Global Studies and Languages

German Studies

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Overview

German Studies at MIT offers a comprehensive academic program ranging from beginning to advanced levels. Aimed at undergraduates and graduates, the German curriculum engages students in the study of language, contemporary culture, history, film, and literature of German-speaking countries. With current faculty expertise covering the fields of migration, cultural transfer, media, science, environment, and technology – German Studies encourages broad engagements with Germany in relation to some of the central questions that shape our time. Highlighting transnational perspectives, German Studies contributes to the larger mission in Global Studies and Languages to enable students to become critical global citizens and refine their problem solving skills to local challenges.

The four semester language-focused course series (German I-IV) assumes no background in German language or culture. Students in these courses acquire the communication and cultural competencies that allow them to engage in further study in advanced courses and to participate in the MISTI-Germany Program to gain international work experience. All courses use innovative and engaging pedagogies together with study materials ranging from print to digital. Each course in this sequence is offered both fall and spring semesters. In addition, beginning and intermediate language courses are offered in a 3-week intensive format during the Independent Activities Period (IAP) in January. Undergraduates can elect to concentrate, minor, or major in German Studies.

Requirements

Major
Advisor: Bettina Stoetzer (email)
A major in German requires 11 subjects beginning at Level III which may include a pre-thesis and thesis (pre-thesis and thesis are reserved for students who have completed most or all of the subjects offered in a particular language group and demonstrate outstanding competence in the particular field of study.) Normally, it is recommended that most students substitute two additional subjects in place of a thesis option.

Minor
Advisors: Dagmar Jaeger (email) and Bettina Stoetzer (email)
In light of the importance of languages in today’s international world of science and engineering, the HASS Minor gives undergraduates a unique opportunity to combine a degree in science or engineering with a Minor in German. The Minor in German leads students who have already reached an intermediate level of proficiency (second semester or above) into a more advanced study of the language, literature, and culture. A minor in German consists of six subjects arranged in 3 levels of study. Please note that German I & II do not count towards the Minor.

Concentration
Advisor: Ellen Crocker (email)
There are several concentration options, depending on whether your focus is language or literature and culture. A language concentration consists of 3 or 4 language subjects, depending on your incoming language competence. An upper level concentration may include 3rd or 4th semester language plus upper level subjects taught in the foreign language. Subjects offered in English may be applied towards fulfilling certain concentration requirements; please see the concentration advisor for approval.

For the online HASS Concentration Form, click through to studentformsandpetitions.mit.edu!

Study Abroad

Advisor: Peter Weise (email)
You may also consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year abroad. Credits received from most accredited programs will count towards your major, minor or concentration you should consult with the Study Abroad Advisor in German prior to your departure.

MIT-Germany

Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT-Netherlands

Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT-Switzerland

Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT Global Education and Career Development Office : General information about study abroad. All forms related to study abroad and scholarship information available.

Activities

Max Kade Program

The unique Max Kade Writer-in-Residence Program brings a German-speaking writer to MIT to teach a special advanced-level course in German every two years. These writers bridge two or more cultures and/or languages by virtue of their biographies and writing, and they provide the students an alternative understanding of German and Swiss society and culture.

The German Studies Excellence Award at MIT

The annual award, sponsored by Global Studies and Languages (GSL) and MISTI-Germany, was started in 1997 to honor students each academic year who exhibit unusually strong skills and effort in the study of German language and culture in courses at MIT. The awards are decided by a jury of faculty from the German program.

Ecology und Global Justice Forum

The simultaneity and proliferation of environmental degradation, racial violence, forced migration, war, and neoliberal market policies that currently threaten the flourishing of human and non-human life defies a separation between social, psychological and environmental registers in our understanding of the key challenges of our time. Led by Bettina Stoetzer, Assistant Professor in German at GSL, the Ecology and Global Justice Series provides a forum for conversation among cultural critics, artists, and scientists about how to tackle these challenges and how to think across different registers while combining matters of social justice with environmental concerns.

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German Studies

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