German Studies (GERST)Arts and Sciences

Showing 36 results.

Course descriptions provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - October 30, 2025 7:09PM EDT

GERST 1122
FWS: Love and Death in Vienna

Singing boys. Dancing horses. Waltzing debutantes. Those fortunate enough to live in a city where each day begins with a pastry and ends with a two-liter bottle of wine must live a charmed existence! Not ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  9484 GERST 1122   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • McBride, D

  • 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

  •  9485 GERST 1122   SEM 102

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • 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/.

GERST 1126
FWS: Philosophies of Violence: Conceptualizations of Force from Kant to Zizek

Violence is a complex concept with a nuanced history. Beginning with Kant and progressing through the discourses of Engels, Benjamin, Arendt, and others, this seminar will employ close readings of philosophical ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  9486 GERST 1126   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Thomas, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

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

GERST 1129
FWS: Phoniness and Awkwardness

What does being “genuine to oneself” mean? Can one really know what is authentic, or is all self-presentation a form of pretense? This course delves into the tension between phoniness and awkwardness as ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  9493 GERST 1129   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Wang, 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 1131
FWS: The Commune

How can we reorganize society based on principles of shared resources, direct democracy, gender equality, and mutual aid? For centuries, radical thinkers have responded with the same answer: the commune. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  9498 GERST 1131   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Jarris, M

  • 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

  •  9394 GERST 1170   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Thakore, R

  • 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

  •  9395 GERST 1170   SEM 102

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Villalobos, M

  • 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

  •  8907 GERST 1210   SEM 101

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Brady, B

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Primarily 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

  •  8908 GERST 1210   SEM 102

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Matthias Phelps, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Primarily 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

  •  8909 GERST 1220   SEM 101

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Beese, B

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 or based on German Placement test result.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8910 GERST 1220   SEM 102

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Walkinshaw, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 1210 or based on German Placement test result.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8911 GERST 1220   SEM 103

  •  
    • MTWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Reynders, A

  • 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

  •  8912 GERST 1230   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Spadoni, N

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: Enrollment primarily for students who have previously studied German and based on German Placement test result.

GERST 1777
Elementary Yiddish II

Elementary Yiddish II is the second in a three-class sequence that will enable students to meet their Arts & Sciences language requirement in Yiddish. It provides a further introduction to, and deepening ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 1777, YIDSH 1777

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  1427 GERST 1777   SEM 101

  •  
    • MTWR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Forman, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

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

  •  8913 GERST 2000   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Necker, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 1220 and placement result, GERST 1230, or placement by examination.

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8914 GERST 2000   SEM 102

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • McBride, D

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 1220 and placement result, GERST 1230, or placement by examination.

GERST 2040
Perspectives on German Culture

This course aims at sharpening your awareness of personal and cultural subjectivity by examining texts in a variety of media against the backdrop of cultural, political, and historical contexts. We will ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8915 GERST 2040   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Hadley, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 2000 or equivalent, or placement by examination. 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

  •  8916 GERST 2060   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Lischke, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 2000 or equivalent, or placement by examination. 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 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

  •  8943 GERST 2703   LEC 001

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Born, E

  • 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

  •  8942 GERST 3013   SEM 101

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • 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

  •  8933 GERST 3080   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Matthias Phelps, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: one German course at the 2010-2499 level or equivalent. This course may be counted towards the requirement for 3000-3209 level language in the major and minor.

GERST 3211
Sharing Space: Fantasy and Form in German Architectural Imaginations

From Neuschwanstein’s fairy tale palace and faux ruins at Sanssouci to Bauhaus functionality, German architectural ideas shape how people live, work, and socialize in German-speaking areas and beyond. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: SHUM 3211

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  8960 GERST 3211   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Nousek, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: one course at the GERST 3000-3209 level or equivalent, or placement by examination. This course may be counted towards the requirement for 3210-3499 level language in the major.

GERST 3212
Germanophone Science and Speculative Fiction

A humanoid robot, an attic portal to another world, a haunted small town, an instance of time travel gone wrong—we will encounter all of these (and more) in this course on science and speculative fiction. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: FGSS 3212, LGBT 3212, SHUM 3212

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  8957 GERST 3212   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Schoppelrei, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: one course at the GERST 3000-3209 level or equivalent, or placement by examination. This course may be counted towards the requirement for 3210-3499 level language in the major.

