GER German On this page: Introduction | Programs | IntroductionFor more than a thousand years the German-speaking countries have been the cultural and political core of Central Europe. During the last two hundred years their importance has steadily increased, and with the recent developments in eastern Europe their influence seems certain to grow even more. The importance of the German language has grown correspondingly: it is the second foreign language after English in the countries of central and eastern Europe, and its use is spreading within the European Community. Learning German opens the door to many fields of intellectual, technical and politico-economic endeavour. German scholars have been leaders in philosophy, the sciences, history, archaeology, sociology and political science, while German literature is equally distinguished, with writers like Goethe, Kafka, Rilke, Brecht, Mann, Grass, etc., who have dealt with the widest possible range of human problems and concerns. The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers courses on literature from the Middle Ages to the present, so that the student may acquire an overview of this significant element of German life and culture. Also offered are language courses on the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels, with practice in reading, writing, comprehending and speaking German, as well as stylistics, linguistics, and the specialized vocabulary and concepts of business. Instruction in Dutch and Yiddish is also offered on the beginning and intermediate levels. The Department supports opportunities for students to study and work in Germany, by encouraging participation in programs established by the German government, by Canadian universities, and by our own Arts and Science Faculty's "Study Elsewhere Program." One of these is the exchange program under which Toronto students, can spend the academic year at the Humboldt University in Berlin. A knowledge of German is a virtual necessity for specialists in many disciplines; it is also very useful in certain career areas (e.g., the foreign service, interpretation and translation, librarianship, business and commerce, music, tourism, and of course teaching). The successful completion of a four-year program, including seven approved courses in German, may entitle the student to enter the M.A. or Ph.D. program in the Graduate Division of the Department. Students entering with some previous knowledge of German but without an OAC qualification may be asked to write an initial assessment test and will then be advised to take courses at the appropriate level. Students who have taken German in high school to OAC level will normally begin with GER 200H, 201H, 204H. Information on studies in German Language and/or Literature can be obtained from the Associate Chair. Associate Chair: Professor H.W. Seliger. Enquiries: Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, 50 St. Joseph Street, Room 322 (416-926-2324). E-mail: german@chass.utoronto.ca ; Internet:GERMAN PROGRAMSGERMAN STUDIES (B.A.) Specialist program (Hon.B.A.): The Specialist Program requires that at least four of
the ten courses must be at the 300+ level with a minimum of one course at the 400-level. GER 100Y may be counted. Major program (B.A.): The Major Program requires that at least three of the
seven courses must be at the 300+ level. GER 100Y may
be counted. Minor program (B.A.): BUSINESS GERMAN (B.A.) Minor Program: First Year: Second Year: 200Y/(200H, 201H), 300Y/(300H, 301H) Third and Fourth Years: YIDDISH (B.A.) Minor program: |
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