THE MAJOR
Majoring in German allows students to deepen their understanding of German culture and to develop their communication skills in both the written and spoken language.
In courses for the major, students gain an understanding of German literature, civilization, and contemporary culture as they develop analytical and communication skills in the language. All courses for the German major are taught in German.
German majors are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one of the study or internship opportunities abroad (see below), during either an Interim, summer, semester, or full-year program.
Level II courses beyond the language requirement are divided into two sequences.
In 250-level courses, students focus intensively on development of their language skills while learning to do close textual analysis. These courses, which are targeted primarily at first- and second-year students, provide an introduction to the content areas of the major while sharpening specific critical and linguistic skills. The targeted proficiency level is ACTFL Advanced. All 250-level courses count toward the German major and are open to non-majors.
In 270-level courses, students continue to explore new content areas in German culture at the same time advancing language skills to writing strategies for seminar papers. Courses at this level are designed to prepare students for level III seminar work. The targeted proficiency level is ACTFL Advanced or Advanced Plus.
Level III courses build upon students’ interpretive skills and the knowledge of the German-speaking world they have gained in 270-level courses, as well as through study in Germany. Students examine in depth a particular genre, author, or topic through the analysis and interpretation of representative works. The targeted proficiency level is ACTFL Superior. All study abroad courses taught in German count toward the 270-level courses.
Students need not be German majors to take Level II and III courses or to study abroad. Most begin their study of German in the 231-232 sequence. They complete this sequence and take at least one writing course on campus at the 250-level or above before spending a semester or a year studying in Germany. Courses taken in Germany may satisfy general education requirements as well as requirements for the German or other majors.
Courses taken abroad in English may count toward the major in other departments with prior approval.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJORS/MINOR:
Graduation Major
A student must take eight courses in German above 232, including two 250-level courses, two 270-level courses (one of which must be taken on campus), two 370-level courses (one of which must be taken on campus), and two other courses of the student’s choice. An internship taken abroad may count as one of the three courses a student may bring back from a semester’s study in Germany or of the four courses a student may bring back from a year’s study in Germany.
Teaching Major
A student must take eight courses in German above 232, including an intensive speaking course (233 or 250) or a semester/year of study in Germany, three 250-level courses, two 270-level courses, and two 370-level courses, plus Education 353 and other courses required for certification.
Teaching Minor
A student must take four courses in German above 232, including an intensive speaking course (233 or 250) or a semester/year of study in Germany, two 250-level courses, one 270- or 370-level course, plus Education 353 and other courses required for certification.