GERST 3514
Trash Talk: Garbage and Beauty

“Talking trash” usually seeks to devalue its target through pejorative language or slander. Yet it’s also a way to separate self and other, or establish order by distinguishing use and waste. When is trash ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: SHUM 3514

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  8961 GERST 3514   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Nousek, K

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    This course can be applied to the Minor in European Studies.

GERST 3550
Political Theory and Cinema

An introduction (without prerequisites) to fundamental problems of current political theory, filmmaking, and film analysis, along with their interrelationship. Particular emphasis on comparing and contrasting ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 3300, GOVT 3705, PMA 3490

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8917 GERST 3550   LEC 001

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Waite, G

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3561
Freud and Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis considers the human being not as an object of treatment, but as a subject who is called upon to elaborate an unconscious knowledge about what is disrupting her life, through analysis of ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  • 18033 GERST 3561   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • McNulty, T

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3610
Fables of Capitalism

This course examines the stories, literary examples, and metaphors at work in elaborating capitalist society and its “hero,” the modern economic subject: the so-called “homo oeconomicus.” We will examine ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •  8936 GERST 3610   LEC 001

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Fleming, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3630
Friendship: Other Loves, Other Selves

Disciplines as different as anthropology, literary studies, philosophy, and sociology have developed a strong interest in the theory and practice of friendship in recent years; friendships are seen on ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: SOC 3630

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  8934 GERST 3630   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Siegel, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 3825
The Past and Future of Holocaust Survivor Testimonies

This course will explore Holocaust survivor testimonies, from the multilayered history of their recording across the globe and their increasing institutionalization after the 1980s to their current uses ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 3835, JWST 3825, SHUM 3825

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  1456 GERST 3825   SEM 101

  •  
    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Burzlaff, J

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 4225
Arboreal Humanities: Ecology, Aesthetics, and Literature

An introduction to the arboreal humanities, this course examines the status of trees and forests at the intersection of ecological, aesthetic, artistic, and literary concerns. In addition to scientific ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 4225, ENGL 4225

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8964 GERST 4225   SEM 101

  •  
    • TR
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Gilgen, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 4471
Premodern-Postmodern

The premodern world played a crucial role in the formation of postmodern theory. ‘Biblical exegesis’, ‘negative theology’, ‘inner experience’, and other premodern concepts and practices were taken up by ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •  8949 GERST 4471   SEM 101

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Born, E

  • 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

  •  8921 GERST 4520   IND 601

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • 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

  •  8922 GERST 4520   IND 602

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • 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

  •  8923 GERST 4530   RSC 701

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Directed Research

    Department Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  •  8924 GERST 4530   RSC 702

  •  
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Directed Research

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

  •  8925 GERST 4540   IND 601

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Jarris, M

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    Prerequisite: GERST 4530.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  8926 GERST 4540   IND 602

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • 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. Taught in English. view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8927 GERST 6320   SEM 101

  •  
    • MWF
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Groundwater-Schuldt, W

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: GERST 6310 or equivalent.
    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

GERST 6395
Writing Revolution: France, Haiti, 1848 Europe, and the Paris Commune

This seminar explores the writing of revolutionary moments, when the course of history is interrupted and announces a new path, one that can be realized, betrayed, or compromised. What are the strategies ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 6395

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8962 GERST 6395   SEM 101

  •  
    • R
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Jarris, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

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: MUSIC 6400, PMA 6400

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5483 GERST 6405   SEM 101

  •  
    • W
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Shechtman, A

      Wang, Y

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 6471
Premodern-Postmodern

The premodern world played a crucial role in the formation of postmodern theory. ‘Biblical exegesis’, ‘negative theology’, ‘inner experience’, and other premodern concepts and practices were taken up by ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •  8952 GERST 6471   SEM 101

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Born, E

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 6511
Illness as Metaphor

What is illness? What is health? The human body seems to vacillate between these dichotomous versions of its existence. This seminar traces the cultural/historical developments/traditions that define illness, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 6511

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8955 GERST 6511   SEM 101

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Schwarz, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

GERST 6630
Nietzsche and Heidegger

This graduate seminar provides a basic introduction to the thinking of Nietzsche and Heidegger, and to the latter’s interpretation and appropriation of the former. A major concern is the articulation of ... view course details

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Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 6630

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8928 GERST 6630   SEM 101

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Waite, G

  • 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

  •  8930 GERST 7540   IND 601

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

    Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

    Department Consent Required (Add)

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8931 GERST 7540   IND 602

    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Schwarz, A

  • 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

  •  8932 GERST 7541   SEM 101

  •  
    • F
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Gilgen, P

  • Instruction Mode: In Person