CLAYTON KOELB, Chair
Jonathan Hess (3) Eighteenth-Century Studies, German-Jewish Cultural History, Aesthetics and Literary Theory, Philosophy and Literature
Clayton Koelb (4) Modern Literature (Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka), Literary Theory, Philosophy and Aesthetics, Comparative Literature
Alice A. Kuzniar (5) Romanticism, Cinema Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Comparative Literature
Siegfried Mews (7) Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Literature (Bertolt Brecht, Günter Grass, etc.), Literature and Politics, Comparative Literature
David Pike (8) Twentieth-Century Literature, East German and Soviet Culture and Politics
Paul T. Roberge (9) Historical Linguistics, Older Germanic Dialects, Comparative Germanic Grammar, Pidgins and Creoles, Afrikaans, Language, Ethnicity, and Politics
Kathryn Starkey (10) Medieval Literature, Visuality and Textuality, Gender and Sexuality, Historical Linguistics, Older Germanic Dialects
Richard Langston (6) Postwar and Contemporary Literature, Avant-Garde Studies, Popular Culture and Literature, Literary and Cultural Theory
Helga Bister (2) Dialectology, Contact and Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics
Tanya Kinsella (15)
Dan Thornton (17) Postwar German and Austrian Literature, Expressionism, Neue Sachlichkeit, Golden Age and Twentieth-Century Dutch Literature, Holocaust Studies, Jewish Literature in the Diaspora
Walter K. Francke
Richard H. Lawson
Christoph E. Schweitzer
Sidney R. Smith
Petrus W. Tax
The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of arts and doctor of philosophy. Students concentrate in either German Literature and Culture, or Germanic Linguistics.
PLEASE NOTE: At this time the department is accepting applications for the German Literature and Culture program only.
The faculty welcomes and encourages the pursuit of interdisciplinary interests, and students regularly take courses offered by other academic units in the University (e.g., the Curriculum of Comparative Literature, the Program in Cultural Studies, and the departments of History, Linguistics, and Communication Studies). Students regularly take advantage of courses taught in literary and cultural theory in other departments, and the faculty also encourages students to take courses at nearby Duke University. Within the broad requirements of The Graduate School and the department, every effort is made to meet the student's individual needs. The department ordinarily expects at least one year of teaching experience as part of the graduate program, and provides rigorous training in German language teaching methodology (GERM 700).
Prospective students should examine the document, "Guide to Graduate Studies in German," which describes departmental curricula and requirements in detail. It is available on the Web at www.unc.edu/depts/german.
Admission: Applicants normally should have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in German or a related field.
Requirements: The MA degree is designed to be completed in four semesters. A minimum of thirty semester hours (typically ten courses) is required, and must include GERM 700 and 993 (MA thesis credit), as well as GERM 501 (Structure of German) and GERM 502 (Middle High German). Either 501 or 502 will be offered every year, on a rotating basis. (In special circumstances, where scheduling makes it difficult for both of these courses to be taken in the MA curriculum, students may, in consultation with the director of graduate studies, either substitute another course for 501 or 502 or take either 501 or 502 during the first year of PhD coursework.) Ordinarily it is expected that MA students will write a minimum of three course papers during the first year.
Students concentrating in German literature and culture are also required to take GERM 615 and 616 and a comprehensive MA examination, ordinarily at the beginning of the fourth semester. The reading list for the examination consists of a list of at least twenty-five titles, compiled by the student in consultation with his/her advisor, and representing all the major periods and genres of German literature. The twenty-five titles may include as many works from the GERM 615-616 reading lists as the student and advisor deem suitable. The GERM 615-616 syllabi are included in the "Guide to Graduate Studies in German."
Courses numbered at the 400 level may count toward the MA degree only with special approval of the director of graduate studies.
The MA thesis is a scholarly paper of approximately forty-five pages, the final signed copy of which is due no later than the last day of classes of the fourth semester.
Admission: Applicants normally should have completed a master's degree in German or the equivalent. Only those students who have demonstrated academic excellence at the MA level will be admitted to the PhD program.
Requirements: The PhD requires a total of twenty-four semester hours beyond those required for the MA. This typically amounts to six courses beyond the MA degree (if received from UNC-Chapel Hill) with an additional six hours of dissertation credit (GERM 994). For the most part, PhD students pursue individualized programs of study.
Students concentrating in German literature and culture elect courses in consultation with their adviser so as to gain exposure to different periods (medieval, early modern, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries) and to a variety of critical approaches to the study of literature and culture. PhD students are expected to enroll in no fewer than four courses (beyond those required for the MA) for which a final paper is required.
Courses numbered at the 400 level may count toward the MA degree only with special approval of the director of graduate studies.
