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The German Major Program
The major in German is designed to acquaint the student with the language,
literature, and culture of German-speaking countries. A variety of courses
complements broad surveys and overviews, i.e., courses structured around
a theme, an individual author, a specific literary movement, or a genre.
As one of the smaller departments, we can be more receptive to the needs
of individual students. Flexibility is provided by the German Studies
option, the Junior Year in Munich Program (see below), and the Berlin
Consortium Study Abroad Program (see below). Faculty members in the Department
of Germanic Languages and Literatures are active in the General Literature
and Comparative Literature Programs and tend to view German literature
within the broader European context. A major or double major in German
has proven advantageous for students enrolled as prelaw or premed, as
well as for those contemplating a career in education, foreign service,
or international business.
Minimum Requirement 12.5 c.u.
The student's course of study must be set up in consultation with the undergraduate chair in 745 Williams Hall. A prospective major is invited to seek advice in the departmental office (898-7332).
Option 1: Literature
and Language
The German Literature and Language track requires 12 credits: Six core
courses offered by the department: German 215, 216, 221, 269, German 399
(in conjunction with a senior thesis), and one of the following: German
530 (History of the German Language), German 516 (Teaching Methods), German
531, German 532, or an approved linguistics course. (German 531 or German
532 may be taken in conjunction with the senior thesis.) At least three
of the remaining courses must be German literature courses at the 300
level or above. The remaining courses may be selected from the varied
departmental offerings, and can include any of the undergraduate literature
and/or culture courses conducted in German. A maximum of two courses may
(upon consultation with the Undergraduate Chair) be drawn from such related
fields as Classical Studies, English, other foreign languages and literatures,
Comparative Literature, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, or German literature
in translation (e.g. German 242, 244, 255, 256).
Option II: German
Studies
The German Studies track requires 12 credits: Seven core courses offered
by the department: German 215, 221, 269, 216 or a 300-level course in
literature, 399 (in conjunction with a senior thesis) and two courses
in the fields of German culture, literature, or business. These courses,
which may include business courses and courses at the 300 level and above,
must, taken together, constitute a meaningful preparation and be approved
in advance by the Undergraduate Chair. Up to five courses in other departments
(e.g. Art History, Music, International Relations, History, Philosophy,
Political Science, Jewish Studies, Religious Studies) or in an approved
Study Abroad program. These courses must focus on German culture, history,
or politics in the European context.
Majors must write a senior thesis (30-35pp.) under the supervision of a faculty member. Part of the senior thesis project (German 399) will entail meeting regularly in the Undergraduate Chair's research colloquium for students writing theses (German 395).
Honors will be conferred within the departmental major as follows: Highest Honors: An A on the senior thesis and a g.p.a. of at least 3.75 in the major. High Honors: An A or A- on the senior thesis and a g.p.a. of at least 3.5 in the major. Honors: An A- on the senior thesis and a g.p.a. of at least 3.0 in the major. In order to qualify for any departmental honors (that is, those listed above), a student must have achieved an overall g.p.a. of at least 3.0.
updated: 8/8/03