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Major and Minor Requirements

The major in German studies offers an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental approach to the study of the German-speaking world. Its goal is to develop students’ German language skills, to explore German literature both in original German and in translation, and to foster the study of a broad array of subjects in which the influences and contributions of German-speaking peoples are evident, including philosophy, history, religion, art history, performing arts, music, politics, and economics. A background in German studies provides preparation for the exploration of many fields. Knowledge of the German language may also be helpful for graduate study in a number of disciplines of the humanities, the sciences, music, and art history.

Students are encouraged to design programs of study that are coherent and meaningful, as well as diverse and innovative. They have to work closely with the adviser in planning their program.

REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to take a total of 11 credits, seven of which must be earned within the German studies section of the department of language and culture studies. Students counting both introductory German language courses (GRMN 101 and 102) toward the major must earn a total of 12 credits, eight of which in the German studies section. German studies requires a C or higher for a course to count toward the major.

Core courses:

  • Students are required to take a total of 11 credits, seven of which must be earned within the German studies section of the department of language and culture studies. Students counting both introductory German language courses (GRMN 101 and 102) toward the major must earn a total of 12 credits, eight of which in the German studies section.
  • Required courses are GRMN 201, 202, at least one 200-level course taught in English, two 300-level GRMN courses, and 401, which serves as the senior exercise; students may enroll in a second course, GRMN 200-level course taught in English, or LACS 299 in lieu of one 300-level GRMN course.
  • GRMN 200-level taught in English may be applied toward the major if a substantial portion of the assignments is completed in German and the student meets regularly with the instructor.
  • The remaining credits shall be earned in other departments with the major adviser’s approval and with no more than two credits chosen from the same department.
  • As an alternative to the credits taken in other departments, students are encouraged to enroll in the Trinity-approved program with Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, Tübingen, Freiburg, Konstanz, and other universities), Trinity-in-Vienna or Trinity-in-Berlin summer. Courses taken in Baden-Württemberg or Vienna count toward the major with the condition that their content be relevant to German studies and approved in advance by the major adviser. For courses to be approved, they must require a substantial amount of reading and writing in German.
  • The Writing Intensive Part II requirement in the German major is fulfilled by: Any GRMN 200-level course taught in English, any 300-level GRMN course, or GRMN 401. Senior Seminar: Special Topics.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: To maximize exposure to German language and culture, students are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester at the Trinity-approved program of study in Baden-Württemberg or at Trinity’s Global Learning Site in Vienna. Both study-away programs provide opportunities for language immersion at a major German university, as well as the chance to pursue independent study or community service while residing in a culturally and historically rich Germanic setting. For more information, visit the Baden-Württemberg website or the Trinity-in-Vienna website.

Honors: Students qualifying for honors in the German studies major must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses required for the major, including GRMN 401. The topic for the final project for GRMN 401 will be agreed upon in consultation with the adviser.

Language Across the Curriculum: German studies majors are encouraged to take advantage of the Language Across the Curriculum opportunity and earn an additional .5 credit toward the major. In collaboration with a member of the department, students may select supplementary readings in German that complement one or more of the courses below. Enrollment in Language Across the Curriculum follows the guidelines for independent study registration.

The minor in German—for students who wish to minor in German, this is a sequence of six German courses designed to develop linguistic skills and to give an appreciation of the culture and civilization of German-speaking countries. Courses that count toward the German minor are GRMN 101, 102, 201, 202, any 200-level course taught in English, any 300-level GRMN course. No more than one transfer credit may be applied to the minor. German studies requires a C or higher for a course to count toward the minor.

To declare a minor in German, contact Professor Johannes Evelein. Students interested in cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of German culture are referred to the German studies interdisciplinary minor.

In the major, and in the German minor, students must demonstrate oral and written proficiency by earning the minimum grade of B in one 300-level GRMN course.

Interdisciplinary minor in German Studies

The minor in German studies gives students the opportunity to explore the profound influence that German art, literature, and thought have had upon European and world culture and to integrate the various disciplines of this field of study into an understanding of the cultures of the German-speaking world.

Course Requirements:

Students shall take six courses in three categories of inquiry (the arts; history, politics, and thought; and German language and literature), as approved by the minor coordinator, including at least one course, and no more than three, from each category. At least one of the other five must be taken from the German literature offerings (Any 200-level GRMN taught in English, 200-level GRMN literature courses, as approved by the minor coordinator, any 300-level GRMN course, and 399) at Trinity College. The German studies minor does not require the Language Proficiency Exam. Students are encouraged (although not required) to take some of their other courses in one of the study-away programs sponsored by the department. They should consult the coordinator of the minor and the director of the Office of Study Away for more information.