Major
Two majors are offered. A goal common to both majors is advanced facility in the German language.
German Major Requirements:
The German Major is concerned primarily with the study of literature. Genres, literary movements, and individual authors and themes are examined with the aim of expanding the student’s capacity for literary analysis and appreciation. The German major consists of a minimum of 10 ½ courses which should be accumulated as follows:
a. At least 7 ½ courses in German language, literature, and cinema at the 300 and 400 level. Of these, 311 and 312, two 400-level courses, including 433, and at least one semester of 315 (Writer-in-Residence) are required;
b. Of the 10 ½ courses, no more than 3 courses in translation; and
c. At least 3 courses in related literary fields, e.g., comparative literature, literary theory, or other literature courses.
A minimum of 4 courses in German language and literature (above 204) must be completed at Oberlin. Private reading courses do not normally count toward the major.
Strongly recommended correlated fields include European History, German History, History of Art, History of Music, and French and Latin. Courses in which a student has earned a letter grade lower than a C- or P cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the major.
German Studies Major Requirements:
The German Studies Major places more emphasis on cultural expressions other than literature (e.g., music, art, film, philosophy, history). It consists of a minimum of 10 ½ courses which may be accumulated as follows:
a. At least 7 ½ courses in German language, literature, and cinema courses at the 300 and 400 level. Of these, 311 and 312, two 400-level courses including 433 and at least one semester of 315 (Writer-in-Residence) are required;
b. Of the 10 ½ courses, no more than 3 courses in translation; and
c. At least 3 courses to be selected, in consultation with the German faculty, from courses with total or substantial German content in two or more disciplines other than German literature.
A minimum of 5 courses toward the German Studies major must be completed at Oberlin. Private reading courses do not normally count toward the German Studies major.
The entire German staff will constitute a special committee to administer the German Studies major.
Honors
Qualified German and German Studies majors may be invited to participate in the Honors Program. Within the framework of either the German major or the German Studies major, the Honors Program allows honors candidates to extend their competence by adding breadth and depth to the regular German curriculum. The Honors Program also serves as excellent preparation for graduate study in German. Students interested in pursuing Honors should consult the department chairperson by the beginning of the second semester of their junior year.
Qualifications for admittance: Participation in the Honors Program is competitive. Except under unusual circumstances only two students will be admitted each year. Admittance to the program requires a minimum GPA within the major of 3.5 and an overall GPA of 3.0. Potential students will be asked to submit a rationale in German describing the intended substance of the two required papers and explaining also their motivation for pursuing the honors projects. The ability to speak and write German at an advanced level (as manifested in both the rationale and in previous course work) is a firm prerequisite for admission to the German Honors Program.
Requirements: The Honors Program consists of three components:
1. Two honors papers written within the context of two 300-level or 400 level courses.
2. Completion of the Honors Reading List.
3. A two-part, written and oral honors examination conducted by a committee comprised of members of the German
Department and at least one outside evaluator.
Winter Term
The department normally offers an intensive Winter Term Beginning German course that covers the basic elements of grammar and offers practice in simple conversation. This course is not the equivalent of German 101 and does not automatically qualify students to enter 102. Students who have progressed exceptionally well in the Winter Term course, however, may upon recommendation of the instructor advance into German 102.
German staff members are available during Winter Term to sponsor individual and group projects within their discipline or areas of interest.
Language Laboratory
The Paul and Edith Cooper International Learning Center, located on the third floor of Peters Hall, is designed for both class and individual use at all levels of language learning. Audio, video, and computer materials are available for student use. Laboratory practice is encouraged for all students so that they can further develop their speaking and listening skills.
For further information, consult the German web page: www.oberlin.edu/german.
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