German 120 - Fall 2025
Introduction to German Studies: A Multi-Cultural Approach
Neo Rauch Fundgrube, 2011
Tuesday / Thursday 1:00 – 2:20pm
Modern research universities like the University of Washington are a 19th-century German invention. We think of the university’s divisions into areas of knowledge (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities) and departments (e.g., physics, psychology, history) as naturally reflecting the world, but in fact these categories artificially shape and determine what counts as knowledge in the first place. In this course we will explore the ways that German thinkers have worked alternately to construct the fields of academic knowledge, to promote cross-fertilization among those fields, and to challenge disciplinary boundaries. The course provides both an introduction to the modern university and an exploration of the relationship between knowledge and power.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to
• Recognize, describe, and analyze the intellectual, cultural, and institutional contexts that contributed to the formation and organization of academic knowledge;
• Recognize, describe, and analyze the critical role of specific German thinkers in disciplines ranging from sociology to physics;
• Articulate critiques by underrepresented voices of dominant cultures of knowledge;
• Think transnationally: incorporate diverse cultural perspectives in assessing fields of knowledge;
• Organize their own university studies in a coherent fashion;
• Recognize how pursuing a German Studies major or minor can add critical focus to courses of study outside the German department.
Required Texts:
• All readings will be made available in digital format on Canvas.
Grading:
• Quizzes (4) 20%
• Worksheets (7) 40%
• Staged Dialogue 25%
• Participation 15%
Course Components:
Quizzes: Students will take a straightforward reading quiz designed to help them master the most important issues in the texts. (4 total)
Worksheets: Students should complete seven worksheets on the assigned texts, to be turned in at the end of the quarter. See details in Canvas. (7 total)
Staged Dialogue: With a partner, students will write and stage a dialogue between two thinkers with opposing views. See details in Canvas. (1 total)
Participation: In-class (or pre-class) writing and discussion activities graded for completion.
Course Policies:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The University of Washington is a community dedicated to learning. Students belonging to the community adhere to the ethical obligations outlined in the student conduct code. Plagiarism, cheating, and disruptive behavior in class violate the code, and harm everyone’s learning. Any violations of the code in connection with the course will result in referral to the university administration for appropriate action. Plagiarism of any sort will automatically result in a grade of 0.0 for the assignment, and possible referral to the University administration.
INCLUSION COMMITMENT: We seek to ensure all students are fully included in each course. If you find that there are aspects of course instruction, subject matter, or classroom environment that result in barriers to your inclusion, please contact your instructors, a departmental advisor, or the university diversity officer vpomad@uw.edu.
PRONOUNS: This course affirms people of all gender expressions and gender identities. If you go by a different name than what is on the class roster, please let us know. Using correct gender pronouns is important to us, so you are encouraged to share your pronouns with us and correct us if a mistake is made. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information on pronouns, see https://registrar.washington.edu/students/pronouns/
ACCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS: It is crucial that all students in this class have access to the full range of learning experiences. At the University of Washington, it is the policy and practice to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.
Full participation in this course requires the following types of engagement:
• the ability to complete 20-40 pages of reading in preparation for each class;
• the ability to prepare worksheets on these readings;
• the ability to watch films or film clips online
• the ability to attend bi-weekly classes with 30-40 other students;
• the ability to complete in-class written quizzes;
• the ability to write and perform a creative and critical dialog with a partner.
If you anticipate or experience barriers to your learning or full participation in this course based on a physical, learning, or mental health disability, please immediately contact the instructor to discuss possible accommodation(s). A more complete description of the disability policy of the College of the Environment can be found here. If you have, or think you have, a temporary or permanent disability that impacts your participation in any course, please also contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS) at: 206-543-8924 V / 206-543-8925 TDD / uwdss@uw.edu e-mail / http://www.uw.edu/students/drs.
Roles & Responsibilities for Academic Accommodations:
Student: inform the instructor no later than the first week of the quarter of any accommodation(s) you will or may potentially require.
Instructor and TA: maintain strict confidentiality of any student’s disability and accommodation(s); help all students meet the learning objectives of this course.
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS: Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).
HEALTH PROTOCOLS: Students and instructors in this course will adhere to the current Covid-19 prevention policies advocated by the University of Washington as regards to mask wearing, social distancing, and other public health guidelines.