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German Studies

1500 N. Warner St. #1073
Tacoma, WA   98416-1073

Wyatt 233

253.879.3186

Chair

Kristopher Imbrigotta
253-879-2457

Administrative Support

Theresa Williams-Chow
253.879.3186

Program Description

In German studies, students explore the diverse and fascinating mentalities of German speakers with the goal of developing foreign-language competence, an appreciation of diversity, and cross-cultural awareness. Courses in German studies cover many topics and historical periods, and complement many academic fields of study.

Students choose from courses covering topics such as identity formation and stereotypes; nationalism, war, and legacies of fascism; minority cultures, integration, and global migration; Germany’s increasing importance within the EU; politics and the cultural history of Germany and Eastern Europe; German cinema from its beginnings to today; the theory and practice of drama, including a public performance in German; science, technology, and pop culture; folk traditions and fairy tales; and representations of nature and the environment.

 

Who You Could Be

  • Translator
  • Musician
  • Teacher/Professor
  • Foreign service officer
  • Artist/Arts administrator

What You'll Learn

  • German language and culture (Why study German?)
  • European history, politics, and mentalities
  • Critical and analytical skills in reading, writing, and speaking German and English
  • Aesthetic appreciation in the visual and performing arts
  • Cross-cultural competency and global awareness
Hatchet icon
ALUMNI
Alyana Wain-Hirschberg ’15

"I started in German 101 with no prior German language skills, and now I am living in Berlin and teaching at an international bilingual school. Following graduation, I embarked to Rostock, Germany, for my Fulbright year, fully immersing myself in the German language and culture, and teaching English to German children."

SAMPLE COURSES
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Was National Socialism the incarnation of evil in the modern world? How could twelve years of Nazi control in Germany alter world history? Did its culture consist only of propaganda and party rallies? Why did the Nazi leadership consider art and culture so central to its political goals? In the past 25 years scholars have taken a serious look at Nazi culture and revealed a much more complex set of factors at work in all areas of cultural life. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to the often contradictory but fascinating historical, social, and economic conditions that led to cultural shifts when the Nazis came to power in 1933 and then examines how Nazi policies simultaneously and systematically influenced all aspects of life in Nazi Germany (Gleichschaltung). Students consider both the 'lowbrow' culture and everyday life as well as the more traditional and sophisticated domains of 'high' culture. Topics include: religion, youth education, the 'camp system,' Fascism, environmentalism, racial theories, disability and discrimination, propaganda and entertainment films, colonial ambitions, art and architecture, gender roles and family, and consumer culture.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesKnowledge, Identity, and PowerLanguage

This course surveys the history and development of German cinema after 1945, including canonical works by Staudte, Schloendorff, Wenders, Kluge, and Fassbinder. The course begins with the immediate post-WWII era and continues through contemporary films, examining major trends of German cinematography during four major periods: the Truemmerfilm, the New German Cinema of the Federal Republic, DEFA films in the GDR, and the cinematic trends after German reunification. In order to come to a better understanding of how one can define German cinema, students' focus will be on both thematic and formal aspects. Class discussions will focus on questions such as: What is the relationship between a specific film and its historical-cultural context? Is this relationship overt or hidden? What does (or did) a German audience see in the film? How can we analyze and interpret these films from today's standpoint? German films might reflect on German issues, but is there a distinct German film language/style and what position do these films occupy within world cinema? What are the theoretical and formal concerns of German filmmakers? May be taught in German or English.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesLanguage

No one can hope to comprehend the challenges Germany faces today without confronting the triumphs and tragedies of the German past. Questions of sovereignty and individual freedom, as argued by bloggers and in the press, acquire supreme significance when viewed in light of Germany under Bismarck, the failure of the Weimar Republic, the nightmare of National Socialism, forty years of division, the Pandora's box of unification, and Germany's crucial role in the European Union. Students study the evolution of the German political system even as they develop the basic vocabulary of history and politics.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesLanguage
Prerequisites
GERM 201 or permission of the instructor.

