Major in German Studies
Major Details
The major consists of 57 credit hours beyond the basic language requirement. All students must take the following courses:
15-GRMN-201-2-3 (15 credits): Second Year German
15-GRMN-301-2-3 (9 credits): Introduction to German Studies
15-GRMN-401-2-3 (9 credits): Seminar in German Studies
15-GRMN-501-2-3 (9 credits): Survey of German Literature
15-GRMN-491, 492 or 493 (3 credits): Senior Capstone
The remaining 12 credits may be earned by taking any course the department offers aside from the required courses and the basic language courses. This choice of electives includes our study-abroad offerings.
The 4+1 Master's Degree in German Studies
Students interested in earning a master's degree in German studies have the option to extend their baccalaureate studies for one year. More details are available in the Curriculum and Special Programs sections below. More information is also available on the German Studies Web site.
UC College of Arts and Sciences' (A&S) flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.
- International affairs
- Other languages and area studies programs
- History
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Geography
- Sociology
- Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years. Students will take required courses at different times, depending upon their placement in the first year, and the on the combination of the major with a minor or other program.
| First Year | Course Number | Credits |
| *English Composition | ENGL 101, 102 | 6 |
| Basic German (or waiver, placement varies) | GRMN 101, 102, 103 | 15 |
| *Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | see checklist | 9 |
| Survey of German Culture (suggested major elective) | GRMN 171, 172, 173 | 9 |
| *Humanities (100-level, HU) | see offerings | 3 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options | 3 |
| Total for first year | 45 |
| Second Year | Course Number | Credits |
| *Intermediate Composition | ENGL 289 | 3 |
| Second Year German | GRMN 201, 202, 203 | 15 |
| *Social Sciences (SS) | see offerings | 9 |
| *European Civilization (recommended) (HP) | HIST 113, 114, 115 | 9 |
| *Literature (LT) | see offerings | 3 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options | 6 |
| Total for second year | 45 |
| Third & Fourth Years | Course Number | Credits |
| Introduction to German Studies | GRMN 301, 302, 303 | 9 |
| Seminars in German Studies | GRMN 401, 402, 403 | 9 |
| Survey of German Literature | GRMN 501, 502, 503 | 9 |
| German major elective | select upper-level course | 3 |
| Senior Capstone | GRMN 491, 492, or 493 | 3 |
| *Natural Sciences | see offerings | 9 |
| *Humanities, Literature, or Fine Arts (HU, LT, or FA) | see offerings | 3 |
| *Social & Ethical Issues (if not already taken, SE) | see offerings | 3 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options | 42 |
| Total for third and fourth years | 90 | |
| Total overall | Minimum 180 |
*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.
Regularly Taught Elective Courses
Additional courses are offered each quarter. Check the online course offerings each quarter for a complete list.
GRMN-171 (3 credit hours): Survey of German Culture I
GRMN-172 (3 credit hours): Survey of German Culture II
GRMN-173 (3 credit hours): Survey of German Culture III
GRMN-174 (3 credit hours): Survey of German Culture IV: Berlin
GRMN-185 (3 credit hours): Introduction to Film Studies
GRMN-280 (3 credit hours): German Fairy Tales
GRMN-324 (3 credit hours): German for Business
GRMN-361 (3 credit hours): Language and Cultural Immersion: Munich
GRMN-396 (3 credit hours): Germanic Mythology
GRMN-499 (3 credit hours): Individual Projects
4+1 Master's Degree Program
Sample 5-year Course of Study
Year 1
15-GRMN-101-2-3 (15 credits - does not count toward major): Basic German
Summer
15-GRMN-204 (15 credits): Munich: Intensive Langauge
Year 2
15-GRMN-301-2-3 (9 credits): Introduction to German Studies
15-GRMN-171-2-3 (9 credits): Survey of German Culture (or other electives)
Year 3
15-GRMN-401-2-3 (9 credits): Seminar in German Studies
Elective (3 cr)
Year 4
15-GRMN-491, 2, or 3 (3-6 credits): Senior Capstone
15-GRMN-501-2-3 (12 credits): Survey of German Literature
3 graduate level electives (12 cr)
Year 5
Research Seminar (8 cr)
Approved graduate elective courses (at least 25 credits)
M.A. Exam or Thesis