Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Germanic Studies M.A.

German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of German, Scandinavian & Dutch, 320 Folwell Hall, 9 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-2080; fax: 612-624-8297)
Email: gradgsd@umn.edu
Website: http://gsd.umn.edu
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2018
  • Length of program in credits: 33
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Arts
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The Germanic studies program in the Department of German, Scandinavian, and Dutch (GSD) is distinguished for its interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature and culture. The program equips students to be creative scholars and skillful teachers through research and teaching programs covering the literature and culture of German-speaking and Nordic countries. Students work closely with faculty dedicated to scholarly innovation, teaching excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Germanic studies program offers both MA and PhD degrees and allows students to tailor their programs to their individual needs and interdisciplinary interests. Students have the option to pursue a emphasis in German (MA, PhD), Germanic Medieval Studies (MA, PhD) or Scandinavian Studies (MA) by completing a specified number of courses in one of those areas.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
BA or equivalent in German, Scandinavian, or related field. Students are usually admitted to the PhD program, but the MA must be completed first. Applicants must have fluency in German or a Scandinavian language.
Special Application Requirements:
In addition to the University's application requirements, the department requires the following: the department's Supplemental Application Information form (download from the department's website); a copy of one or more papers representative of the applicant's level of scholarly development (not to exceed 25 total pages); three letters of recommendation; the General (Aptitude) Test of the GRE (required for master's program applicants, but optional for those whose native language is not English). Students are admitted for fall semester only. All application materials may be uploaded into the online application and must be submitted by December 15. For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
  • GRE
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
    • Internet Based - Speaking Score: 27
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 550
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Plan B: Plan B requires 27 major credits and 6 credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:The Plan B paper is usually an improved, reworked seminar paper written for a specific course in the major.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
Students must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in German or one Scandinavian language.
Required Core
GSD 8001 - Approaches to Textual Analysis (3.0 cr)
GSD 5103 - Teaching of Germanic Languages (3.0 cr)
Germanic Medieval Studies Requirement
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GER 5711 - History of the German Language I (3.0 cr)
· GER 5721 - Introduction to Middle High German (3.0 cr)
· GER 5734 - Old Saxon (3.0 cr)
· GER 5740 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· GER 8200 - Seminar in Medieval German Literature and Culture (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5502 - The Icelandic Saga (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5701 - Old Norse Language and Literature (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5703 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5710 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 8500 - Seminar in Medieval Scandinavian Languages and Literature (3.0 cr)
Outside the Major in a Supporting Program
Take 6 credits outside the major in supporting program.
Germanic Studies - No Emphasis
Electives for Germanic Studies - No Emphasis
Students who elect not to to pursue a formal track can choose from any of the department's course offerings to complete remaining credit requirements.
Take 18 or more credit(s) from the following:
· DTCH 5xxx
· FIN 5xxx
· GER 5xxx
· GER 8xxx
· GSD 5xxx
· GSD 8xxx
· SCAN 5xxx
· SCAN 8xxx
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
German
The Plan B paper must reflect the emphasis.
German Emphasis Electives
*GER 5011 cannot count towards credit requirements.
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GER 5xxx
· GER 8xxx
· GSD 8xxx
Additional Elective
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· DTCH 5xxx
· FIN 5xxx
· GER 5xxx
· GER 8xxx
· GSD 5xxx
· GSD 8xxx
· SCAN 5xxx
· SCAN 8xxx
Germanic Medieval Studies
The Plan B paper must reflect the emphasis.
Germanic Medieval Studies Emphasis Electives
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GER 5711 - History of the German Language I (3.0 cr)
· GER 5721 - Introduction to Middle High German (3.0 cr)
· GER 5734 - Old Saxon (3.0 cr)
· GER 5740 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· GER 8200 - Seminar in Medieval German Literature and Culture (3.0 cr)
· GER 8210 - Seminar in Early Modern German Literature and Culture (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5502 - The Icelandic Saga (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5701 - Old Norse Language and Literature (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5703 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 5710 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)
· SCAN 8500 - Seminar in Medieval Scandinavian Languages and Literature (3.0 cr)
Additional Elective
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· DTCH 5xxx
· FIN 5xxx
· GER 5xxx
· GER 8xxx
· GSD 5xxx
· GSD 8xxx
· SCAN 5xxx
· SCAN 8xxx
Scandinavian Studies
The Plan B paper must reflect the emphasis.
Scandinavian Emphasis Electives
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
· SCAN 5xxx
· SCAN 8xxx
· FIN 5xxx
Additional Elective
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· DTCH 5xxx
· FIN 5xxx
· GER 5xxx
· GER 8xxx
· GSD 5xxx
· GSD 8xxx
· SCAN 5xxx
· SCAN 8xxx
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Liberal Arts

