Intermediate German GRMN 0201/0202 is a culture-based intermediate language sequence that focuses students' attention on intercultural aspects of language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, reading and writing strategies, and a review of grammar. It moves from a focus on issues of individual identity and personal experiences to a discussion of Germany today (GRMN 0201), explores national identity in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and supplies an overview of cultural history, literary achievements, and philosophical traditions in the German-speaking world

Fin-de-siècle Vienna Major innovations in art, architecture, music, and literature occurred in Vienna at the turn of the century. Politically the Habsburg monarchy was, unknowingly, nearing its end. Despite contributions by Gustav Klimt, Otto Wagner, Arnold Schönberg, and Arthur Schnitzler, scholarship often viewed fin-de-siècle Vienna as a period of decline and decay in which art and literature were characteristically apolitical. In this course an introduction to the historical, political, and cultural events of the Habsburg monarchy serves as background information through which to examine Austria-Hungary’s literature, music, and arts around 1900. Readings will include texts by A. Schnitzler, R. Musil, H. v. Hofmannsthal, and P. Altenberg. (Formerly GRMN 0460).

Accelerated Beginning German This class is aimed at students who wish to begin the study of German on the fast lane. In one semester, we will cover a year's material, the equivalent of GRMN 0101, 0102, and 0103. We will develop all four skills in an intensive, immersion-style environment, allowing students to continue German in the regular second-year classes in the fall. Classes meet five times per week, including two 75-minute meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and an additional drill session. Students are expected to fully participate in all departmental  activities. No prerequisites. 6 hr lect./disc./1 hr. drill

Intermediate German Continued GRMN 0201/0202 is a culture-based intermediate language sequence that focuses students' attention on intercultural aspects of language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, reading and writing strategies, and a review of grammar. It moves from a focus on issues of individual identity and personal experiences to a discussion of Germany today (GRMN 0201), explores national identity in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and supplies an overview of cultural history, literary achievements, and philosophical traditions in the German-speaking world

Beginning German Continued This course is the intensive continuation of GRMN 0101 which will further the development of your language skills in an immersion-like environment, and will include bi-weekly cultural readings in English. Classes meet for two hours each morning, then lunch at the language tables, in addition to afternoon and evening activities (e.g. film screenings). Completion of this course is a prerequisite to enrollment in GRMN 0103.

Piano, Piano: The Cultural History of the Piano In this seminar we will take a closer look at the culture(s) surrounding one of the most popular musical instruments in the Western world and its place in people’s lives, in our imagination, and in the musical industry. Despite its rather ‘high-brow culture’ reputation, the piano has in fact shaped the past three hundred years of Western life in more than just musical ways, and our course will map the piano’s place in our culture and the way in which we educate and entertain ourselves. Space, time, leisure and the piano have formed various combinations that speak to all of our senses, and it is these combinations that will make our topic so fascinating and multi-faceted.

The Berlin Wall: Then and Now From 1961 to 1989 the Berlin Wall was a physical reminder of the ideological divide separating East and West Germany. We will examine the wall's inception, its history, and the role it played in the political, cultural, and literary landscapes of divided Germany. We will also investigate the evidence of a persistent "inner wall" that continues to separate East and West Germans after political reunification. Our texts will interrogate the perspectives of both East and West and will include journalistic accounts, speeches, films and documentaries, and fiction from writers such as Christa Wolf and Peter Schneider.

How Grim Are the Grimm Brothers? Rereading Fairy Tales This course focuses on modern (re)readings of the Grimm brothers' fairy tales. Starting with a discussion of the brothers' lives and the cultural setting at the beginning of the nineteenth century, we concentrate on contemporary issues in these tales. Various approaches to literature allow us to create many spheres of interpretation. Historical, textual, psychological, and philosophical readings generate an array of possible meanings for modern audiences.

Weimar Germany Revisited (in English) In this course we will examine the brief but intense period of artistic creativity and political upheaval in Germany's first democracy, the Weimar Republic. Beginning with Germany's defeat in World War I, we will discuss the implications of the Versailles Treaty, the "stab-in-the-back" theory, and the growing political polarization leading to Hitler's rise to power. Contrasting this political decline with the period's increased cultural productivity, we will examine important movements like Expressionism, Dadaism, and New Objectivity in literature, the visual arts, theater, and film. Readings will include texts by Döblin, Th. Mann, Kracauer, Kästner, and Brecht. Reflecting on Weimar Germany's echo today, we will end the term with a critical evaluation of Netflix' hit show "Babylon Berlin." This course will be taught in English. This course is part of the Public Humanities Labs Initiative administered by the Axinn Center for the Humanities./

German Theatre in Action In this course, students will prepare and stage a full production of a German play. After five weeks of seminar-style academic discussions of this work in context (the genre, the author, the topic, the time) and aspects of theatrical performance (theory), the class will prepare the show for the last week of the semester (two rehearsals/ week). Students will make informed staging decisions as a group and come to understand performance as a powerful mediator in the never-ending process of negotiating literary meaning.

Law and Justice in German Literature This course focuses on the concepts of “Recht, Gerechtigkeit, Justiz” in German literature. A long literary tradition has seen authors inquire into the complex relationships between what is just and what is the law, and author-activists or judge-authors are frequent participants in public discourse about these issues. Discussion topics include the relationship between “Recht” and “Gerechtigkeit”, vigilante law, divine/ poetic justice, and the judicial system. Texts by F. Schiller, H. Kleist, G. Büchner, F. Kafka, A. Döblin, H. Böll, F. Dürrenmatt, Chr. Brückner, and F. von Schierach.

Bettina Matthias

Reviews and ratings for Bettina Matthias at Middlebury College.Bettina Matthias teaches Intermediate German, Fin-de-Siecle Vienna, Accelerated Beginning German and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Bettina Matthias good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This course is no joke, but if you put in the required effort then you will, somehow, come out knowing German after 12 weeks. The worst part about the class are the online homework assignments, which are daily and incredibly annoying. However, everything else is awesome. Bettina is an outstanding instructor but also a great person and will answer all your questions and is super accommodating. This course is not for the faint of heart but I am very glad I took it. 

The J-term edition of Beginning German can only be described as drinking from a fire hose—this was the first course I've taken that I truly felt I was only learning for the next vocab quiz or chapter test. The format of the class is no different from the fall term but everything is condensed down and moves at 2x the speed (vocab quiz every week, 2x the homework, etc...) and both students and professors seemed rushed—Bettina would often try to move us from one topic/activity to the next with very little chance to ask questions or go over things if we were confused. The one fun part was the final project in which we were to make a short film based upon the murder mystery novel we read.

Bettina is a wonderful teacher! She is very enthusiastic and does a good job of including all students in the group discussion. Just like 100 level German, there is homework every night, but the workbook is not too difficult.