Münster Summer Abroad Program
Since 1975, Vassar College has conducted a summer program in the Münster Summer Program, the oldest summer abroad program at Vassar College and one of the oldest in the country. The Münster Summer Program is sponsored jointly with The College of William and Mary, and Sweet Briar College. The program offers students a unique living-learning experience where classroom instruction and surroundings reinforce each other. Students 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 culture. The program is open to students in good standing who have completed at least one year of Elementary German or the equivalent.
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 formerly 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.
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 or the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187. 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:
- Intermediate German. (W&M-201)
An intensive grammar review progressively accentuating reading skills; practice in simple essay writing. - German Conversation I. (W&M-206)
Study of idiomatic phrases and synonyms to develop skill and confidence in discussions. - German Conversation II. (W&M-306)
Intensive oral training in expressing personal and critical views in idiomatic German. Readings of contemporary texts provide a background for discussions. - German Civilization. (W&M-307 or 300)
Germany's political and cultural development from 800-1648 with emphasis on the interrelationship of the history of the arts. Excursions to cultural sites will support the instruction. (Recommended to all participants.) - German Literature. (W&M-410)
Representative works of nineteenth and twentieth century German literature. Special attention is given to the relationship between the artist and society. - Independent Study. (W&M-411)
Program on German literature or culture to be worked out in consultation with an instructor. (Registration for all courses will be at Vassar College or the College of William and Mary.)
Tentative Itinerary
- May 30 Evening flight from New York to Düsseldorf
Excursion I: Cologne & Southern Germany (May 31-June 5)
- May 31 Morning arrival in Cologne
- June 1 Visit of Cologne's cathedral, the Roman-Germanic Museum and the Ludwig Museum.
- June 2 Boat-ride along the Rhine castles and the Lorelei Rock to Rüdesheim.
- June 3 Continuation of tour by motor coach to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
- June 4 Walking tour through Rothenburg and trip to Sommerhausen.
- June 5 Trip to famous baroque Würzburg Residence. In the evening arrival in Münster.
- June 5-July 5 Homestay and courses in Münster.
Excursion II: Weimar & Berlin (June 30-July 5)
- July 5 Visit of Wartburg Castle in afternoon. Walking tour through Weimar to houses of Goethe and Schiller. Evening arrival in Weimar.
- July 6-10 Visit of Luther's Wittenberg on way to Berlin; tour to Potsdam with Sanssouci; visit of major art galleries and opportunity to attend stage productions by Berlin operas and theaters.
- July 10 Return to Münster.
- July 11 Departure from Düsseldorf. Individual return flights can be arranged prior to May 20 for students who wish to travel independently after termination of the program.
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 $3,850 and covers tuition, room and board, travel by air from New York to Europe and return, excursion to Berlin including board, lodgings, and all admissions to museums. The fee does not include transportation to New York or Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. at the beginning and to Düsseldorf at the end of the program; public transportation in Germany (Cologne, Münster, Berlin); insurance and personal expenditures; and texts for the courses. The fees will be due by March 31,1999; no refunds can be made after this date. Payments for airline tickets may be required early in March to guarantee the best fares.
Application
The application should be completed in type or print and mailed with a $40 (non-refundable) application fee by March 1 to:
Professor Günter Klabes Director, German Summer in Münster Box 384 Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
or by William and Mary students to:
Dr. Ann Moore Director of Programs Abroad Reves Center for International Studies The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
or by Sweet Briar students to:
Professor Ronald Horwege Department of Foreign Languages Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA 24595