Germanic Studies Undergraduate Program

The Major

The undergraduate major in Germanic Studies consists of 36 hours beyond the basic language acquisition sequence (GERM 101-201). No course completed with a grade lower than C may be used to satisfy the major requirements.
Three program options lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree:

  1. German language
  2. German literature and
  3. Cultural studies

Secondary concentration and supportive electives are encouraged in the other foreign languages, comparative literature, English, history, and philosophy. Majors intending to go on to graduate study in the discipline are urged to develop a strong secondary concentration in a further area of Germanic Studies; such internal minors are available in German language, German literature, Scandinavian Studies, and Germanic Philology.

All majors must meet with a department advisor at least once each semester to update their departmental files and obtain written approval of their program of study.

Advising

Departmental advising is mandatory for second-semester sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Requirements for Majors

Requirements for the Germanic Studies major include the College of Arts and Humanities requirement of completing 45 upper-level credits. The College foreign language requirement will be automatically fulfilled in the process of taking language major courses. Students must take language acquisition courses sequentially. Once credit has been received in a higher level language acquisition or grammar course, a lower level course may not be taken for credit.

German Language Option
CORE: 220, 301, 302, 321, and 322.
Specialization: Three or four German language courses (401, 403, 405, 419P); two 400-level German literature courses; two upper level courses in any of the three areas of specialization.

German Literature Option
CORE: 220, 301, 302, 321, and 322.
Specialization: Five 400 level German literature courses; two upper level courses in any of the three areas of specialization.

Germanic Cultural Studies Option
CORE: 220, 301, 302, 321, and 322.

Modern Scandinavian Specialization

CORE: 369, 461
Specialization: five upper level courses in the Germanic area studies group.

Medieval Scandinavian Specialization
CORE: 383, 475
Specialization: Five upper level courses in the Germanic area studies group.

Also available:
German Business Option
International Business - German Business Option
Computer Science - German
Engineering - German dual degree

Minor in German Language, Literature and Culture

This minor will provide students with an in-depth understanding of German Language and Literature as a source of Culture. Building on these essentials, students can concentrate on Language, Literature or Culture, or a combination of these fields. This will be accomplished by taking 5 courses beyond German 203 or its equivalent, as specified below. Students will determine, in close consultation with the German undergraduate advisor, how to constitute their own concentration.

A total of 15 credit hours is required for the minor (beyond GERM 203), and all courses
must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher. Courses that count for the minor include:
Any course beyond German 203 or its equivalent.

Some examples include:

German 301 and 302: Conversation and Composition I and II
German 220: Introduction to German Literature
German 321 and 322: Highlights of German Literature
German 381 and 382: German Civilization
German 368: Scandinavian Civilization
German 389: Topics in German Culture
German 401: Advanced Conversation
German 411: German for International Business
German 419: Selected Topics in German Language Study: Structure of German
German 479: Selected Topics in Germanic Philology: The Development of the Germanic
Languages

In addition, 3 of these 5 courses (9 hours) counting for the minor must be on the upper
division level.

Oversight of this minor program will be conducted through the normal academic
processes in the Germanic Studies Department. The Undergraduate Director will be
responsible for ensuring that students are properly advised and that records are
appropriately kept. Interested students should contact Prof. Rose-Marie Oster,
Undergraduate Advisor at ro8@umail.umd.edu Tel: (301) 405-4096.

German 103 and 203 are required, or their equivalents as determined through
departmental advising.

Honors in Germanic Languages and Literatures

The Honors Program in Germanic Studies opens a gateway to the future. It intensifies and enriches students' encounters with the language, literatures and cultures of German-speaking and Scandinavian countries. Honor students enjoy sustained individual contact with faculty members. They are encouraged to work independently and pursue challenging projects that carry them beyond the regular undergraduate curriculum. The Honors Program fosters excellence in learning and scholarship while preparing students for graduate school or professional careers.

