German Studies (GERST)Arts and Sciences

Showing 27 results.

Course descriptions provided by the Courses of Study 2024-2025.

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - December 13, 2024 7:37PM EST
  • Course Catalog - December 13, 2024 7:09PM EST

GERST 1109
FWS: From Fairy Tales to the Uncanny: Exploring the Romantic Consciousness

How did bawdy tales of peasants using magic to climb the social ladder get transformed into moral lessons for children?  The answer lies in Romanticism and its appropriation of the imagination as a force ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 20542 GERST 1109   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

GERST 1121
FWS: Writing Berlin

Berlin is a city that reinvents itself by rewriting itself. In this writing seminar, we'll study a variety of literary, visual, and sonic texts to create a mythical map of the city from its emergence as ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19632 GERST 1121   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Strateman, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19633 GERST 1121   SEM 102

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Gutfeld, T

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

GERST 1125
FWS: Media Studies

What is a medium? How do new media relate to old media? What differentiates information contents from medial containers, aesthetic forms, and technical formats? To address such questions, media studies ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19628 GERST 1125   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Born, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

GERST 1170
FWS: Marx, Nietzsche, Freud

A basic understanding of Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud is a prerequisite for participating in critical debates in the humanities and social sciences. Our seminar will explore key terms in the revolutionary ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19745 GERST 1170   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Waite, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19746 GERST 1170   SEM 102

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Groundwater-Schuldt, W

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    For more information about First-Year Writing Seminars, see the Knight Institute website at http://knight.as.cornell.edu/.

GERST 1210
Exploring German Contexts I

Students develop basic abilities in listening, reading, writing, and speaking German in meaningful contexts through interaction in small group activities. Course materials including videos, short articles, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8715 GERST 1210   SEM 101

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Reynders, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Intended for: students with no prior experience in German language or based on German Placement test result.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8716 GERST 1210   SEM 102

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Matthias Phelps, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Intended for: students with no prior experience in German language or based on German Placement test result.

GERST 1220
Exploring German Contexts II

Students build on their basic knowledge of German by engaging in intense and more sustained interaction in the language. Students learn more advanced language structures allowing them to express more complex ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8960 GERST 1220   SEM 101

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Brady, B

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 or based on German Placement test result.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8961 GERST 1220   SEM 102

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Thakore, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 or based on German Placement test result.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8962 GERST 1220   SEM 103

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Witchey, L

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 or based on German Placement test result.

GERST 1230
Expanding the German Dossier

Students continue to develop their language skills by discussing a variety of cultural topics and themes in the German-speaking world. The focus of the course is on expanding vocabulary, reviewing major ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3033 GERST 1230   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Wang, W

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 and GERST 1220.

GERST 2000
Germany: Intercultural Context

Students examine important aspects of present-day German culture while expanding and strengthening their reading, writing, and speaking skills in German. Materials for each topic are selected from a variety ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3021 GERST 2000   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Villalobos, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1220 plus German placement result or GERST 1230. A content-based language course on the intermediate level.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3022 GERST 2000   SEM 102

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • McBride, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 1220 plus German placement result or GERST 1230. A content-based language course on the intermediate level.

GERST 2020
Literary Texts and Contexts

Babylon Berlin is the most expensive and elaborate television series in German history. The neo-noir police procedural set in a mythical Berlin of 1929 was already a global hit when it entered its current, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 20584 GERST 2020   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • McBride, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 2000, or equivalent, or placement by examination. Taught in German. Can be used in partial fulfillment of the humanities distribution requirement. Students must take one of the following courses as a prerequisite for Study Abroad in a German-speaking country: GERST 2020, GERST 2040, or GERST 2060. This course counts toward the German Studies Minor.

GERST 2060
German in Business Culture

Learn German and understand German business culture at the same time. This is a German language course that examines the German economic structure and its major components: industry, trade unions, the ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  4112 GERST 2060   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Lischke, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 2000 or by German placement test or Cornell Advanced Standing Exam (CASE). Students without previous knowledge of Business German are welcome. Taught in German.