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2019
· Fall 2018

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GSD 8001 - Approaches to Textual Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Theoretical approaches to textual analysis that shape disciplinary discussions in Germanic studies.
GSD 5103 - Teaching of Germanic Languages
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Second language acquisition theory, methods, testing, and technology applicable to teaching of modern Germanic languages.
GER 5711 - History of the German Language I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Historical development of German, from beginnings to 1450. prereq: 3011
GER 5721 - Introduction to Middle High German
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Introduction to Middle High German language and literature. Study of grammar through formal description of Middle High German phonology, morphology, and syntax. Normalized MHG texts read.
GER 5734 - Old Saxon
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Study of the poetry of Old Saxon. Detailed investigation of Old Saxon in comparison with the other Old Germanic languages.
GER 8200 - Seminar in Medieval German Literature and Culture
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Topics on specific author, group of authors, genre, or subject matter in German literature, ca. 800-1450. prereq: 5721
SCAN 5502 - The Icelandic Saga
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Study of the sagas written in 13th-century Iceland. Discussion includes cultural and historical information about medieval Iceland and analysis of a selection of saga texts using contemporary critical approaches. All readings in translation.
SCAN 5701 - Old Norse Language and Literature
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: MEST 5701/SCAN 5701
Typically offered: Every Fall
Acquisition of a reading knowledge of Old Norse; linguistic, philological and literary study of Old Norse language and literature.
SCAN 8500 - Seminar in Medieval Scandinavian Languages and Literature
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Sample topics: [Volsunga Saga], studies in Snorri Sturluson's [Edda], dialogue analysis in the Icelandic saga.
GER 5711 - History of the German Language I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Historical development of German, from beginnings to 1450. prereq: 3011
GER 5721 - Introduction to Middle High German
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Introduction to Middle High German language and literature. Study of grammar through formal description of Middle High German phonology, morphology, and syntax. Normalized MHG texts read.
GER 5734 - Old Saxon
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Study of the poetry of Old Saxon. Detailed investigation of Old Saxon in comparison with the other Old Germanic languages.
GER 8200 - Seminar in Medieval German Literature and Culture
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Topics on specific author, group of authors, genre, or subject matter in German literature, ca. 800-1450. prereq: 5721
GER 8210 - Seminar in Early Modern German Literature and Culture
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Topics on specific author, group of authors, genre, or subject matter in German literature, 1450-1750.
SCAN 5502 - The Icelandic Saga
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Study of the sagas written in 13th-century Iceland. Discussion includes cultural and historical information about medieval Iceland and analysis of a selection of saga texts using contemporary critical approaches. All readings in translation.
SCAN 5701 - Old Norse Language and Literature
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: MEST 5701/SCAN 5701
Typically offered: Every Fall
Acquisition of a reading knowledge of Old Norse; linguistic, philological and literary study of Old Norse language and literature.
SCAN 8500 - Seminar in Medieval Scandinavian Languages and Literature
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Sample topics: [Volsunga Saga], studies in Snorri Sturluson's [Edda], dialogue analysis in the Icelandic saga.