Germanic Languages and Literatures

German is the second-most-spoken language in all of Europe, the most prevalent native language in the European Union, and the third most-taught foreign language worldwide. The rich cultural, intellectual, and scientific tradition of the German-speaking nations makes this a natural secondary field for students concentrating in art history, history of science, linguistics, literature, music, philosophy, psychology, religion, social studies, sociology, and the other language and literature fields. Germany's important, if often highly problematic, role in world history; its significance as the world's third largest economy; and its crucial role in the politics and economics of the European Union give German particular relevance for students concentrating in history, government, or economics. Present-day Germany offers American students important new perspectives on such issues as globalization and multi-culturalism. For these reasons, students in any undergraduate concentration who have attained intermediate-level knowledge of German may wish to explore German cultural and intellectual history in greater depth, while also achieving greater fluency in the language.

The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers courses in both German and English on topics of cultural and historical interest. Great figures such as Freud, Nietzsche, and Kafka are the subject of regular lecture courses, as are such topics as the Medieval Court, the German colonial period, and Nazi film. Smaller, discussion-type courses cover the Age of Goethe, nineteenth-century Realism, present-day Berlin, the relation between Germany and the European Union, and much more.

This secondary field is designed to be as flexible as possible so that individual students, with the help of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, can construct the most meaningful program for their needs.

REQUIREMENTS 5 half-courses

1. Two of the five courses must be at the 100 level or above.
2. Three of the five courses must be ones in which all texts are read in German.

OTHER INFORMATION

1. Up to two Core courses regularly offered by faculty in the department may count towards the secondary field. However, only one class can count towards both the Core and the secondary field. Freshman seminars may not count towards the secondary field.
2. Pass/Fail: All courses must be taken for a letter grade and cannot be taken Pass/Fail. A grade of B- or better is required for the course to count towards the secondary field.
3. Summer School/Study Abroad: Harvard Summer School courses and study abroad courses may be counted upon approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

ADVISING RESOURCES AND EXPECTATIONS

Students interested in pursuing a secondary field should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies in German, Judith Ryan (617-496-4923; jryan@fas.harvard.edu).