Students who have earned MA degrees at other institutions should consult with the director of graduate studies regarding the transfer of credit. Students from other institutions take GERM 700 during their first year of teaching at UNC-Chapel Hill.
PhD students must demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language (other than German) deemed relevant to a particular course of study. This is usually French, but students may petition the department to substitute another language. Students normally take the PhD examination at the end of the second year of doctoral studies. The PhD examination allows students to investigate areas of particular interest (from which a dissertation topic will emerge), while it observes The Graduate School's requirement of comprehensiveness.
To be admitted to candidacy for the degree of doctor of philosophy, students must have completed all course work, fulfilled the foreign language requirement, passed the PhD examination, and developed a satisfactory dissertation prospectus. All students must write an acceptable dissertation based on independent research.
The department nominates outstanding students for competitive non-service fellowships awarded by The Graduate School. In order to be fully considered for these competitive fellowships, applicants should ensure that all application materials arrive by January 1. A varying number of teaching assistantships are awarded annually to qualified graduate students. Duties involve teaching German at the elementary or intermediate level, or leading recitations (in English or in German) for large undergraduate lecture courses on German literature, culture, and philosophy. The department recommends those receiving assistantships for special tuition awards, including remission of out-of-state tuition. To receive priority consideration for such departmental financial aid, applications must be received by January 31.
The duration of financial aid is usually two years at the master's level and three to four years at the doctoral level. However, reappointment and continuation of support depend critically on satisfactory academic progress and performance of duties (where applicable).
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, DAAD) that will enable them to spend a year in residence at a German university. The Graduate School offers dissertation fellowships on a competitive basis to support dissertation research both on- and off-campus.
Each year, the department selects one graduate student to go to Mannheim, Germany, to take part in an educational and teaching exchange program. A graduate student from Mannheim spends the year studying at UNC-Chapel Hill, teaching in the department, and acting as the resident assistant for the German House.
The University library has outstanding holdings in German literature, Germanic linguistics, literary theory, and general linguistics, with further materials available from nearby Duke University (especially valuable for the Jantz Collection of Baroque Literature and German-Americana). A good collection of basic reference works and standard editions is available to students in the department reading room. The language laboratory has not only instructional tapes but also much other recorded material, such as German plays, songs, and dialect recordings.
601, 602 [101X, 102X] ELEMENTARY GERMAN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS (3 each). Designed as preparation for the reading knowledge examination for higher degrees. Passing of the examination at the end of 602 certifies that this requirement has been satisfied, although the course does not count for graduate credit. Three hours a week. (NOTE: 601 or permission of instructor is required as a prerequisite for 602.) Fall and spring.
400 [100] ADVANCED GERMAN GRAMMAR (3). A study of current German structure and usage. This course strengthens the writing of graduate students and helps them confront the problems most frequently faced in speaking and teaching.
500 [160] HISTORY OF THE GERMAN LANGUAGE (3). Prerequisite, a good reading knowledge of German. Development of sounds and forms from ancient times to the present. Political, social, and literary forces influencing the language. Recommended for first semester of graduate study.
501 [165] THE STRUCTURE OF MODERN GERMAN (3). Introduction to the formal analysis of German grammar (phonology, morphophonemics, prosodics, morphology syntax) within the framework of generative grammar.
502 [171] MIDDLE HIGH GERMAN (3). Introduction to medieval German language and literature.
505 [272] EARLY NEW HIGH GERMAN (3). Reading and linguistic analysis of Early New High German texts, with study of phonology, morphology, and syntax. (On demand.)
508 [270] OLD HIGH GERMAN (3). Reading and linguistic analysis of Old High German texts, with study of phonology, morphology, and syntax; comparison of the various dialects with other older dialects of Germanic. (On demand.)
511 [275] OLD SAXON (3). Reading and linguistic study of biblical texts (Heliand, Genesis) in Old Saxon, with study of phonology, morphology, and syntax; comparison with Old English, Old High German, and other Germanic dialects. (On demand.)
514 [260] OLD NORSE I (OLD ICELANDIC) (3). Reading and linguistic analysis of Old Norse (Old Icelandic) texts, with study of phonology, morphology, and syntax; comparison with other older dialects of Germanic. (On demand.)
515 [261] OLD NORSE II (OLD ICELANDIC) (3). Continuation of Old Norse I. (On demand.)
517 [255] GOTHIC (3). Reading and linguistic analysis of Gothic biblical texts, with study of phonology, morphology, and syntax; comparison with other older dialects of Germanic. (On demand.)
520 [155] STYLISTICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE (3). A survey of stylistic theories and practices in literature and linguistics; analysis of a large variety of texts; written exercises; training in the use of stylistic devices.
