German Studies

Basic Structure of the Department

The department offers two majors, a modified major, and a minor.
All majors and the minor are intended to furnish the student with proficiency in the German language.
Major “A” is centered on the study of German literature.
Major “B” is centered on the study of German culture and incorporates courses from other departments (such as Art History, Philosophy, etc.).
The modified major allows a student to modify the study of German with relevant courses for one other discipline (as opposed to multiple disciplines, as in major “B”).
GERM 1, 2 and 3 constitutes the introductory language sequence (the completion of which fulfills the College’s Language Requirement).
GERM 8-11 are intermediate courses.
GERM 7 (First-Year Seminar) and GERM 13, 42, 43, and 44 are taught in English and don’t include language prerequisites.
GERM 13 is a new course, particularly designed for the incoming student and those who might want to discover their level of interest in German studies.
The German Studies department offers off-campus programs in Berlin with an FSP in the fall term and an LSA in the spring and summer terms. Prerequisite for the LSA is GERM 2. Prerequisites for the FSP are any TWO courses above GERM 5 (excluding GERM 7, 42 or 43, which are in translation). See the Off-Campus Programs Office for information and application.

Students should begin with the language course indicated by their placement test
GERM 1 and 2 are all offered all three terms (fall, winter and spring); GERM 3 is offered on campus in the fall and spring, but is also included in the Berlin LSA curriculum.
GERM 7 (First-Year Seminar), GERM 13 (spring) and courses with numbers in the 40s have no language prerequisite and are all good choices for students who would like to discover their level of interest in German studies, an interdisciplinary field.

The Berlin LSA is designed to follow GERM 1 and 2. First year students can participate in the summer LSA already after their first three terms, as long as they have the prerequisite (GERM 2 or equivalent).
The Berlin FSP should follow GERM 3 and additional courses.
Students do not have to major or minor in German to participate, and non-majors are strongly encouraged.
A student should either complete the prerequisites or have placed out of classes in the sequence before going on the LSA/FSP. A student doesn’t have to have finished the classes in order to apply for the program, but must plan on having finished them before leaving for the program.