German Studies Requirements

The German program emphasizes the acquisition of superior skills in the German language as the basis for the study of the literatures and cultures of the German-speaking world. Unless otherwise noted, all courses are taught in German as students continue to hone their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Upper-level courses provide training in close reading and analysis of literary and cultural texts in order to further students’ understanding of a culture different from their own. Students at all levels explore literature and film alongside culture and politics as well as history and contemporary affairs.

Majors in German studies are encouraged to study their entire junior year in a German-speaking country; majors and minors are encouraged to spend at least one semester abroad. Study-abroad options include approved programs in Berlin, Munich, Freiburg, Tübingen, and Salzburg. The German faculty welcomes inquiries from students regarding the different programs and the one-semester and full-year options.

The major in German studies and the German minor provide excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue German-related grant opportunities, employment in international companies and organizations, or careers in government or academics.

Chair, Associate Professor Alicia E. Ellis

Associate Professors Alicia E. Ellis and Arne Koch; Visiting Assistant Professor Andrew Hamilton; Language Assistant Erik Lemke

The major in German studies requires 10 semester courses: six courses taught in German numbered above 127 including a 200-, a 300-, and a 400-level course and four additional courses chosen from the German curriculum, taken abroad, or chosen from courses with a substantial German component in departments such as Art, Government, History, Music, and Philosophy. Once declared, all majors must take at least one course in the German program each semester they are on campus until graduation.

• The point scale for retention of the major and the minor is based on all required and approved courses numbered above German 127 for the major and German 126 for the minor.
• No major requirement may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
• Transfer of credits for courses from other institutions, including study abroad, will be evaluated by the advisor in German on an individual basis.
• Teacher certification: Students desiring certification for teaching German should consult the faculty in German and in the Education Program.

Art

• 238 Vienna 1900

• 142 Introduction to Cinema Studies

• 221 Second Language Pedagogy

• 200 Foundations of Literary Studies
• 271 Critical Theory

• 259 Introduction to European Politics
• 266 German Politics
• 344 Post-Communist Transformations
• 457 Seminar: Germany and Europe

• 111 Europe from the Classical World to the Religious Wars
• 141 Genocide and Globalization: 20th-Century World History

• 242 Music History II: Topics in Baroque and Classical Music

• 232 History of Modern Philosophy
• 314 Karl Marx and Marxist Philosophical Thought
• 337 Philosophy of Humor
• 353 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy

• 181 Conceptions of Jews and Judaism
• 182 Jews, Judaism, and the Modern World

• 131 Introduction to Sociology
• 215 Classical Sociological Theory