A Year-Long Graduate Seminar in German Culture Studies at Indiana

The report describes how an interdisciplinary graduate program can be operated at low cost and without long-term committment by the institution. The year-long Graduate Culture Studies seminar at Indiana, instituted in 1981, is used as an example. Once support for program parts is secured, a full set of courses can be provided by cooperating departments. A guest professor from abroad is present part of the year. A colloquium brings the various disciplines together and applies the course material to current affairs. Participants come from and return to any of the related disciplines. The program does not lead to a diploma, but courses can be applied to regular degrees. It is expected that the experience gained will further the development of a German Studies concept and curriculum.