German Studies Major
The German Studies program offers students the opportunity to study German — the native language of more than 100 million people in the world. Students not only learn this widely spoken language, but also study German literature and culture through diverse and richly layered courses and a variety of cultural programs. The accomplished faculty of the German program offers dynamic attention to the diverse learning styles of students through the use of innovative and individualized teaching methods that make the German language, literature, and culture come to life in the classroom. Students continue their learning outside of the classroom — through small group practice session with a German foreign language assistant — as well as through 30-minute conversation opportunities offered five days a week, and fun-filled events as well as seasonal celebrations offered throughout the semester. Interested students are encouraged to consider studying abroad in Germany for full language and cultural immersion.
Department Advanced Placement Policy
Students with AP credit in German language or literature earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in German will forfeit the AP credit. Students with AP credit in German literature will not be permitted to enroll in a course below the 300 level.
Requirements
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Required German courses: | |
| Intermediate German 1 | |
| Intermediate German 2 | |
| German Composition & Conversation | |
| German Culture 1750-1890 (or equivalent) | |
| German Culture/20th Century (or equivalent) | |
| German elective courses: | |
| Metropolis Berlin | |
| 19c German Lit (Novella) | |
| Kafka, Hesse, Mann and their Contemporaries | |
| Contemporary German Literature | |
| German Law & Literature | |
| Majors may take two courses on a German topic in English, for example: | |
| Germany in Age of Nationalism | |
Majors studying abroad must complete one GERM courses at Holy Cross in their fourth year.
A minimum of 10 courses at the intermediate level and above.
German majors are required to complete successfully GERM 301 German Composition & Conversation, GERM 303 German Culture 1750-1890, and GERM 304 German Culture/20th Century (or equivalent courses addressing German culture/literature of the 19th and of the 20th centuries, respectively). Majors are encouraged to enhance their knowledge of German thought and culture through allied courses in art, history, philosophy and political science. Majors who spent their third year abroad are required to take at least one course at Holy Cross in their fourth year.