Bettina Matthias
Office
FIC 223
Tel
(802) 443-3248
Email
bmatthia@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
Spring 2024: Monday, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Thursday, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and by appointment.

Bettina Matthias holds an M.A. from the Universität Hamburg (French, German) and a Ph.D. in German Literature from the University of Washington (Seattle). She joined Middlebury’s German Department in 1999, received tenure in 2006 and became full professor in 2010. Since 2014, she has also served as the director of Middlebury’s intensive German Summer Language School.

Professor Matthias has published books and articles on Arthur Schnitzler, early twentieth century German and Austrian literature and culture (hotel studies), and on theater-in-education. Her second research and artistic focus as a classically trained pianist is on vocal music. Since 2000, she has been on the faculty for the German School’s special program “German for Singers” and has directed the program since 2010. She has also written a special beginning German textbook for the program.

Ms Matthias is also the founder and director of the German Theater Group at Middlebury, as well as the co-director of the German Summer Language School’s annual opera project, and she has directed over 40 plays and operas over the past 20 years.

Courses Taught

Course Description

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. (GRMN 0101 or equivalent)

Terms Taught

Winter 2023

Requirements

LNG, WTR

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Course Description

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

Terms Taught

Spring 2020

Requirements

LNG

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Course Description

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 (GRMN 0103 or equivalent, or GRMN 0111) 5 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2023

Requirements

EUR, LNG

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Course Description

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 (GRMN 0201) 5 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2024

Requirements

EUR, LNG

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Course Description

German Theatre Project (Half credit)
The German Theater Project offers German students across levels the opportunity to participate in the production of a full-length play in German. The course promotes immersive, project-based, collaborative learning in the target language and focuses on developing oral proficiency, diction, embodied textual analysis and interpretation, and presentational skills. Through 2 - 3 rehearsals weekly, memorization, and the public performance of the chosen play, participants will gain confidence in using German as their language of choice and interacting freely with speakers from various skill levels.(Half credit course)

Terms Taught

Spring 2024

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Course Description

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./

Terms Taught

Fall 2023

Requirements

EUR, LIT

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Course Description

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). 3 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Spring 2021

Requirements

EUR, LIT

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Course Description

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. (At least two 0300+-level courses or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect/disc. (Formerly GRMN 0418)

Terms Taught

Spring 2023

Requirements

ART, EUR, LIT

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Course Description

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. (GRMN 0202, or instructor approval) 3 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Fall 2021

Requirements

EUR, LIT, LNG

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Course Description

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. (Formerly GRMN 0313) 3 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Spring 2020, Spring 2024

Requirements

EUR, LIT

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Course Description

Weimar Germany and Its Legacies
In this course we will examine the brief and intense period of artistic creativity and political upheaval in Germany's first democracy, the Weimar Republic. Beginning with Germany's humiliating defeat in World War I we will discuss the implications of the Versailles Treaty, the Dolchstoß (stab-in-the-back) theory, the stillborn revolution of 1918-1919, and the growing political polarization and apathy leading to Hitler's rise to power. Contrasting the political decline with the increased in cultural productivity, we will trace the artists' outcry for spiritual rebirth, examining the development of Expressionism, Dadaism, and New Objectivity in literature, visual arts, theater, and film. Readings will include texts by Döblin, Th. Mann, V. Baum, Kracauer, Kästner, Brecht, and Hans Fallada. Special project: preparation of an art exhibit in MCA opening in fall 2014. (Formerly GRMN 0403) 3 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020

Requirements

EUR, LIT

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Course Description

Open Topics Research Seminar
In this seminar students will develop and pursue a research project on a topic of their choice. After reading and discussing research methodology and building research strategies, students will formally present a research proposal to their peers and the department’s professors. The seminar will culminate in each student completing a research paper, translation, or creative project with theoretical underpinnings. Class discussions, presentations, and research papers will be in German. (One course above GRMN300 or by waiver)

Terms Taught

Winter 2021

Requirements

LNG, WTR

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Course Description

Independent Study
(Approval only)

Terms Taught

Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025

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Course Description

Honors Project
(Approval only)

Terms Taught

Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025

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Course Description

Elementary Diction, Culture and Acting for the German Stage

The performance component carries one unit of credit and includes one hour of formal instruction every day (diction, cultural history, acting for the German stage), weekly private coaching; one public recital; one public performance of the summer's opera project; and an intensive audition training workshop at the end of the program. Repertoire will include German Lieder, oratorio, and operatic arias for the recital. Students are expected to arrive with a minimum of three songs or arias memorized; additional assignments and work focused on the opera production will be announced during the summer. The following course numbers are only different because they correspond with the language level each student is enrolled in, but all students in the following courses are in the same group, taking the same performance classes, and participating in the same projects and workshops.