Thirty years ago, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall opened. Less than a year later East and West Germany were politically and economically united, and the German Democratic Republic officially ceased to exist. Yet scholars, journalists, writers and filmmakers have continued to explore the 40 years of divided Germany, including tensions that continued after unification. This seminar explores some of the many literary and cinematic representations of the East both as a place many are glad to have left behind as well as a place of longing for others. The course begins with a brief discussion of the history the GDR, the "Wende," or time of transition leading up to the fall of the fall, and German unification. Among other questions, the course considers these questions: What aspects of the GDR past are thematized in texts? Which aspects are glorified or denigrated? Which aspects are remembered wistfully and which angrily? How do western and eastern authors/filmmakers differ in their treatment of the GDR past? What do these differences suggest about unification and the future of Germany? Class will be conducted in German in a supportive environment. All assignments will be written or presented in German.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesLanguage
Prerequisites
GERM 201 or permission of the instructor.

Being green is not a new trend for Germans. In fact, Germany has consistently led the way, not only within Europe but also throughout the world, in how to be environmentally friendly and natural resource conscious. Germany is (and has been) a world leader in solar and wind technologies and boasts one of the smallest carbon footprints of any industrialized major economy in the world. Why are Germans so green? What is Germany's position on today's major debates surrounding global warming, climate change, conservation, urban planning, public transportation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection? How do Germans see themselves vis-à-vis nature as represented in the arts? In this course students explore these and other questions related to nature and the environment from a German perspective, from the mid-eighteenth century through today. The course introduces students to a wide variety of subject matter and topics in literature, film, news items/current events, science, art, politics, language, and contemporary consumerism.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesLanguage
Prerequisites
GERM 201 or permission of the instructor.

This course exposes students to representative German-language dramatic works, with the intention of staging a public performance at the end of the semester. Additional shorter texts on dramatic theory and visual and/or videos will supplement course materials. As a practical component to the course, we will also conduct technical acting exercises and in-class readings of the dramatic texts. Emphasis will be on closely reading texts, on discussing them in German, and providing opportunities to systematically advance and improve articulation of spoken German. Students participate in all facets of theatrical production, from character development, acting and performing, directing, requisitions and props, and promoting our play.

Code
Artistic and Humanistic PerspectivesLanguage
Prerequisites
GERM 201 or permission of the instructor.
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Experiential Learning

A sampling of student internships and research abroad:

  • Erin Hurley '27, summer research grant, "Beyond borders: Assessing the impact of German immigration policy on community initiatives"
  • Mason Baumgartner '23, summer research grant, "German/American Business Relations in the 21st Century"
  • Declan Peloso ’21, internship with Infineon, Munich
  • William Robidoux ’20, internship with PLANE-SITE GmbH, Berlin
  • Stefan Rehkemper ’20, German teaching practicum at Washington Elementary, Tacoma
  • Catherine McMurry ’17 received a highly competitive DAAD research grant to study medieval history in Germany
  • Maria Leuzinger ’20 studied abroad for a year in Munich, and completed an internship at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Italy

Where Graduates Work

Where our graduates work:

  • German Language Services Seattle
  • Berlin Cosmopolitan School
  • Swiss Consulate
  • Peace Corps
  • Tomatenklang Music School, Berlin

Where Graduates Continue Studying

Where our students continue their studies:

  • Columbia University (education)
  • UCLA (international law)
  • University of Oregon (organic chemistry; now works in Germany)
  • Rutgers University (medieval history)
  • Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (international affairs and translation)
Meet the Faculty
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Kristopher Imbrigotta
Associate Professor, German Studies

Prof. Imbrigotta's research and teaching focuses on theater history, film and media studies, environmental humanities, and memory discourses.

Read the full bio
Kirsten Christensen
Visiting Assistant Professor, German Studies

Prof. Christensen researches late medieval and early modern mystical texts by women, as well as labor issues in higher education. She teaches all levels of German language and culture.

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Berlin
BERLIN SUMMER PROGRAM

The German studies department offers a faculty-led summer travel program in Berlin that visits Potsdam, Leipzig, and more.

Munich
MUNICH YEAR OF STUDY PROGRAM

Puget Sound partners with Lewis & Clark College to offer a yearlong study program at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.

Freiburg
FREIBURG

The Office of International Programs offers several study abroad programs for summer, fall, or full-year study in Freiburg, Germany.