GERST 2703
Thinking Media

From hieroglyphs to HTML, ancient poetry to audiotape, and Plato's cave to virtual reality, "Thinking Media" offers a multidisciplinary introduction to the most influential media formats of the last three ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •  5306 GERST 2703   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Moseley, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3013
German Language Across the Curriculum (LAC)

This 1-credit optional course aims to expand the students' vocabulary, and advance their speaking and reading skills as well as enhance their knowledge and deepen their cultural understanding by supplementing ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1 Credit Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Introduction to Comparative Government & Politics

  •  5223 GERST 3013   SEM 101

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Conducted in German. Corequisite: GOVT 1313.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

GERST 3080
Walking the Line: East and West Germany Then and Now

This course is aimed to increase your linguistic competencies in German, your cultural awareness, as well as critical thinking skills. We will discuss different perspectives of the German Reunification ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3015 GERST 3080   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Matthias Phelps, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Taught in German. Prerequisite: GERST 2020, GERST 2040, GERST 2060, or equivalent. German Studies majors may count this toward the 3000-3209-level language requirement.

GERST 3290
Mean Streets: German Crime and Detective Fiction

This class surveys the history and contemporary developments of crime and detective fiction in German. In addition, we may read a number of theoretical reflections on the figure of the detective, the history ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17647 GERST 3290   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Gilgen, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: any course at the 3000-3209-level in German or permission of instructor. Taught in German.

GERST 3575
Introduction to Black German Studies

During her time in Germany, the U.S. poet Audre Lorde (who described herself as "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior poet") sought out community and encouraged Black Germans to speak up and make themselves ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 3575, FGSS 3575, LGBT 3575

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 19487 GERST 3575   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Schoppelrei, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3580
Nineteenth Century Philosophy

Survey of nineteenth century philosophy. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: PHIL 3250

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 18195 GERST 3580   LEC 001

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Kosch, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 4380
Imagining Utopia

Why is it easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism? At a time when reality appears dystopian, many are quick to dismiss utopian visions as naïve or irresponsible. In this seminar, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 4380, ENGL 4380, FGSS 4380

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 19507 GERST 4380   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Jarris, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 4520
Independent Study

Undergraduate student and faculty advisor to determine course of study and credit hours. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3020 GERST 4520   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies
    To apply: first discuss the Independent Study with the course supervisor, and then complete the online Independent Study form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Project Session Full. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5325 GERST 4520   IND 602

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies
    To apply: first discuss the Independent Study with the course supervisor, and then complete the online Independent Study form at https://data.arts.cornell.edu/as-stus/indep_study_intro.cfm.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

GERST 4530
Honors Research

The Reading Course is administered by the director of the honors thesis. It carries 4 hours credit, and may be counted towards the work required for the German Major. The reading concentrates ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  •  4182 GERST 4530   RSC 701

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Directed Research

    Department Consent Required (Add)

GERST 4540
Honors Thesis

The thesis is to be written on a subject related to the work done in GERST 4530.  A suggested length for the thesis is 50-60 pages. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  3019 GERST 4540   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Siegel, E

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies
    Prerequisite: GERST 4530.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 18312 GERST 4540   IND 602

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • McBride, D

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies
    Prerequisite: GERST 4530.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

GERST 6320
Reading Academic German II

Emphasis on development of the specialized vocabulary of student's field of study. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17645 GERST 6320   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Spadoni, N

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisite: GERST 6310 or equivalent.
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

GERST 6340
German Romanticism

This graduate seminar introduces major authors, themes, and problems in European -- also German -- literature, philosophy, art, and critical theory from ca. 1770 to 1830.  This, our own, legacy includes: ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17646 GERST 6340   SEM 101

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Waite, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

GERST 6363
Queer Marxism

Are queer theory and Marxism truly irreconcilable? While queer studies emerged in part as a rejection of Marxism's totalizing approach and Marxists have criticized the queer emphasis on individuals, this ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 18137 GERST 6363   SEM 101

  •  
    • R
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Jarris, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

GERST 6385
The German Novel: History, Theory and Context

Overview of the History of the German Novel with emphasis on the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Contemporary developments will be included. Discussion of genre questions, theories of the novel, historical ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 19511 GERST 6385   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Schwarz, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

GERST 6405
Thinking Media Studies

This required seminar for the new graduate minor in media studies considers media from a wide number of perspectives, ranging from the methods of cinema and television studies to those of music, information ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ANTHR 6400, MUSIC 6400, PMA 6400

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 17412 GERST 6405   SEM 101

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Born, E

      Raheja, N

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 7540
Independent Study

Graduate student and faculty advisor to determine course of study and credit hours. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  3023 GERST 7540   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

GERST 7541
Colloquium

The course consists of a bi-weekly workshop series focusing on a range of interdisciplinary topics and sponsored by the Institute for German Cultural Studies (IGCS). Speakers include prominent scholars ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5594 GERST 7541   SEM 101

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 21 - May 6, 2025

    • Gilgen, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person