German Studies
At Emory University, German Studies is a freestanding language studies department within the Emory College of Arts & Sciences. It offers a pedagogically focused and integrated undergraduate major and minor in German studies with multiple options for study and internships abroad. In addition, the German studies faculty teach courses in Yiddish language and culture, in the Linguistics Program, The Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, the Sustainability Minor, and the Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, the Music, and the Film & Media Departments. Faced with Germany’s abhorrent Nazi past and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust as well as the legacy of German colonialism, the department is particularly committed to critically examining cultural memories of oppression and resistance, and therefore actively promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in research, coursework, and outreach.
Concentrations
Faculty
- Chair
- Caroline Schaumann
- Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Paul Buchholz
- Core
Courses
GER 100-Level Courses
Introduction to German language studies with an emphasis on the development reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities. The course does not fulfill the HAL general education requirement.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall, Summer (Vienna). The first of the two-course sequence (101-102) that introduces students to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the German language through an exploration of the different identities of young adults in the United States and the German-speaking world.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring, Summer (Vienna). The second of the two-course sequence (101-102) that introduces students to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the German language through an exploration of the different identities of young adults in the United States and the German-speaking world.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring. Credit, eight. Content identical with 101 and 102 but taught in one semester.
- Credit Hours
- 8
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
In-depth treatment of a topic in language, literature, or culture.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- FS
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall and spring. Credit, one. Opportunity for beginners to practice German.
- Credit Hours
- 1
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
GER 200-Level Courses
Fall, Summer (Vienna). The first of the two-course sequence (201-202) that explores how different societal factors have affected German-speaking young adults' coming of age and draws comparisons with English language cultures. Continued focus on development of students' German language abilities.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring, Summer (Vienna). The second of the two-course sequence (201-202) that explores how different societal factors have affected German-speaking young adults' coming of age and draws comparisons with English language cultures. Continued focus on development of students' German language abilities.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall. Intended for graduate students and others who wish to concentrate on learning to read German. No previous knowledge of German is required.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Content identical to 201 and 202 but taught intensively in one semester.
- Credit Hours
- 8
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Course offers an overview of the origins, development, and outcomes of National Socialism. It covers: the rise of Nazi Party, establishment of dictatorship, emergence of racial state, life of Jews and social outsiders, road to war, WWII, occupation of Europe, resistance, euthanasia, the Holocaust.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 218
- JS 218
A broad introduction to the history, literature, and film of Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Europe and America. All texts in English translation.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- JS 230
This topic has been previously offered in the framework of an FSEM, but the time committment and level of engagement make a dedicated 200-level course a better fit to fully realize the goals of the course. The topic has drawn great student interest.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
The course provides an overview of the history of modern German Jewry, from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, in its social and cultural context with a focus on literary and philosophical controversies on Jewish emancipation, marginalization, and accounts on Jewish life in Germany.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- JS 281
Introductory study of issues central to the understanding of history, culture, and politics in German or Yiddish speaking countries. A given topic will provide the focus; the method of inquiry will be interdisciplinary.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Supervised study in the reading of cultural and literary texts and/or other aspects of German cultural production. Course may be repeated with a different focus.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 3
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
GER 300-Level Courses
Advanced study of grammar and stylistics; intensive practice in writing German.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall. The first part of the GER 301-302 sequence, focusing on the changing portrayal of love in German cultural narratives (prose, drama, essays, poetry, film). The course introduces students to reading and discussing literary texts in German and is designed to foster academic writing in German.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall. The first part of the GER 301-302 sequence, focusing on the changing portrayal of love in German cultural narratives (prose, drama, essays, poetry, film). The course introduces students to reading and discussing literary texts in German and is designed to foster academic writing in German.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring. Continuation of GER 301 in its thematic focus on the changing portrayal of love in German cultural narratives. Course materials include a variety of texts (prose, drama, essays, poetry, film). Introduces students to textual analysis and is designed to foster academic writing in German.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring. Continuation of GER 301 in its thematic focus on the changing portrayal of love in German cultural narratives. Course materials include a variety of texts (prose, drama, essays, poetry, film). Introduces students to textual analysis and is designed to foster academic writing in German.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An examination of how the German-speaking world has portrayed different nations, nationalities, and peoples in its history. Focus will be on the significance of these portrayals for understanding the social, cultural, political, and economic conditions in the German-speaking world at the time.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- ICE
- Requisites
- GER 202 or GER_OX 202 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
An examination of how the German-speaking world has portrayed different nations, nationalities, and peoples in its history. Focus will be on the significance of these portrayals for understanding the social, cultural, political, and economic conditions in the German-speaking world at the time.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICWE
