The German Section of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

German Summer
in Münster

Sponsored by the Colleges of
Vassar, Sweet Briar and Hampden-Sydney

Summer 2009
38th Year

Vassar College, Sweet Briar College and Hampden-Sydney College sponsor jointly a summer program that offers students the opportunity of a unique living-learning experience where classroom instruction and environment reinforce each other. The program is open to students in good standing who have completed at least one year of Elementary German or the equivalent.

Students will live in private homes for the time of their stay in Münster to enjoy an atmosphere of everyday conversational German. The personal contact with native families provides a first-hand experience of German life and thought.
Location
Courses of Instruction
Tentative Itinerary
Cost and Payments
Application
Photo Gallery

Location

The site of the academic program is Münster, one of Germany's oldest and most picturesque university towns. Founded in 793, Münster became the capital of Westphalia and was chosen as the scene for the signing of the Peace Treaty after the Thirty Years War in 1648. The cultural and intellectual awareness of this former hanseatic city is manifested in its rich examples of virtually all major architectural styles, notably its beautifully restored medieval buildings and its many excellent institutions of higher learning.

The University of Münster, one of Germany's largest, was chartered in 1773. Its growing popularity is reflected in the present student enrollment of over 40,000.


Dom in Münster

Münster's convenient location to other countries easily permits students to take excursions to France, Holland, and Denmark if they wish to gain insight into other European cultures.

Courses of Instruction

Two courses may be taken for credit and one additional course audited. Transcripts may he obtained from the Office of the Registrar, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 . The program will be supervised on-site by two faculty members, one from Vassar and one from either William & Mary or Sweet Briar.

The following courses are offered:

1. Intermediate German.
An intensive grammar review progressively accentuating reading skills; practice in simple essay writing.
2. German Conversation I.
Study of idiomatic phrases and synonyms to develop skill and confidence in discussions.

3. German Conversation II.
Intensive oral training in expressing personal and critical views in idiomatic German. Readings of contemporary texts provide a background for discussions.
4. German Culture and Literature
Political and cultural developments of the last two centuries with emphasis on the interrelationship of German literature,history, and the arts.

5. Independent Study.
Program on German literature or culture to be worked out in consultation with an instructor.

(Registration for all courses will be at Vassar College )

Tentative Itinerary

May 25
Evening flight from New York or Washington,D.C. to Düsseldorf
Excursion I: Cologne & Southern Germany (May 29-June 3)
May 26
Morning arrival in Cologne
May 27
Visit of Cologne's cathedral, the Roman-Germanic Museum and the Ludwig Museum.
May 28
Boat-ride along the Rhine castles and the Lorelei Rock to Rüdesheim.
May 29
Continuation of tour by motor coach to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
May 30
Walking tour through Rothenburg and trip to Sommerhausen.
May 31
Trip to famous baroque Würzburg Residence.
In the evening arrival in Münster.
May 31 - July 2
Homestay and courses in Münster.
Excursion II: Berlin( July 2-July 6)
July 2 -July 6
Visit of Reichstag, Check Point Charlie Museum, major historic sites, and art galleries; opportunity to attend stage productions by Berlin operas and theaters.
July 6
Departure from Berlin.
On the excursions during the first and last weeks of the program, participants will stay in double or dormitory style rooms in comfortable inns or hostels, where meals will be served.

Cost and Payments


Due to the fluctuating dollar exchange rate, all dates and cost quotations are tentative and can only be confirmed shortly before our departure. The cost is expected to be $5,500 and covers tuition for two course credits, room and board for Münster homestay, two one-week excursions to Southern Germany and Berlin including board, lodgings, boat rides, field trip, and all guided tours and admissions to museums. The fee does not include airfare, public transportaion in Germany (Munster, Berlin), insurance, and personal expenditures.

The fees will be due by March 31, 2009; no refunds can be made after this date. You can make your own flight arrangements or contact our travel agent at Columbiatravel@taconic.net for our group-fare rate or for altertnate travel options.

Application

The application should be completed in type or print and mailed with a $40 (non-refundable) application fee by March 1 to:

Vassar Students
William and Mary Students
Sweet Briar Students
Professor Günter Klabes,
Director, German Summer in Münster
Box 384
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0384
Professor Dirk Johnson
Department of Foreign Languages
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney,VA 23943
Professor Ronald Horwege
Dept. of Modern Languages and Literatures
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA 24595
Fax: 434-381-6494


Application Form for fax or regular mail

 

Münster Information

Go to: Stadnetz für Münster
Go to: Westline.de
Go to: Westfällische Nachrichten
Go to: Münstersche Zeitung

Return to: The German Department at SBC

Return to: Sweet Briar College Main Site

http://www.german.sbc.edu/munsterprogram.html
This page is maintained by Dr. Ronald Horwege, Professor of German, Sweet Briar College
Please direct comments and 6uestions to him: , horwege@sbc.edu. (344) 381-6188.
Last updated January 7, 2009 by Ronald Horwege