2007-2008 Course Schedule

For more information regarding courses, please go to the Oberlin College Online Catalog. Also, click here for courses offered in alternate years.

Language Courses (offered every year)

101, 102. Elementary German (5 hours)
5HU, CD

101 and 102 comprise the first and second half of a two semester Elementary German course of study. Acquisition of the fundamentals of grammar along with practice in speaking and writing. Grammar coverage will extend over both semesters. Early introduction of spoken German, with reading and discussion of graded literary texts in GERM 101 and GERM 102. Second semester classes taught chiefly in German. Use of language laboratory encouraged. Enrollment Limit: 22.

101 Instructors: E. Hamilton, T. Wild, I. Bruenner
102 Instructors: E. Hamilton, H. Tewarson

203, 204. Intermediate German (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First (203) and Second (204) Semester. Increasing mastery of the basic skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing). Selective grammar review in 203. Readings of narrative prose, drama, and poetry by mainly contemporary authors, along with cultural/historical texts from the 19th and 20th centuries. Completion of Intermediate German will enable students to read a broad range of literary and non-literary texts and to conduct research in their major fields. Prerequisite: GERM 102 or qualification by placement test. Enrollment Limit: 15.

203 Instructors: H. Tewarson, T. Wild
204 Instructors: S. Huff, H. Tewarson

305. Conversation and Composition (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First Semester. Expansion and refinement of speaking, writing, and listening skills through a variety of in-class activities (including films and writing). Readings and discussions will cover topics of current social, political, and cultural interest in the German-language countries as reflected in the media and in essays and articles by creative writers. Prerequisite: GERM 204 or equivalent. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Instructor: I. Brünner

Topics in Translation

333. Special Topics in English Translation: Berlin in Literature and Film (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First Semester. Throughout Germany’s turbulent twentieth-century history, Berlin has been its political and cultural capital. Here, literature and film provide exceptional insights. In our course, we shall explore these interconnections through poems, essays, novels (e.g. Döblin’s Berlin Alexanderplatz), and films (e.g. Wilder’s One, Two, Three). We shall learn about different periods, such as the “Russian Berlin”, the divided city, or the multicultural Berlin of today. One overarching question will be: To what extent can literature and film be an archive of its time? Enrollment Limit: 30.

Instructor: T. Wild

This course is cross-referenced with Cinema Studies and also counts towards that major.

345. The Seventies, the Germanies, the Cinema (3 hours)
3HU, WR, CD

Second Semester. East and West Germany formed the geographical front line of the Cold War. The ideological and political division that began in 1949 shaped two states in which cinema played pivotal, though differing roles. This course explores the dynamic cultural developments of 1970's West and East Germany through a comparative study of these parallel national cinemas. Lecture and discussion in English. Films in German with English subtitles. Cross referenced with Cine 345. Enrollment limit: 30.

Instructor: E. Hamilton

Prerequisite: CINE 101 or the equivalent of one German course. This course is cross referenced with Cinema Studies and also counts towards that major.

Film Studies

333. Special Topics in English Translation: Berlin in Literature and Film (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First Semester. See description above.

Instructor: T. Wild

345. The Seventies, the Germanies, the Cinema (3 hours)
3HU, WR, CD

Second Semester. See description above.

Ms. Hamilton

Advanced Literature Courses

304. Max Kade German Writer-in-Residence (1 hour)
1HU, CD

First Semester. Reading and discussion of selected writings of the 2007 Max Kade German Writer-in-Residence. Prerequisite: One 300-level course or equivalent knowledge of German. Notes: Course may be repeated for major credit. CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Instructor: Uwe Kolbe

311. Introduction to German Literature I (3 hours)
3HU, CD

Second Semester. A study of major movements, problems, and oeuvres in the literature from the 18th to the mid-19th century (Enlightenment through Romanticism). Prose, drama, and poetry by Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, Kleist, and others. This course is intended for students who have not yet done 400-level work in German literature. Prerequisite: GERM 204 or equivalent. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Instructor: S. Huff

312. Introduction to German Literature II (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First Semester. Masterpieces of drama, narrative prose, and poetry from the mid-19th century to the modern period, including works by Büchner, Grillparzer, Thomas Mann, Kafka, and Brecht. This course is intended for students who have not yet done 400-level work in German literature. Prerequisite: GERM 204 or equivalent. Enrollment Limit: 20.

Instructor: E. Hamilton

428. Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, Else Lasker-Schüler (3 hours)
3HU, CD

First Semester. This course will focus on the writings of three great authors of the early twentieth century. In addition to the literary works (novellas, short stories, novels, and poetry), we shall draw on letters and diaries to further explore the beginnings of modernism.

Instructor: H. Tewarson

433. Multicultural Aspects in Recent German Literature (Senior Seminar)
3HU, CD

Second Semester. Topic to be announced. A study of the works of one or more oustanding authors, or of a special theme. The subject matter changes from year to year. Note: Required of all German majors. Prerequisite: One 400-level course or consent of instructor.

Instructor: H. Tewarson

505. Honors in German (1-6 hours)
1-6HU

Consent of instructor required.

995. Private Reading (1-3 hours)
1-3HU, CD

Consent of instructor required.