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

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Course Description

Early intermediate Diction, Culture and Acting for the German Stage

The performance component carries one unit of credit and includes one hour of formal instruction every day (diction, cultural history, acting for the German stage), weekly private coaching; one public recital; one public performance of the summer's opera project; and an intensive audition training workshop at the end of the program. Repertoire will include German Lieder, oratorio, and operatic arias for the recital. Students are expected to arrive with a minimum of three songs or arias memorized; additional assignments and work focused on the opera production will be announced during the summer. The following course numbers are only different because they correspond with the language level each student is enrolled in, but all students in the following courses are in the same group, taking the same performance classes, and participating in the same projects and workshops.

Required texts:
Texts will be available for purchase at the College Bookstore after all placement testing has been completed.

Terms Taught

Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

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Course Description

In this class, students will get a first survey of periods in German literature and be introduced to some of their most important voices and shorter works. Engaging with texts from a variety of genres, students will learn about movements in German literature through time and about synchronicities and asynchronicities of discourses and aesthetics. A special emphasis will be placed on the interplay between the history of German-speaking countries and literary production.

Terms Taught

Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

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Course Description

Intermediate Diction, Culture and Acting for the German Stage

The performance component carries one unit of credit and includes one hour of formal instruction every day (diction, cultural history, acting for the German stage), weekly private coaching; one public recital; one public performance of the summer's opera project; and an intensive audition training workshop at the end of the program. Repertoire will include German Lieder, oratorio, and operatic arias for the recital. Students are expected to arrive with a minimum of three songs or arias memorized; additional assignments and work focused on the opera production will be announced during the summer. The following course numbers are only different because they correspond with the language level each student is enrolled in, but all students in the following courses are in the same group, taking the same performance classes, and participating in the same projects and workshops.

Required texts:
Texts will be available for purchase at the College Bookstore after all placement testing has been completed.

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

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Course Description

This course will introduce students to the diverse voices contributing to the modern German literary scene. The course will situate literary works from the German-speaking countries within larger discourses about globalization, nature, and identity. Analysis will focus on the interplay between content, language, and form/ genre, and readings from earlier periods will help contextualize the modern German literary discourse about these pressing issues.

Terms Taught

Summer 2020 Language Schools

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Course Description

Advanced Diction, Culture and Acting for the German Stage I

The performance component carries one unit of credit and includes one hours of formal instruction every day (diction, cultural history, acting for the German stage), weekly private coachings; one public recital; one public performance of the summer's opera project; and an intensive audition training workshop at the end of the program. Repertoire will include German Lieder, oratorio, and operatic arias for the recital. Students are expected to arrive with a minimum of three songs or arias memorized; additional assignments and work focused on the opera production will be announced during the summer. The following course numbers are only different because they correspond with the language level each student is enrolled in, but all students in the following courses are in the same group, taking the same performance classes, and participating in the same projects and workshops.

Required texts:
Texts will be available for purchase at the College Bookstore after all placement testing has been completed.

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

Requirements

LNG

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Course Description

Advanced Diction, Culture and Acting for the German Stage II

The performance component carries one unit of credit and includes one hours of formal instruction every day (diction, cultural history, acting for the German stage), weekly private coachings; one public recital; one public performance of the summer's opera project; and an intensive audition training workshop at the end of the program. Repertoire will include German Lieder, oratorio, and operatic arias for the recital. Students are expected to arrive with a minimum of three songs or arias memorized; additional assignments and work focused on the opera production will be announced during the summer. The following course numbers are only different because they correspond with the language level each student is enrolled in, but all students in the following courses are in the same group, taking the same performance classes, and participating in the same projects and workshops.

Required texts:
Texts will be available for purchase at the College Bookstore after all placement testing has been completed.

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 7 Week Session

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

“Vienna 1900” has become an established cultural coordinate in European cultural history. As the power and influence of the Habsburg Empire started to wane, Austria-Hungary, and especially its capital Vienna, became synonymous with both an almost radical conservatism and radical modernism. Populist conservatives (the Emperor, G. von Schönerer, K. Lueger) coexisted with radical modernists such Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Wittgenstein, or Ernst Mach, creating the feverish breeding ground for an explosion of artistic creativity and innovation (A. Schnitzler, G. Klimt, A. Schönberg). Looking at “Fin de Siècle Vienna” as both a place and a cultural period right before First World War, this seminar will examine some of its most prominent representatives and their contributions to what philosopher Hermann Broch dubbed the “happy apocalypse” that was Vienna 1900. Readings will include texts by Arthur Schnitzler, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Sigmund Freud, Karl Krauss, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and we will examine works by visual and musical artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Johann Strauss jr. and Arnold Schönberg. (B. Matthias)

Terms Taught

Summer 2020 Language Schools

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Course Description

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

Requirements

Area Studies

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Course Description

Terms Taught

Summer 2020 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Terms Taught

Summer 2021 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session, Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session, Summer 2023 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

View in Course Catalog