Courses

Getting started

Your starting point with German is determining your first course of language study. Students with prior knowledge of the language will take the online placement exam unless they already have German credits on their transcript from the AP exam, International Baccalaureate courses, or previously completed college courses.

  • Introduction to German Literature and Media (GER-G332)
  • Introduction to German Thought and Culture (GER-G334)
  • Introduction to the Structure of Germanic Languages (GER-E336)

Tracks & Concentrations

We offer three areas of concentration: Literature and Media, Thought and Culture, and Linguistics.

When pursuing the Germanic Studies major, you choose two of three common gateway courses to prepare for in-depth study in one of the areas of concentration. The core courses also give you the opportunity to work closely with fellow majors.

Highlighted courses

Upper-level coursework

The Germanic Studies major consists of 30 credit hours at or above the 200 level. The degree gives you flexibility in choosing your courses. It permits nine credit hours in Germanic Studies taught in English or another Germanic language.

Students majoring in Germanic Studies will find demanding yet flexible programs in modern literary and cultural studies, medieval philology, and theoretical linguistics, as well as instruction in three modern languages besides German.

The upper level curriculum offers a variety of topics and approaches to the study of linguistics, film, literature, and cultures of the German world, from the Middle Ages to the present. Courses with a business component are also taught.