A major in German provides students with language skills that translate into practical tools for use in today's interconnected world, whether in Texas, Europe, or beyond.
Above the practical aspect of the major, students of German acquire a rich view of the world through explorations into literature, history, and cultural studies. Focusing on analytical and critical thinking, as well as cultural awareness, our students are prepared to enter careers in fields such as education, international business, human resources, research, government, social service, tourism, journalism, and translation, as well as graduate studies in German and professional schools (medicine, law, business). To enhance their plan of study and create even more professional opportunities after graduation, German majors are encouraged to seek out a complementary minor or second major/degree, such as in the other languages and programs offered by A&M's Department of Global Languages and Cultures.
To underscore the focus on cultural awareness and to support the achievement of increased linguistic proficiency, our major requires a minimum 10-week experience abroad in a German-speaking country. The German program offers summer study abroad programs for credit, and departmental faculty and advising staff also work closely with students to match their interests with semester and full-year programs abroad.
Students will be required to complete, by coursework or placement test, all 100- and 200-level courses in sequence. Once a student has received credit for a higher-level language course, the student is no longer eligible to receive credit for prerequisite courses.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 2 | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 | 4 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 2,3 | 3 |
| Intermediate German I | |
| Intensive Intermediate German | |
| Field Studies I | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 2,3 | 3 |
| Intermediate German II | |
| Field Studies II | |
| Intensive Intermediate German | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 5 | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| GERM 310 | Composition | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| GERM 315 | Literary Investigations: German Short Fiction | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program. See your academic advisor for further information.
Foreign Language Requirement
Students entering Modern Languages - German take a placement exam to determine the level of and number of required German courses. Exam results may fulfill a maximum of 14 semester credit hours.
- Students placed in 101 will take 101, 102, 201 and 202 and 27 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
- Students placed in 102 will take 102, 201 and 202 and 27 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
- Students placed in 201 will take 201 and 202 and 27 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
- Students placed in 202 will take 202 and 27 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
- Students placing out of 101, 102, 201 and 202 will take 27 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
Minor Field of Study
All Modern Language majors must select a minor field of study from departments or divisions within or outside of the College of Arts and Sciences or in a particular area of interest (as in the case of interdisciplinary minors). The minor will consist of a minimum of 15 hours of coursework, as defined by the minor department. No more than 9 credit hours may be at the 100-299 level. Interdisciplinary minors such as women’s and gender studies, classical studies, religious studies, and business have specific requirements; students should consult undergraduate advisors in these areas of study. A second major may substitute for the minor. Courses used to meet the minor requirements may not be used in the major. See also the statement on "Minor Field of Study" under the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. In general, the careful combination of foreign language skills with other major curricula enhances preparation for careers in business, industry and government. Teaching certification is available to majors through the School of Education and Human Development. Consult the School of Education and Human Development section under secondary teacher certification for additional information.
Study Abroad Requirement
All German majors are required to study for one semester or summer in a German-speaking country approved by the department.
Any departmental major must earn a C or better in all major and minor coursework.
No more than 12 hours of GERM 200-299 may be used for this degree.
Other courses may qualify for the college and university requirements categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Arts and Sciences. The lists incorporate University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category.