- Requisites
- GER 202 or GER_OX 202 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Discussion of a variety of personal texts and practice of personal writing in its manifold forms, including autobiography, narrative, essay, or opinion piece. May include attention to reader reception and experimentation with expressing the self by relating emotions, experiences, and reactions.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
This course examines medicine in Germany from 1933 to 1945 and the extreme examples of the excesses of modern medical culture it provides.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 315
- JS 315
This course examines medicine in Germany from 1933 to 1945 and the extreme examples of the excesses of modern medical culture it provides.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 315W
- JS 315W
An investigation into the functioning of the natural world in Germanophone cultural documents to provide a critical and historical understanding of current debates on climate change, pollution, urban development, and other forms of nature-culture interactions.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Political, intellectual, and social history of Germany since the eighteenth century. Particular emphasis on German unification, the Weimar Republic, and Nazi Germany.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 318
Fall. Development of linguistic and communication skills needed in the transaction of business in and with German speaking countries, combined with an introduction to the major economic, political, social, and cultural factors affecting such transactions.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Spring. Continued development of linguistic and communication skills needed in the transaction of business in and with German speaking countries, combined with an introduction to the major economic, political, social, and cultural factors affecting such transactions.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Reading, discussion, and analysis of selected works of prose fiction from the German-speaking world.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Reading, discussion, and analysis of selected works of prose fiction from the German-speaking world.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Thorough analysis of poetic forms in historical perspective. Focus on selected poems and representative dramas from the enlightenment to contemporary experiments and on the act and art of reading.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Close analysis of poetic forms using a variety of approaches. Focuses on literary, cultural, or historical interpretations of selected poems from the Middle Ages to contemporary experiments and on the act and art of reading. Includes attention to form, content, and context.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
This course introduces translation theory and hands-on practice in multiple contexts. It is theoretical, methodological, creative. Students engage in multiple forms of translation (inverse, intra and inter-lingual) and meet regularly both as a whole class and in individual language-specific groups.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- SPAN 336
- CHN 336
- ITAL 336
- JPN 336
- KRN 336
Taught in English. History of German cinema and close analysis of selected films. May include silent films, New German Cinema, contemporary film. No knowledge of German language, history, culture, or background in film studies required.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. History of German cinema and close analysis of selected films. May include silent films, New German Cinema, contemporary film. No knowledge of German language, history, culture, or background in film studies required.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HAPW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Readings and discussion of major works of German literature and culture organized around theme and/or genre.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Readings and discussion of major works of German literature and culture organized around theme and/or genre.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HAPW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. Interdisciplinary course with focus on current issues in German-speaking countries. Seminar format, with occasional lectures.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Focusing on the history and legacy of National Socialism in Germany and occupied Europe, this course will analyze how fascism and film developed in tandem since the First World War, and how film has subsequently shaped the way that both fascism and anti-fascism are understood and remembered.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- FILM 365
Explores encounters by Austro-German Jewish musicians and writers with ideas of modernity from 1900 through the 1950s, including responses to the Weimar Republic, the Holocaust, and postwar emigration. Cases studied include Gustav and Alma Mahler, Freud, Arthur Schnitzler and Arnold Schoenberg
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- MUS 369
Explores encounters by Austro-German Jewish musicians and writers with ideas of modernity from 1900 through the 1950s, including responses to the Weimar Republic, the Holocaust, and postwar emigration. Cases studied include Gustav and Alma Mahler, Freud, Arthur Schnitzler and Arnold Schoenberg
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- MUS 369W
Summer (Vienna). Intensive study of Austrian culture within a historical framework. Lectures and discussions concern history, art, architecture, music, literature, and everyday life. For full details, see special brochure published annually.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Summer (Vienna). Intensive study of Austrian culture within a historical framework. Lectures and discussions concern history, art, architecture, music, literature, and everyday life. For full details, see special brochure published annually.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. An interdisciplinary course intended to provide in-depth study of formative elements, influences, and movements in German-speaking culture(s). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. An interdisciplinary course intended to provide in-depth study of formative elements, influences, and movements in German-speaking culture(s). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in German. An interdisciplinary course intended to provide in-depth study of formative elements, influences, and movements in German-speaking culture(s). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in German. An interdisciplinary course intended to provide in-depth study of formative elements, influences, and movements in German-speaking culture(s). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An in-depth study of selected topics in German linguistics (e.g., History of the German language; Analyzing Contemporary German Discourse). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An in-depth study of selected topics in German linguistics (e.g., History of the German language; Analyzing Contemporary German Discourse). May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall, spring. Credit, one. Discussion of current topics. May be repeated for credit. Required for German majors.
