Introduction

For 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 18th Century 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 Yiddish is also offered on the beginning, intermediate and advanced 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 200Y1.

Information on studies in German Language and/or Literature can be obtained from the Associate Chair.

Associate Chair:

Professor J.K. Noyes

Enquiries:

Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, 50 St. Joseph Street, Room 322 (416-926-2324).

E-mail:

german@chass.utoronto.ca; Internet:

www.chass.utoronto.ca/german

GERMAN PROGRAMS

GERMAN STUDIES (B.A.)
Enrolment in the Specialist and Major programs is open to students who have successfully completed four courses and who have the required competence in German. Students without OAC German should arrange their courses in consultation with the Department. Students who have any prior experience with German and are taking any GER language course for the first time should contact the Department for details on placement tests.

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(10 full courses or their equivalent)

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 100Y1 may be counted.

1. GER 150H1
2. GER 200Y1, 205H1
3. GER 300Y1, 305H1, and at least two of GER 324H1, 325H1, 334H1, 335H1, 370H1
4. The remainder of the courses may be chosen from: GER 204H1, 323H1, 326H1, 327H1, 328H1, 331H1, 351H1, 361H1, 362H1, 370H1, 403H1, 420H1, 421H1, 422H1. Permission may be granted to count cognate courses from other departments

Major program (B.A.):
(7 full courses or their equivalent)

The Major Program requires that at least three of the seven courses must be at the 300+ level. GER 100Y1 may be counted.

1. GER150H1, 205H1, and 305H
2. At least three full course equivalents from GER100Y1, 101H1, 200Y1, 300Y1, 370H1, 470H1, 403H1
3. The remainder of the courses may be chosen from GER204H1, 232H1, 324H1, 325H1, 326H1, 327H1, 328H1, 331H1, 334H1, 335H1, 351H1, 361H1, 362H1, 410H1, 411H1, 412H1, 420H1, 421H1, 422H1. Permission may be granted to count cognate courses from other departments.

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)
Four GER full course equivalents forming a coherent series, which must be approved by the Department before enrolment in the Second Year.

BUSINESS GERMAN (B.A.)

Minor Program:
(4 full courses or their equivalent
1. GER 370Y1/370H1, 470Y1/470H1
2. The remainder of the four courses or equivalent must have a GER designator.
GERMAN and LINGUISTICS (B.A.)
GERMAN:
(6 full courses or their equivalent)
1. GER 100Y1/200Y1/(200H1, 201H1)
2. 200Y/(200H, 201H), 300Y/(300H, 301H)
3. GER 300Y1/(300H1, 301H1), 403H1
4. The remainder of the six courses or equivalent must have a GER designator.
GERMAN — See also MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES, LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGES

YIDDISH (B.A.)

Minor program:
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
1. GER 260Y1, 360H1, 361H1
2. The remaining courses should be taken from GER 362H1, 461H1, HIS 208Y1, 398Y1, 433H1