Announcements

Graduate program applications for Fall 09-10 are due January 15, 2009.

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Graduate Program

The Program

Information about the program requirements, as well as information about interdisciplinary study and certificates, is provided below. Teaching and Research Abroad information can be found on those pages.

For a complete description of our program, download The Graduate Program (.doc) or send an email request to Kathryn Schallert.

Requirements

MA candidates must:

Complete 30 hours of graduate work chosen in consultation with the graduate adviser. These must include:

• German 457 Structure of the German Language, or
• German 456 History of the German Language
• German 450 Methodology and Bibliography
• German 505 Seminar in the Teaching of German;

Demonstrate proficiency in one language other than German or English by passing a reading examination;

Teach six units of German language at Washington University under the direction of the supervisor of language instruction;

Pass an hour-long general oral examination based on a reading list submitted by the student.

PhD candidates must:

Present a qualifying paper that demonstrates ability to work with literature and to handle research materials;

Complete 60 hours of graduate work plus 12 hours of dissertation credits. These must include:

• German 457 Structure of the German Language
• German 456 History of the German Language
• German 450 Methodology and Bibliography
• German 505 Seminar in the Teaching of German
• Two courses in literature prior to 1700, one of which must be a course in medieval literature in the original;

Teach two years at Washington University under the direction of the supervisor of language instruction;

Take comprehensive examinations which consist of three examinations on aspects of literature: a.) literary theory, b.) figure, c.) period;

Present a dissertation.

For more information about our requirements, please contact Stephan Schindler or Lutz Koepnick.

Certificates Offered

The program offers three certificates, in conjunction with other departments:

• Translation Certificate: The Certificate in Translation provides graduate students with training in the theory and practice of translation that focuses on the nuances of culture and language. This certificate is offered through the Comparative Literature Program. For more information, please see the Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies page on the Comparative Literature Program website.
• Pedagogy Certificate: Students choosing to pursue the Graduate Certificate in the learning sciences will develop a deep understanding about how people learn. The Graduate Certificate is designed for doctoral students in any department. For more information, please see the Graduate Certificate in the Learning Sciences page on the Department of Education website.
• Women and Gender Studies Certificate: The Women and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate Program offers graduate students the opportunity to broaden their course work to include the interdisciplinary study of gender and feminist theory. Students who complete the certificate have the option, on recommendation of the department chair and/or director of graduate studies, to participate in a joint TAship between the department and the Women and Gender Studies Program. For more information on the certificate and its requirements and opportunities, see the Graduate Certificate Program page on the Women and Gender Studies website.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Graduate students may wish to take courses in areas other than German. With this in mind, the program is designed so that PhD candidates may take a total of 12 credits in other areas, and those in the master's degree program may take six credits in another area of study. Of special interest are graduate offerings in Romance Languages, English, Literature and History, Philosophy, Art History, Music, and Women and Gender Studies. A joint PhD degree program has been instituted in Comparative Literature and German; it consists of a complete graduate program in German and intensive course work in comparative methodology and literary theory.

For more information about interdisciplinary opportunities, please contact Stephan Schindler or Lutz Koepnick.

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