Modality
On Campus
Program URL
https://german.georgetown.edu/
The Ph.D. program in German fosters students’ critical thinking, intellectual engagement (with a range of competing ideas, concepts, and approaches), and comprehensive knowledge either in the area of literary and cultural studies or in German second language teaching and learning (G/SLA). The Department defines “comprehensive knowledge” as the ability to make connections between texts and ideas across historical periods and theoretical approaches at a high conceptual level.
Our commitment to individual mentoring and to generous year-round support makes completion of the degree in five years not only highly desirable but also financially and academically feasible.
Other program features include: attention to non-native speakers in attaining high levels of ability in German; graduate exchanges with the Universities of Trier and Dresden; and generous assistance for students in presenting work at conferences.
Academic Policies
Student performance is assessed in the annual graduate review letters from the Director of Graduate Studies, based on written input from all faculty and discussion of students’ performance at the first faculty meeting of the calendar year. Continuation in the graduate program is contingent upon academic progress and faculty recommendation.
Joint Program
The Ph.D. in German can be completed in tandem with the Master of Arts in European Studies. Details regarding requirements can be found on page 19 of the School of Foreign Service Graduate Programs Addendum.
Program Requirements
Students usually take 17 courses in six semesters, including a minimum of two courses in German Applied Linguistics, one of which is a required course in Second Language Teaching and Learning. First year students may take courses in the German department only. Students take a regular course load of nine credits: three graduate level courses, one of which is “Fundamentals of Teaching towards Advanced Literacy in a Foreign Language.” Thereafter students may take no more than one course per semester in another department with approval of advisor, with the exception of SLA students who may occasionally take more than one course in the Linguistics Department.
Required Examinations
At the end of their course work, students will take the doctoral qualifying exam that consists of an oral and written component. (The student’s advisor will coordinate all logistical aspects of the exam.) Both parts of the exam are designed to assess comprehensive knowledge and intellectual engagement as defined above. Particular emphasis is placed on an examinee’s preparedness to perform independent research.
Students are expected to demonstrate their qualifications as generalists and as specialists in a given research area. Successful completion of the examination will assist them in identifying a dissertation topic. Students who have successfully completed the exam present the results of the written exam (i.e., the literature review) at a public event and advance to Ph.D. candidacy.
Thesis Requirements
Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Format
The Dissertation proposal, approved by the dissertation committee, should be submitted to the Graduate School during the same semester in which the student presents the literature review.
The Department accepts two dissertation formats: the monograph form; or a series of five related projects and a reflective essay. Both formats demonstrate the student’s ability to perform independent and original scholarship. The second format (five related projects) requires particularly close consultation with the advisor and the dissertation committee.
Dissertation Defense
Upon successful completion of the dissertation, a two-hour dissertation defense is scheduled. The defense consists of the student’s presentation of dissertation research and results (approx. 20 minutes), followed by comments and questions from the dissertation committee and the public. Once the requested revisions are completed and approved by the advisor, the dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School.
