Marx and the Culture of Capitalism (GERM-UA 242)

The course serves as an introduction to the thought and legacy of Karl Marx. Marx’s theory of capitalism centers on the concept of value. Value is the interface between culture and commerce, the hinge on which Marx’s theory and Marxism turn. Although Marx sometimes distinguished between an economic “base” and a legal-cultural “superstructure,” he managed to depict the culture of capitalism as a whole. This method forms one of his crucial legacies, which we will explore in and after Marx. Organized around a slow reading of Capital, Volume 1, the course will also feature short readings from those who inspired Marx (David Ricardo, G. W. F. Hegel, Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace) and those his work influenced (Rosa Luxemburg, Theodor W. Adorno, Stuart Hall, Donna Haraway). We will follow the trajectory that Capital itself takes, from the commodity and the concept of value to machinery, cooperation, and accumulation.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2022)


GERM-UA 242-000 (20010)
09/01/2022 – 12/14/2022 Tue,Thu
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Weatherby, Leif

Techniques of Translation (GERM-UA 153)

Offered periodically. 4 points. Introduces students to the history, theory, and practice of translation through German and English texts taken from a variety of cultural backgrounds. While engaging in the craft of translation first hand, students encounter diverse grammatical, syntactical, and stylistic problems, thus gaining a deeper understanding of the German language. Also stresses the acquisition of vocabulary and complex idiomatic structures necessary for effective reading comprehension, as well as written expression.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)


GERM-UA 153-000 (23761)
09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Tue,Thu
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Morning)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Dortmann, Andrea

Composition/Conversation (GERM-UA 9111)

Composition & Conversation is designed for post-intermediate students of German who have a solid grasp of German grammar and vocabulary and wish to extend their knowledge of the German language, history, and culture through reading, watching films, discussions, and writing. Conversation & Composition is a reading- and writing-intensive course. Emphasis will be placed on refining written expression and developing the ability to express, discuss, and argue opinions.This course will give you an overview of recent German political, social and cultural history after 1945 and onwards. Focus will be placed on moments of social criticism and changes – from the youth cultures in the 50s and 80s to the women’s movement and ecological protests, from love happenings and terrorism to mass demonstrations and the fall of the wall. During the course, we will explore narratives that are related to our topics from a variety of genres: newspaper/magazine articles, TV/radio documentaries, music, film, photography, and other visual material. The class is taught entirely in German and emphasizes the language skills necessary to communicate effectively in a foreign language speaking, reading, viewing, writing, and listening.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2025)


GERM-UA 9111-000 (1858)
01/20/2025 – 04/30/2025 Mon,Thu
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Morning)
at NYU Berlin (Global)
Instructed by

Intensive Intermediate German (GERM-UA 20)

Completes the equivalent of a year?s intermediate work GERM-UA 3 and GERM-UA 4 in one semester. Continuing emphasis on developing spoken and written communication skills. Students learn more-advanced features of the language and begin to read longer and more-complex texts.

German (Undergraduate)
6 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)


GERM-UA 20-000 (20255)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Habbig, Uta

Introduction to German Literature (GERM-UA 152)

Introduction to representative authors and works of German literature, with emphasis on the modern period. Students learn basic conventions of literature and literary interpretation, as well as strategies for the effective reading of shorter and longer prose works, drama, and poetry. Guided writing assignments focus on developing the language skills necessary for effective written analysis and interpretation of literary texts in German.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)


GERM-UA 152-000 (8247)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Tue,Thu
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Densky, Doreen

Intensive Elementary German (GERM-UA 10)

Open to students with no previous training in German and to others on assignment by placement examination or with permission of the department. Completes the equivalent of a year’s elementary work GERM-UA 1 and GERM-UA 2 in one semester. Emphasizes spoken and written communication skills. Introduces students to the basic conventions, idioms, and structures of contemporary spoken German.

German (Undergraduate)
6 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)


GERM-UA 10-000 (8246)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Late afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Wagner, James

Elementary German II (GERM-UA 2)

Continuation of GERM-UA 1.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)


GERM-UA 2-000 (8240)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Mon,Wed,Fri
12:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Hilbig-Bokaer, Aviv


GERM-UA 2-000 (8241)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Tue,Thu,Fri
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Morning)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Landmann, Julia


GERM-UA 2-000 (8242)
01/24/2022 – 05/09/2022 Mon,Wed,Fri
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Morning)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Ruckdeschel, Manuela

Elementary German I (GERM-UA 1)

Open only to students with no previous training in German; others require permission of the department. Offered every semester. 4 points.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2024)


GERM-UA 1-000 (6312)
09/03/2024 – 12/12/2024 Mon,Wed,Fri
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Morning)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Blankenhorn, Raymond


GERM-UA 1-000 (6313)
09/03/2024 – 12/12/2024 Tue,Thu,Fri
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Morning)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Densky, Doreen


GERM-UA 1-000 (6314)
09/03/2024 – 12/12/2024 Tue,Thu,Fri
12:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Early afternoon)
at Washington Square
Instructed by Wagner, James

Marx, Nietzsche, & Freud (GERM-UA 9240)

This interdisciplinary course examines the works of Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, three German-speaking writers who pioneered radically different and influential interpretations of modern life, which continue to shape our contemporary understanding of society and individuality. The seminar not only delves into the origins of these prominent traditions of modern Western thought, but also underscores their relevance in modern social theories and poetics. Hence, the course will also include references to the writings of their contemporaries, as well as explications of the direct and indirect influences of Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud on other writers.

German (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 14 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2020)


GERM-UA 9240-000 (9424)
02/03/2020 – 05/14/2020 Mon
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Late afternoon)
at NYU Berlin (Global)
Instructed by Steilen, Felix