The German major provides students with the opportunity to become proficient in the German language while also becoming knowledgeable about social, historical, and political factors that shape and define German-speaking cultures. The German studies major in particular is interdisciplinary, and it creates connections among a number of disciplines which are cornerstones of the liberal arts tradition. The combination of these courses under a cohesive curriculum allows students to gain proficiency in the German language while also learning to think and reason across disciplinary boundaries. Additionally, the current trend toward globalization means that students must become not only informed citizens and leaders within their own community and country but also in the world at large. By becoming knowledgeable in global political and social processes through German, students will learn to understand complex international relationships and gain an appreciation for different cultures. The German studies major supports students in their developing roles as leaders in their community and the world.

Students pursuing the German Track must complete 27 upper-division credit hours of German courses. All students pursuing the German Studies Track must complete 18 upper-division credit hours of German courses and 9 upper-division credit hours from at least two of the following disciplines: philosophy, history, political science, fine arts, and theology. Students pursuing a German major (either track) are also required to spend at least six weeks studying German in a German-speaking country. Should a student be unable to study abroad, the department chair, in consultation with the German faculty, may approve a substitute language immersion experience such as a local internship. Options for study abroad include the University’s year-long program in Salzburg, Austria; German-immersion courses in Salzburg during a summer session; and IES German-immersion programs in Freiburg, Vienna, and Berlin. 

Students studying abroad in Salzburg will take the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD), an internationally recognized standardized language test at no cost to the student. In addition, it is recommended that all degree candidates take oral and/or written proficiency tests in German in their senior year. These tests are administered by outside certified proficiency examiners for a fee. (The American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages [ACTFL] and the federal government offer oral/aural proficiency testing.) The testing of the students’ proficiency will give the students national certification of their actual skill levels; such certification of oral and/or written skills should provide students and employers with an accurate comparative indicator of a student’s overall proficiency in the language.

German-language Track -- 27 hours

Hrs .
18	Upper-division credits in German (GER 301 and above)

Students are required to take at least 6 of the 18 upper-division German credit hours at the 400-level, excluding GRM 479 and 497. Students must also take three courses outside the German program from at least two different disciplines, chosen from the following list:

3	PHL 474 - Hegel and 19th-Century Philosophy
3	THE 433 - Theological Implications of the Holocaust (Salzburg only)
3	POL 358 - Politics of the European Union
3	HST 370 - Early Modern Europe
3	POL 372 - Politics of Modern Europe
3	HST 342 - Age of Nationalism
3	HST 343 - Age of Dictatorship
3	HST 346 - History of Modern Germany
3	FA 304 - Development of Fine Arts in Europe (Salzburg only)

Students may also take courses containing significant content relating to German-speaking countries offered on a one-time basis or subsequently added to permanent course offerings. Students must seek the approval of the German studies adviser before counting such courses toward the German studies major.

General Electives -- 24 hours


Total Credit Hours -- 120