Our program provides Honors students with the flexibility to design a course of study that meets their educational interests and goals. Each semester, students may select from at least four H-designated courses, which provide the opportunity to explore and discuss ideas with other students and faculty. Events at the Goethe Institute and the Austrian, German, Danish, Swedish, and Swiss Embassies enhance their learning experience. Their participation in the Program culminates in an Honors Thesis, which each student plans in consultation with a faculty advisor, who will direct the thesis.

Recent graduates have written theses on a variety of cultural and literary topics, such as "Foreigners in Germany", the writings of Christa Wolf, and literature and culture in the Middle Ages. In 1993, our first Honors Graduate was a dedicated student and a single mother who graduated with 'High Honors' and won a Graduate School Fellowship from the University of Minnesota.

Enhance your Studies!

You've decided to major in our department. You're mastering the skills you need to speak, read and write a Germanic language well. But did you know that you can enhance your studies by choosing the HONORS program?

The Honors Program affords Honors Students sustained individual contact with faculty members. Honors Students are called on to work independently, to pursue a project that carries them beyond the regular undergraduate curriculum.

The Honors Program gives you a foretaste of graduate studies; you will discover what it means to be a scholar and what excellence in discipline entails. Such an experience necessarily prepares you for graduate school and other pursuits in a manner that cannot be duplicated:

  • Honors on your transcript will make your applications strong.
  • Sustained personal contact with faculty members means the likelihood of excellent letters of recommendation.
  • Graduate schools and prospective employers will be impressed by the initiative you have taken and the experience you have gained.

All this means you will be among the top candidates for scholarships, teaching assistantships, and other positions. In other words: The HONORS PROGRAM IN GERMAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES is the difference between just another degree and the opportunity to challenge yourself and confront your future.

Program Requirements

It is recommended that students take on of the following sections/courses prior to entering the Honors Program: 201H, 220H, 321H, 322H.
The program requires 12 credits at the 300 and/or 400 level. These break down into part A (coursework) and part B (research).

Part A
Two upper division courses (6 credits) to be selected from the following courses:

  • GERM 397H: A reading course designed by teacher and student focus or individual reading project.
  • GERM 3-H/4-H: Students may choose from the Honors courses listed in a given semester.
These courses shall be designated by the Honors Committee. By taking these courses, students agree to:
  1. A longer paper than is usually required in a 400 level course (7-10 pages in German or the language of study).
  2. Additional readings, and
  3. Additional meetings with the faculty member to discuss these readings.

Part B
Six credits of research and thesis writing:

  • GERM 398H: Research course (3 credits). Students will select a thesis topic and conduct the necessary research under the direction of a regular German Department faculty member.
  • GERM 499H: Thesis Writing Course (3 credits). Students will write their thesis under the direction of a regular German Department faculty member. The thesis must be at least 20 pages long and preferably written in German or the language os study. The thesis must be defended before two or more regular members of the German Department faculty. An outside reader may also be invited.
  • Students have the option of an Honors concentration in German Literature, German Language, or German Area Studies. Each proposed Honors concentration must be approved by the Honors Committee.

Honors Studies Director: Dr. Rose-Marie Oster, JMZ 3224 (301) 405-4096. E-mail: rmoster@umd.edu.

Eligibility

Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in the major to be accepted into the department Honors program. To remain in the program, students must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in the major. Transfer students with equivalent academic standing at an accredited institution must also meet these eligibility requirements. Under exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived by the Honors Committee.

Students may drop the Honors Program without losing any credits acquired.

Honors and Privileges

Participation in the Department Honors Program means:

  • Enrollment in graduate courses
  • Graduate library privileges (lending period of 58 days)
  • Monetary awards and book prizes

Graduation with "Honors" or "High Honors" Participation also enhances the chances of:

  • Nomination to the Dean's Senior Scholar Program
  • Recommendation for the University Undergraduate Apprenticeship in Research and Scholarship
  • Acceptance into the Language House
  • Acceptance into the Honors Dormitory

The German-Engineering Double Degree Program

A double degree in German and Engineering is available. More information is available here