender and Sexuality in Europe
Introductory Linguistics
Psychoanalysis, Literature, and Culture
/ German Cinema
Representing the Holocaust
Performing Sex and Gender
Europe Today
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major. Prerequisites do not count toward the major unless otherwise noted.
The Residency Requirement
For all German Studies majors, at least five of the nine courses required for the major must be taken on the University of Richmond campus. Majors must take at least one 400-level class on campus after studying abroad, regardless of whether or not they have sufficient credits to fulfill the major or minor requirements.
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Minor
The German Studies Minor
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70). Up to three classes may be transferred in toward the minor. Minors must take at least one 400-level class on campus after studying abroad, regardless of whether or not they have sufficient credits to fulfill the minor requirements.
Five courses, including:
Conversation and Composition
Introduction to German Literature
One 400-level course in German
Two additional courses from the list below or as approved transfer credit in German at the 300-level or above. Note: CLAC in German is required for any course taught in English.
Intermediate German (only if taken at the University of Richmond or on an approved program)
German through Theater
Heimathorror
Rebels with a Cause: Political Satire
Selected Topics
Introductory Linguistics
Psychoanalysis, Literature, and Culture
/ German Cinema
Representing the Holocaust
Performing Sex and Gender
The Residency Requirement
For all German Studies majors, at least five of the nine courses required for the major must be taken on the University of Richmond campus. Majors must take at least one 400-level class on campus after studying abroad, regardless of whether or not they have sufficient credits to fulfill the major or minor requirements.
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Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Study and travel abroad are strongly encouraged for all students. German studies students can take advantage of semester or year exchange programs in Konstanz, Mannheim and Münster, Germany, as well as the summer program in Berlin.
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Residency
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Cross School
Cross-School Major in German Studies and International Business
(Earned in conjunction with a major in the Robins School of Business with an international business concentration.)
Nine courses and an interdisciplinary research project in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including:
Five units in German at the 300 or 400 level
One semester full-time study at the Universität Münster School of Business and Economics or at the Universität Mannheim Business School (four courses)
Interdisciplinary Research Project
The German major/international business option represents a collaborative project between the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in the School of Arts and Sciences and the International Business Program in the Robins School of Business. Designated faculty members from each program will advise students upon declaration and as they progress through the major. The curriculum includes a semester abroad at one of the University's partner institutions. There, students will continue their Robins School concentrations and German Studies courses in classes with both local and other international students.
In order to prepare for the experience abroad, students in German will need to have completed at least
on the Richmond campus. Students must take at least two courses in German at the Universität Münster or at the Universität Mannheim.Students are required to take one 400-level course in German upon their return.
Courses
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GERM 101 Elementary German
Units: 1
DescriptionIntroduction to German language and culture.
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GERM 102 Elementary German
Units: 1
DescriptionIntroduction to German language and culture.
PrerequisitesGerman 101.
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GERM 201 Intermediate German
Units: 1
DescriptionActive practice and reinforcement of German language skills and study of culture.
PrerequisitesGerman 102 or advanced placement or permission of department.
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GERM 202 Intermediate German
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (COM2)
DescriptionActive practice and reinforcement of German language skills and study of culture.
PrerequisitesGerman 201 or permission of department.
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GERM 301 German Conversation and Composition
Units: 1
DescriptionExpansion and refinement of oral and written expression through reading, discussion, and analysis of topics in German culture, politics, and history.
PrerequisitesGerman 202 or advanced placement or permission of department.
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GERM 305 German Grammar and Composition
Units: 1
DescriptionConcise review of principles of German grammar and development of competent writing skills. Available on study abroad only.
PrerequisitesGerman 202 or permission of department.
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GERM 314 German through Theater
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSVP)
DescriptionAnalysis of plays through selected design projects and a final performance. Provides an introduction to the field of German theater as well as substantial practice in interpersonal and presentational speaking, with a focus on pronunciation.
PrerequisitesGerman 202 or permission of instructor.
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GERM 321 Introduction to German Literature
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)
DescriptionIntroduction to analysis and interpretation of literary texts in their aesthetic, historical, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts. Development of written critical apparatus.
PrerequisitesGerman 202 or permission of department.
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GERM 333 Heimathorror/Homeland Horror
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of literary and filmic uses of horror and the supernatural to negotiate cultural events in German-speaking countries, primarily in the nineteenth century.
PrerequisitesGerman 202.
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GERM 365 Rebels with a Cause: Political Satire
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of political and socially critical poetry, prose, images, songs, and performance from the 19th century to the present.
PrerequisitesGERM 202.
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GERM 388 Individual Internship
Units: .5-1
DescriptionInternship experiences outside of the department in fields related to German studies. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
PrerequisitesPermission of department.
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GERM 389 Practice Assistantship
Units: .25
DescriptionStudents lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequence in German. The practice assistantship does not count as credit toward the major or minor. Up to one unit can be applied toward graduation credit.
PrerequisitesPermission of department.
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GERM 397 Selected Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionSpecial interest topics offered at department's discretion.
PrerequisitesGerman 301or permission of department.
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GERM 402 Advanced German Conversation
Units: 1
DescriptionDevelopment of advanced level fluency through discussion of contemporary topics in German culture and politics. Available on study abroad only.
PrerequisitesGerman 301 or permission of the department.
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GERM 404 Advanced Composition and Syntax
Units: 1
DescriptionAdvanced grammar, syntax and stylistics. Available on study abroad only.
PrerequisitesGerman 301 or permission of the department.
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GERM 406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Units: 0
DescriptionDocumentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.
PrerequisitesApproval for summer Arts and Sciences fellowship by faculty mentor
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GERM 445 Visions of Berlin
Units: 1
DescriptionInterdisciplinary seminar on the cultural and historical role of Berlin from the nineteenth century to the present examining architectural, cinematic, literary, and political developments.
PrerequisitesGerman 321.
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GERM 451 Deviant Bodies in German Culture
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of literary, theatrical, and clinical representations of physical, sexual, and psychological deviance in German culture with a focus on the late nineteenth to the mid twentieth century.
PrerequisitesGerman 321.
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GERM 472 Culture Wars & Identity Debates in German Society from Empire to EU
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of literary and cinematic texts on culture and social relations in Germany from the 19th-century to the present.
PrerequisitesGerman 321 or permission of department.
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GERM 495 Independent Study
Units: .5-1
DescriptionSpecial projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.
PrerequisitesPermission of department.
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GERM 497 Selected Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionSpecial interest topics offered at department's discretion.
PrerequisitesGerman 321 or permission of department.