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:

You can complete the Arts & Sciences language requirement by satisfying Option 1 or Option 2.  

Option 1 - Successfully complete one intermediate course of 3 or more credits at Cornell at the 2000 level or above. Option 1 classes are marked by FLOPI-AS distribution requirement code in the University Catalog and on the Class Roster.

Option 1 is satisfied by taking (a) GERST 1220, GERST 1230, and GERST 2000, (b) GERST 1220 and GERST 2000, (c) GERST 1230 and GERST 2000, (d) GERST 2000 or higher.

Sequence 1: 1220 > 1230 > 2000 

Sequence 2: 1220 > 2000

Sequence 3: 1230 > 2000

Sequence 4: 2000 or higher

Option 2 - Successfully complete at least 11 credits of study (2 or 3 semesters) in a single foreign language taken in the appropriate sequence at Cornell.

Option 2 is satisfied by taking (a) GERST 1210, GERST 1220, and GERST 1230 or (b) GERST 1210, GERST 1220, and GERST 2000.

Sequence 1: 1210 > 1220 > 1230 (meets Option 2)

Sequence 2: 1210 > 1220 > 2000 (meets Option 1 or Option 2)

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 2000-2009, 2010-2499):

• GERST 2000 - GERMANY: INTERCULTURAL CONTEXT
  • Students develop their skills of independent language use at the B1 CEF level.
• GERST 2020 - LITERARY TEXTS AND CONTEXTS
  • 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 (GERST 3000-3209):

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

• GERST 3025 - MAKING FUTURES
• GERST 3080 - WALKING THE LINE: EAST AND WEST GERMANY THEN AND NOW (SPRING ONLY)

LEVEL III/CONTENT FOCUSED (GERST 3210-3499):

• GERST 3211 - SHARING SPACE: FANTASY AND FORM IN GERMAN ARCHITECTURAL IMAGINATIONS
• GERST 3212 - GERMANOPHONE SCIENCE AND SPECULATIVE FICTION
• GERST 3350 - KAFKA IN CONTEXT: TRIALS OF MODERNITY

LEVEL IV (GERST 4000-4209):

• GERST 4140 - WANDERLUST
   

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/