German and Scandinavian
Jeffrey S. Librett
327 Friendly Hall
1250 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1250
541-346-4051
jlibrett@uoregon.edu
The Department of German and Scandinavian offers a range of courses and degree programs, from instruction in beginning German and Swedish through a wealth of general-education and advanced undergraduate and graduate offerings in the literatures and cultures of German-speaking and Scandinavian Europe. Students may earn a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a focus on German language, literature, and culture; interdisciplinary German and Scandinavian studies; or Scandinavian. Minors in all three of these focuses are also possible, and many undergraduates pursue concurrent degrees with second majors or minors in other departments and programs. At the graduate level, the department offers the master of arts (MA) and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees in German. Our five-year combined BA/MA program is an excellent option for motivated students. Ours is the only program in the state of Oregon that grants a PhD in German.
Preparation
Nor prior knowledge of German is required to major or minor in German. The beginning is simply curiosity about the language and culture of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Central Europe. With some prior knowledge, of course, one will be able to proceed more quickly through the major or minor by placing into a higher level.
Careers
Our alumni have found positions in media and communications, government and public service, international business and law, education and teaching, social services, and the travel and tourism industry. Many go on to graduate school in education, law, the humanities, and other fields. Proficiency in a second language opens career opportunities in any number of fields that demand superior skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking and analysis, and intercultural understanding. Particularly in combination with another major or minor, the career possibilities are limitless. Students who graduate with a degree in German or Scandinavian enter a great variety of occupations, including but by no means limited to those with a direct connection to the languages and countries of Europe.
Major Requirements
Students intending to major with a focus in German language, literature, and culture or interdisciplinary German studies must first acquire proficiency in the German language, typically demonstrated by satisfactory completion of the third term of Second-Year German III (GER 203) or a placement exam. Thereafter, students may begin to take upper-division courses taught in German.
The department does not accept a grade of C– or lower in any course used to fulfill requirements for a major in German.
Faculty
Corinne Bayerl, senior instructor (16th- to early 18th-century French and German literature and philosophy; gender questions; history of pedagogy). Currently in the Clark Honors College. See Comparative Literature.
Sonja Boos (†), associate professor (19th- through 21st-century German literature, culture, and film; critical thought). MA, 1997, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf; MA, 2004, PhD, 2008, Princeton. (2013)
D. Gantt Gurley, associate professor (Scandinavian literature and folklore, Old Norse literature, Jewish studies). Currently in the Clark Honors College. BA, 1994, Bard College; MA, 2002, PhD, 2007, California, Berkeley. (2009)
Martin Klebes, associate professor (18th- to 21st- century literature, philosophy, critical thought). PhD, 2003, Northwestern. (2007)
Jeffrey S. Librett, professor (literature since 1750, theoretical discourses, Jewish studies). BA, 1979, Yale; MA, 1981, Columbia; PhD, 1989, Cornell. (2004)
Dawn A. Marlan, senior lecturer (German and European literature and culture from 1700 forward; modernist novel). BA, 1989, Bennington College; MA, 1991, PhD, 2000, Chicago. (2004)
Dorothee Ostmeier, professor (18th- and 20th-century literature, culture, philosophy). Staatsexamen, 1984, MA, 1985, Ruhr; PhD, 1993, Johns Hopkins. (2001)
Michael Stern, associate professor (Nietzsche, Kierkegaard,19th-century Scandinavian literature). BA, 1993, MA, 1995, PhD, 2000, California, Berkeley. (2001)
Matthias Vogel, senior instructor (second-language acquisition); language coordinator, German language programs; coordinator, German Global Scholars. BA, 1993, Johannes Gutenberg, Mainz; MA, 1996, Oregon. (2011)
Emeriti
Susan C. Anderson, professor emeritus. BA, 1978, North Carolina, Asheville; MA, 1981, PhD, 1985, North Carolina, Chapel Hill. (1986)
Kenneth S. Calhoon, professor emeritus. BA, 1979, Louisville; MA, 1981, PhD, 1984, California, Irvine. (1987)
Alexander Mathäs, professor emeritus. Staatsexamen, 1981, Tübingen; MA, 1984, Oregon; PhD, 1990, Texas, Austin. (1996)
James R. McWilliams, associate professor emeritus. BA, 1951, MA, 1957, PhD, 1963, California, Berkeley. (1960)
Helmut R. Plant, associate professor emeritus. BA, 1957, Fairmont; MA, 1961, PhD, 1964, Cincinnati. (1966)
Karla L. Schultz, professor emerita. BA, 1967, Alma; MA, 1968, Washington (Seattle); MA, 1980, PhD, 1984, Oregon. (1987)
Ingrid A. Weatherhead, senior instructor emerita. BA, 1950, MA, 1951, Puget Sound. (1962)
Virpi Zuck, professor emerita. BA, 1964, MA, 1965, University of Helsinki; PhD, 1977, Wisconsin, Madison. (1974)
The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.
German Studies Participating Faculty
Nina Amstutz, history of art and architecture
Jack Boss, music
Anita Chari, political science
Joyce Cheng, history of art and architecture
James Conran, political science
Colin Koopman, philosophy
David M. Luebke, history
John McCole, history
Nicolae Morar, environmental studies
Barbara Muraca, philosophy
Craig Parsons, political science
Daniel Rosenberg, history
Emily Scott, history of art and architecture
Barbara Stawarska, philosophy
Alejandro Vallega, philosophy
Daniela Vallega-Neu, philosophy
Peter Warnek, philosophy