- Credit Hours
- 1
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
GER 400-Level Courses
Aims to continue students' development toward advanced language proficiency by an in-depth study of the history of cinema or media, and a close analytics of selected films of digital media. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 3 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development towards advanced language proficiency by the intensive study of an author, genre, or period in literature or philosophy. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development towards advanced language proficiency by the intensive study of an author, genre, or period in literature or philosophy. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development toward advanced language proficiency by providing a historically informed overview of select German-speaking cities, places, or regions. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
- Credit Hours
- 3 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Explores the concept of Heimat as central to cultural engagements in the German-speaking world since the late eighteenth century, foregrounding voices marginalized because of their race or ethnicity.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- ICE
- Requisites
- GER 300 level courses-wildcard. Any 300 level GER or GER_OX courses.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development toward advanced language proficiency by the in-depth, interdisciplinary study of the history, literature, and film of Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Europe and America. Topic to be announced to advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development toward the advanced language proficiency by an interdisciplinary inquiry of the formative elements, influences, and movements of contemporary culture and civilization. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies
- Credit Hours
- 3 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development toward advanced language proficiency by thematically exploring minority culture, including Jewish, Turkish, Afro-German, or exile literature. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies
- Credit Hours
- 3 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- GER 301 and GER 302 as prerequisite
- Cross-Listed
- None
Introduces students to the basic elements of discourse analysis, and then applied this methodology to German language communication in a range of contexts. The focus of the analyses will be on both the specific linguistic features and the cultural meanings of language use in communication.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Introduces students to the basic elements of discourse analysis, and then applied this methodology to German language communication in a range of contexts. The focus of the analyses will be on both the specific linguistic features and the cultural meanings of language use in communication.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Aims to continue students' development towards advanced language proficiency by the intensive study of music, theater, opera, or dance. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- This course requires GER 301&302 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- None
Practical application of language abilities in a German-speaking professional setting such as high schools, companies, or governmental agencies of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 8
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. In-depth study of issues central to the understanding of history, culture, and politics in German-speaking countries. A given topic (e.g., the Weimar Republic, 1968, Martin Luther) will provide the focus; the method of inquiry will be interdisciplinary.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An interdisciplinary course intended to provide a comprehensive, historically oriented overview of the formative elements, influences, and movements of German culture and civilization. Taught in German.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An interdisciplinary course intended to provide a comprehensive, historically oriented overview of the formative elements, influences, and movements of German culture and civilization. Taught in German.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. Intensive study of an author, genre, or period. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Recent topics include Thomas Mann, the experimental novel, the Grail, Faust, Portraits of the Artist.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Taught in English. Intensive study of an author, genre, or period. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Recent topics include Thomas Mann, the experimental novel, the Grail, Faust, Portraits of the Artist.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- HAPW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Intensive study of an author, genre, or period. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Recent topics: German women writers, literature of the German Democratic Republic, the theater in Vienna, Brecht, the experimental novel.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Intensive study of an author, genre, or period. Topic to be announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Recent topics: German women writers, literature of the German Democratic Republic, the theater in Vienna, Brecht, the experimental novel.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
In-depth study of dramatic forms from Enlightenment to Naturalism. May focus on one playwright, genre, period, or theme or provide an overview. May include the practice of reading aloud or the staging of a drama. Familiarizes students with genres, concepts, terms, and contexts of stage productions.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Intensive, hands-on research on a given topic in German-speaking culture.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall, spring. Critical approaches to the analysis and interpretation of German texts. Acquisition of independent scholarly research skills to be applied toward an honors thesis.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- XA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Fall, spring. Critical approaches to the analysis and interpretation of German texts. Acquisition of independent scholarly research skills to be applied toward an honors thesis.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 8
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Variable credit. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of eight hours.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Variable credit, may be repeated for up to 12 Semester Hours.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
YDD 100-Level Courses
Reading and writing skills in Yiddish as well as the study of Yiddish culture as it has developed through history.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Reading and writing skills in Yiddish as well as the study of Yiddish culture as it has developed through history. Continuation of YDD 101.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
YDD 200-Level Courses
Intermediate Yiddish will build on knowledge gained in Beginning Yiddish, continuing to emphasize, reading, speaking and writing. Course will draw on a textbook as well as on authentic cultural artifacts including written texts, films, videos, songs and games.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Intermediate Yiddish will build on knowledge gained in Beginning Yiddish, continuing to emphasize, reading, speaking and writing. Course will draw on a textbook as well as on authentic cultural artifacts including written texts, films, videos, songs and games.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
YDD 300-Level Courses
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 12
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None