Major and minor
As a German major or minor, students explore the multidimensional aspects of the German-speaking world (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), cultivating a deeper understanding of society, institutions and cultural products, such as film, news media, writing, art, theater and music. Germany and the EU are two of the US’s largest trading partners trading in pharmaceuticals, optical and medical instruments, machinery, finance and insurance. In addition to their importance as a trading partner, Germany is a leader in sustainability and environmentalism. Aside from practical reasons, many students choose German because of a personal connection and a desire to learn something very different from the culture and society they know. There is something for everyone in the German-speaking world.
Real World Outcomes
Students from the department are employed in a variety of fields. Many have a second major, and their field of employment is a combination of both majors. For example, an economics student can work for one of the many multinational cooperations in the area such as Siemens or Bosch. Biology students may work for one of the many biotech firms or agricultural firms in the area that are interested in expanding abroad. Language majors are valued for their bilingual skills and their ability to do a close reading of texts as well as other visual media. Many larger firms hire humanities students to do market research, cross-cultural training or write documents needed in the firm. There are also many non-profits in the US and abroad that are involved in cultural or business exchange that value close reading skills and familiarity with another culture.
Requirements
For the major, students take five upper-division courses (20 units) taught German. The courses offer a range from surveys of the major periods of literature to Multiculturalism in German Literature, Business German, Culture in the German-speaking World, and the Modern German Language. Majors also take another three upper-division courses (12 units) in the department taught in either English or German and then two further courses (8 units) either in the department or from a list of German-related courses in other departments such as economics, cinema and digital media, history, linguistics, music or political science. For the minor, students take four (16 units) upper-division courses taught in German and one upper-division course (4 units) taught in the department or from an approved list of courses taught outside the department.
