German Language and Literature

Requirements for Major

German Language and Literature: ten courses or 30 credits in German at the 3000 level or above, including GETR 3330, Introduction to German Studies, GERM 3010, 3110 or 3120, 4600, and at least one additional German literature course. Enrollment in any 500-level course requires the instructor’s permission. Beyond GETR 3330, one additional GETR/YITR course may be taken toward the major.  Up to 12 credits may be transferred from other institutions in the USA or aboard (prior approval required).

Distinguished Majors Program in German Language and Literature

This program is available to German Language and Literature majors presenting an overall GPA of 3.400 and a letter of recommendation from a department faculty member. The DMP consists of GERM 4600 (Senior Seminar), a graduate course (5000-level), GERM 4900 (Thesis) or GERM 4910 (Honors Research and Thesis), in addition to the requirements for the German major. Students may elect a full-year program (GERM 4910) or semester program (GERM 4900) their senior year. In either case, an honors thesis of approximately 25 pages (one semester program) or 40 pages (full-year program) is to be submitted by April 25.

Requirements for Minor

Six courses or 18 semester hours in German at the 3000-level or above, including GERM 3000 and 3010. One GETR/YITR course may be counted toward the minor. Up to 9 credits may be transferred from other institutions (prior approval required).

High School Teaching in German

For students interested in pursuing a high school teaching career, there are two options in conjunction with the Curry School of Education: a five-year program, in which the student may earn two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Teaching, and a 15-month program, the post-baccalaureate Master of Teaching. For more information, contact the Curry School of Education, or Janette Hudson, German Department.

GERM 1110 and 1120

These two courses are for beginners. All students with any previous background in German who have not taken the SAT II Subject Test or the Advanced Placement test must take the German placement test if planning to take German at any time in their college career. This test is administered during summer and fall orientation only. The sequence of courses is GERM 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020. Once a student has placed in the required course sequence, she or he must complete each successive course with a passing grade. A student may not skip, for example, from GERM 1020 to GERM 2020. Students may not take more than one course in the sequence at a time. Those who place higher than course 2020 in a language and have successfully taken an advanced placement examination in that language are relieved of the foreign language requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Additional Information

Course Descriptions

Note: Unless otherwise stated, GERM courses are conducted in German. GETR courses have readings and discussions in English.