521 [175] VARIATION IN GERMAN (3). A comprehensive account of major topics in German sociolinguistics: development of the German language, traditional dialects, variation in contemporary colloquial speech, German as a minority language (Alsace, Belgium), German outside of Germany (Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg).
542 [172] PIDGINS AND CREOLES (ANTH 542) (LING 542)(3). LING 101 or 101H or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Examination of the linguistic features of pidgin and creole languages, the sociohistorical context of their development, and their import for current theoretical issues (acquisition, universals, language change).
545 [180] PROBLEMS IN GERMANIC LINGUISTICS (3). Special problems will be selected for intensive investigation. The subject matter of the course will be adapted to the particular interests of the students and instructor.
549 [285] TOPICS IN GERMANIC LINGUISTICS (3). Prerequisites, GERM 301, 302, and 303, or equivalent or permission of instructor.
605 [280] COMPARATIVE GERMANIC GRAMMAR (3). Analysis of phonological and morphological development from Indo-European to the older stages of Germanic dialects. Special attention to laryngeal hypothesis, Benveniste root theory, and structure of nouns, pronouns, and verbs. Student presentations.
DTCH 402 [105] ELEMENTARY DUTCH (3). Rapid introduction to modern Dutch with emphasis on all fundamental components of communication.
DTCH 403 [106] INTERMEDIATE DUTCH (3). Focuses on increased skills in speaking, listening, reading, global comprehension and communication. Emphasis on reading and discussion of longer texts.
DTCH 404 [107] ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE DUTCH (3). Aims to increase proficiency in language skills (reading, speaking, and writing) and is constructed around a series of themes meant to introduce students to Dutch society, culture, and history.
*Courses numbered 620-689 may be taken for three credit hours (final examination required) or students may concurrently enroll in GERM 705 for an additional one credit hour. The four-credit-hour option requires a term paper and is available to German department graduate students only.
615 [111] HISTORY OF GERMAN LITERATURE I (3). First part of a two-semester sequence offering students a comprehensive, text-based survey of German literary history from the High Middle Ages to the present.
616 [112] HISTORY OF GERMAN LITERATURE II (3). Second part of a two-semester sequence offering students a comprehensive, text-based survey of German literary history from the High Middle Ages to the present.
625* [115*] EARLY MODERN LITERATURE (3). German literature of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
630* [120*] EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3). German literature in the Age of Enlightenment. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
640* [125*] EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3). German literature of the Romantic Period. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
645* [130*] LATER NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3). The literature of Realism, Naturalism, and related movements. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
650* [135*] EARLY TWENTIETH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3). Major figures of the period from the turn of the century to the Second World War. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
655* [140*] LATER TWENTIETH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3). Literature since World War II in the Federal Republic, the former GDR, Austria, and Switzerland. Close readings, lectures, and discussions of representative texts.
700 [205] TEACHING METHODS AND MATERIALS (3). For prospective teachers of German. Required of all teaching assistants. Fall.
703 [206] ADVANCED TOPICS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY (3). Prerequisite, GERM 700. This seminar provides experienced teaching assistants the opportunity to revisit the fundamentals in foreign language pedagogy while exploring in greater depth advanced issues like content-based instruction, technology, and supervising.
705 [115E] ESSAY COURSE (1). Corequisite, a German Department course numbered 620-689. Courses numbered 620-689 may be taken in conjunction with GERM 705 for one additional credit hour. Requires a term paper. Available to German Department graduate students only. Fall or spring.
820 [210] TOPICS IN MEDIEVAL LITERATURE (3).
825 [215] TOPICS IN EARLY MODERN LITERATURE (3).
830 [220] TOPICS IN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3).
840 [225] TOPICS IN EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3).
845 [230] TOPICS IN LATER NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3).
850 [235] TOPICS IN EARLY TWENTIETH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3).
855 [240] TOPICS IN LATER TWENTIETH-CENTURY LITERATURE (3).
860 [250] TOPICS IN AESTHETICS AND CRITICISM (3).
865 [245] TOPICS IN GERMAN CULTURAL STUDIES (3).
870 [246] TOPICS IN GENDER STUDIES (3).
875 [247] TOPICS IN GERMAN JEWISH STUDIES (3).
880 [248] TOPICS IN GERMAN CINEMA (3).
896 [299] INDEPENDENT READINGS (Var.). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor and the director of graduate studies. Special readings and research in a selected field or topic outside the scope of current course offerings.
980 [345] SEMINAR IN GERMAN LITERATURE (3).
985 [361] SEMINAR IN GERMANIC LINGUISTICS (3).
993 [393] MASTER'S THESIS (Var.).
994 [394] DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (Var.).