German Language Study

We are dedicated to working with our students to prepare them for becoming independent life-long learners and active participants in today's world. 

Our small, interactive, project-oriented courses encourage students to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills, their transcultural competence, and their interpersonal and communicative skills. Working with authentic materials from German-speaking countries students gain linguistic competence and deepen awareness of their own and other cultures. Interdisciplinary approaches allow students to engage in intellectually challenging group and individual projects and to achieve high levels of language competence as articulated in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). The adaptation of this Framework to German Studies curriculum equips our students to succeed as global citizens.

Students wishing to begin German at Cornell enroll in GERST 1210-1220.*

More advanced courses introduce majors and other qualified students to a broad variety of literary and cultural topics in German-speaking countries.

* After completing this sequence or placing into the 2000-level, students continue to work on improving linguistic proficiency and developing cultural literacy in German Studies.

IF YOU ALREADY KNOW GERMAN:

• Students with an AP score of 4 or better may be granted three credits in German.

• Students with an AP score of 4 or better, an IB 6 or 7, or a SAT II score of 690 or higher must take the CASE examination for placement in courses above GERST 2000.

• Students coming to Cornell with advanced standing in German and/or another subject are encouraged to consider a double major and to discuss the options with Gunhild Lischke as early as possible.

• Placement Exams: Information on Placement exams can be found here.

LANGUAGE COURSE SEQUENCE:

The Cornell University German Studies Undergraduate Program is unique in adapting the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) to reflect the needs and qualities of Cornell students. Accordingly, curriculum development integrates research in second language acquisition and cognitive learning theories into a well-articulated sequence of language study.  This allows for setting clear standards to be attained at each level of instruction while accommodating varying learner styles and encouraging student autonomy. Our re-conceptualized program enables students to attain high levels of language competence and equips them to become successful participants in a transnational community.

 

LEVEL I/Language Courses:

• GERST 1210 - EXPLORING GERMAN CONTEXTS I
  • Students develop their skills of basic language use at the A1/A2 CEF level.
• GERST 1220 - EXPLORING GERMAN CONTEXTS II
  • Students develop their skills of basic language use at the A2/B1 CEF level. After completion of 1220, students will be placed into GERST 1230 or 2000.

LEVEL I +/Language Course:

• GERST 1230 - EXPANDING THE GERMAN DOSSIER
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the lower B1 CEF level.

LEVEL II/Language Courses:

• GERST 2000 - GERMANY: INTERCULTURAL CONTEXT
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the B1 CEF level.
• GERST 2020 - LITERARY TEXTS AND CONTEXTS: THE MYTH OF 1968
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the lower B2 CEF level.
• GERST 2040 - PERSPECTIVES ON GERMAN CULTURE
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the lower B2 CEF level.
• GERST 2060 - GERMAN IN BUSINESS CULTURE
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the B2 CEF level.

​

LEVEL III/Topical Language Courses:

Students develop their skills of independent/proficient language use at the B2 CEF level.

• GERST 3070 - CHALLENGE OF LITERARY LANGUAGE
• GERST 3080 - AGAINST AND BEYOND THE DIGITAL IN GERMAN (SPRING ONLY)

LEVEL III/CONTENT FOCUSED:

• GERST 3320 - STORIES OF LOVE: JOY AND HEARTBREAK IN GERMAN LITERATURE
• GERST 3340 - WORKING THROUGH WORKING

LEVEL IV

• GERST 4002 - CHANGING WORLDS: MIGRATION, MINORITIES, AND GERMAN LITERATURE
• GERST 4100 - THE SEMINAR: WHAT IS POETRY?

For courses beyond Level III (3500) and/or courses taught in English please go to our main course listings page.

24h Deutsch - https://www.youtube.com/24hdeutsch
Deutsch für Dich - gemeinsam, kostenlos Deutsch lernen - https://www.goethe.de/prj/dfd/de/home.cfm

Deutsche Welle
- Deutsch zum Mitnehmen - https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview (German to Go - https://learngerman.dw.com/en/overview)
- A1 - Beginner: Nicos Weg https://learngerman.dw.com/de/anf%C3%A4nger/c-36519687
- Top-Thema mit Vokabeln - http://www.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/top-thema/s-8031
- Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten - http://www.dw.com/de/26012018-langsam-gesprochene-nachrichten/a-42314588

Fernsehen (German TV)
ARD - http://www.ardmediathek.de/tv
ZDF - https://www.zdf.de/#/hauptnavigation/startseite
WDR - https://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/video

Studying in German
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/learn-german/