UMass Amherst: German and Scandinavian Studies

Courses

Graduate Courses

See a list of recent courses below

583 Methods of Teaching German

Introduction to varied methods of teaching a foreign language based on recent developments in the theory of second language acquisition and proficiency-oriented approaches to language learning. Prerequisite: advanced proficiency in German.

584 The German Language (2nd sem)

The origins and history of the German language, its relation to the Indo-European language family, particularly in relation to English. Prerequisite: GERMAN 240 or equivalent.

585 Structure of German

The course is an introduction to the phonology, morphology, and syntax of modern German intended for all students of German. Conducted in English.

592C Seminar: The German Poem- Lied (1st sem)

A detailed study of the poetic and musical structure in representative art song settings of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Aspects of German literary history and lyric poetry. Equal emphasis given to the poem and its setting, so that students whose previous experience is chiefly either literary or musical are not at a disadvantage.

594A Goethe's Divan: Orientalism 19th-Century German Culture

This seminar will focus on Goethe's early 19th-century view of Persian culture as reflected in his "West-ostlicher Divan" (1814-19) and in selected poems (Ruckert), art songs (Hugo Wolf), and art works by other 19th-century artists who responded to the fascination of the Islamic world. Participants will also up-date an unpublished English translation of Goethe's poems and commentary in a joint editorial effort that seeks greater insight into "oriental" culture, particularly since 9/11. Conducted in English.

597F History of German Film

A survey of key events and representative films that mark the history of motion pictures from 1895-1950--from the silents to television. Through analysis of major works of the international cinema, the course will explore the various influences (industrial, technological, aesthetic, social, cultural, and political) that made film the dominant medium of the 20th century. Particular emphasis will be placed on the dominance of "Hollywood" and international contributions/alternatives/challenges to that dominance. Conducted in English.

597T Eine Reise durch die Literatur des Reisens: Vom 18. Jahrhundert bis zur Gegenwart

"Whoever goes on a journey can tell stories," was the way in which Matthias Claudius formulated in the eighteenth century the nexus between travel and narrative. This course explores the many spheres in which encounters with other cultures have been represented in travel writings from the time of the Enlightenment to the present. It also familiarizes participants with a still marginalized literary genre in the academic field. Conducted in German.

601 Middle High German

Introduction to the grammar of Middle High German; reading of selected Middle High German texts.

620 Advanced Composition and Translation

Recommended to all degree candidates except those students judged to have excellent proficiency.

677 Methodology

Introduction to tools and methods of research.

697 Special Topics

Credit, 1-3.

702 Old High German

Grammar and reading of prose and poetry; an introduction to Old High German dialects.

703 Gothic

Grammar and reading of texts, consideration of historical importance of Ulfilas' biblical translation.

704 Old Norse

Grammar and reading of selections from the Icelandic sagas.

705 Old Saxon

Grammar and reading of selections from the Heliand.

715 The Heroic Epic

Detailed study of Nibelungenlied and Kudrun. Prerequisite: German 601.

716 Courtly Lyric Poetry

Introduction to formal study of Minnesang and Spruchdichtung from the Kürenberger to Konrad von Würzburg with emphasis on Walter von der Vogelweide and social and historical context of the period. Prerequisite: German 601.

717 The Courtly Epic

Comprehensive literary analysis of selected epics by Hartmann von Aue, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Gottfried von Strassburg. Prerequisite: German 601.

718 Narrative and Didactic MHG Literature

Didactic narrative from 11th to 13th century. Prerequisite: German 601.

730 Literature of the 15th and 16th Centuries

Humanism and Reformation.

733 17th-Century Poetry and Prose

Poetry and prose; relevant poetic theories.

734 17th-Century Drama

Drama and relevant poetic theories.

741 From Enlightenment to Rococo

Literary theory and practice in first half of 18th century.

742 Lessing

His literary theory in context of his time; his drama.

743 From Empfindsamkeit to Storm and Stress

749 The Classical Goethe

Major works of Goethe's Weimar period; poetry, drama, fiction.

751 Goethe's Faust

752 Schiller

Schiller's literary and philosophical works.

758 Early Romanticism

Philosophical background and literary works of early Romantic movement.

759 Later Romanticism

Later development of Romanticism from Brentano to Heine, including anti-Romantic tendencies of the time. Eichendorff.

763 19th-Century Poetry and Prose

Poetry by writers such as Heinrich Heine, Eduard Mörike, and Annette von Droste-Hülshoff and prose by writers such as Heinrich Heine and the writers of Biedermeier and Das Junge Deutschland.

764 19th-Century Drama

Kleist, Grillparzer, Büchner, Grabbe, Hebbel.

765 Literature of Realism

From Gotthelf to Fontane.

771 20th-Century Poetry I

Emphasis on George, Hofmannsthal, Rilke.

772 20th-Century Poetry II

Emphasis on expressionist and post-expressionist poetry.

773 20th-Century Prose I

Early Thomas Mann and his generation.

774 20th-Century Prose II

New trends of fiction after the First World War.

775 20th-Century Drama

From Wedekind to Handke.

779 Post-World War II Literature

782 Special Topics in Philology and Medieval Studies

783 Special Topics in the Literature of Classicism

784 Special Topics in the Literature of Romanticism

785 Special Topics in the Literature of the 19th Century

786 Special Topics in the Literature of the 20th Century

797 Special Topics