As you think about winter quarter 2025 course registration, check out these fun English language courses in German Studies. They are open to all students, have no prerequisites, and fulfill Areas of Knowledge requirements as noted.
Delve into the rich linguistic history of English, German, and their Germanic relatives by examining ancient languages such as Old High German, Old English, Gothic, and Old Norse while gaining insights into language evolution, sociolinguistic contexts, and creating a collaborative digital exhibition that brings historical voices to life.
2) Fairy Tale and Fantasy*
In this course we will marvel at how fairy tales are part of a transcultural and transnational ecologies of storytelling that stretch from 16th century Italy to present-day Coast Salish nations. We will also spin the fairy tale web in new directions by creatively adapting these tales for contemporary audiences. Readings (and viewings) include wonder tales from around the planet, scholarship on folktales, and provocations for adaptation.
Instructor: Professor Jason Groves, German Studies, jagroves@
3) Cultures of Music: Germany and Beyond*
Music is often claimed to be a universal language that transcends cultural and national boundaries. But music always emerges from a particular culture and has often been used to create exclusive groups and incite hatred as well as love. In this course, we will explore the history of musical experience in Germany and beyond. We will listen to Bach and Turkish-German hiphop artists, watch films about Mozart and Cabaret, read influential texts in music theory and ethnomusicology, and even have a night at the opera.
Instructor: Professor Ellwood Wiggins, German Studies, wiggins1@
* These courses are taught in English, and there are no prerequisites.