Master of Arts
Similar in design and scope, the Masters program serves well as an extension of the undergraduate program. Students pursuing a graduate degree in German may apply for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. All M.A. students are strongly encouraged to study in a German speaking country; the German program provides several study abroad opportunities. All incoming graduate students (non-native speakers) must pass the German language proficiency exam level C1 at the end of their second semester in the M.A. program. The university is a certified testing center for the Goethe-Institut, and the exams are offered on campus. All students may also apply for residency in the German House on campus.
Coursework for the M.A. varies between 24-30 credit hours, depending upon whether or not a student elects to write a thesis. Three tracks are offered: German literature, Germanic philology, German studies.
German Literature. Plan I (24 hours of coursework and a thesis) or Plan II (30 hours of coursework, no thesis). In addition to German literature courses, students must take GN 510 History of the German Language and 3 hours of Middle High German. With the approval of the German graduate adviser, 6 hours of graduate work in a related field may be applied to the degree.
German Studies. Plan II only (30 hours of coursework, no thesis). Students must take 15 hours of German literature/culture and philology courses, 3 hours in German history, and one 3-hour interdisciplinary seminar. With the approval of the German graduate adviser, 9 hours of graduate work in a related field may be applied to the degree.
Germanic Philology. Plan I (24 hours of coursework and a thesis) or Plan II (30 hours of coursework, no thesis). In addition to philology courses, students must take 6 hours of German literature. With the approval of the German graduate adviser, 9 hours of graduate work in a related field may be applied to the degree. EH 622 Old English may count as a German course for candidates in this concentration.
Master of Arts Examination
Upon completing coursework for any of the three concentrations in German, a student must pass a comprehensive examination based on the coursework and on a core reading list.
German Literature Exam
Part I: Reading List (Students answer two questions from a choice of three or four)
Part II: History of the Language/Linguistics (Students answer one question from a choice of two or three) and Reading List (Students answer one question from a choice of two or three)
Part III: Special Topics in Literature (Students answer two questions from a choice of three or four)
Part IV: Oral Exam (Addresses Written Exams, Reading List, and Special Topics)
German Studies Exam
Part I: Reading List (Students answer two questions from a choice of three or four)
Part II: Linguistics (Students answer one question from a choice of two or three) and German Studies Special Topics (Students answer one question from a choice of two or three)
Part III: German Studies Special Topics (Students answer two questions from a choice of three or four)
Part IV: Oral Exam (Addresses Reading List, Special Topics, and Written Exams)
General Exam Structure for German Literature/ German Studies Exam
1. An exam committee consists of at least three faculty members and is set up by the student with the graduate advisor. Students pass each part by majority vote. In case of a tie, the student passes. All written parts must be passed in order to proceed to the oral exam. If a student fails part of the written exam, only that part must be retaken.
2. Students must have passed the German language proficiency exam C1 before being admitted to the comprehensive exams.
3. Special topics are usually based on coursework and must be established in consultation with the graduate advisor.
4. Each written exam will last three hours (i.e., one hour and thirty minutes per question).
5. A set of practice questions will be available from the graduate advisor.
6. Students may view their corrected exams but may not make copies or remove them from the department.
Germanic Philology Exam
Part I: Applied Linguistics (Students answer two items from a choice of three or four). Items are typically based on coursework.
Part II: General Linguistics (Students answer one item from a choice of two or three) and German Literature (Students answer one item from a choice of two). Items are typically based on coursework.
Part III: Germanic Linguistics: Synchronic and Diachronic (Students answer two items from a choice of three or four). Items are typically based on coursework and the Linguistics Reading List.
Part IV: Oral Exam (Primarily addresses Coursework and Written Exams, but also includes Linguistics Reading List).
General Exam Structure for Germanic Philology Exam
1. An exam committee consists of at least three people and is set up by the student with the graduate advisor. Students pass each part by majority vote. In case of a tie, the student passes. All written parts must be passed in order to proceed to the oral exam. If a student fails part of the written exam, only that part must be retaken.
2. Students must have passed the German language proficiency exam C1 before being admitted to the comprehensive exams.
3. Each written exam will last three hours (i.e., one hour and thirty minutes per item). “Item” may refer to one in-depth question, several shorter questions, brief identifications, or a combination thereof.
4. A set of practice questions will be available from the graduate advisor.
5. Students may view their corrected exams but may not make copies or remove them from the department.
6. Students are encouraged to have an external M.A. exam committee member if that best reflects their coursework.
Admission Requirements and Courses
Applicant Resources provided by the Graduate School
Electronic Application Center provided by the Graduate School
For any further information regarding graduate studies in German at the University of Alabama please contact the graduate advisor for German Dr. Rasma Lazda. If you are interested in the Germanic Philology / Linguistics track, you may also contact directly Dr. Douglas Lightfoot.