undergraduate program
       
   
 
 

major

Program I: German Language and Literature

Students majoring in German Language and Literature focus on lingual and artistic representation of German culture and intellectual history. The curriculum is centered around contributions to world literature while acknowledging particularly German topics as well.
German Majors are required to take at least 30 hours from courses numbered higher than GER 105 (not including German 246). GER 213-214 (Intermediate Conversation and Composition) and GER 221-222 (German Culture and Literature) are mandatory. In addition students will take 9 hours of elective courses numbered higher than 222 (of which GER 223 is highly recommended).
Please, note that majors are permitted a maximum of 6 hours of German courses in which the language of instruction is English. Majors are expected to consult their advisers before registration each semester.




Program II: German Studies

Students majoring in German Studies will gain a broader notion of culture, including history, political sciences, religious studies, philosophy, sociology, European studies, and art history. Ideally, students will combine a major in German Studies with a concentration in a related field (e.g. history, economy, political sciences, women’s studies, philosophy etc.) and will be able to use their skills for reading and preparing German materials in both areas.

German Studies majors are required to complete a total of 30 hours of course work beyond GER 105, including the following:

3 credit hours in German 201
3 credit hours in German 213 or 214
6 credit hours in German 221 or 222
6 credit hours of German beyond 222
6 credit hours in “German text” courses (see below)
6 credit hours in “German content” courses (see below)

A “German text” course is a course in a discipline other than German literature (such as German history, women’s studies, political science, religious studies, philosophy), which may be taught in English, and in which the student reads course texts in German to a significant degree (e.g., more than half the texts would be read in original German).

A “German content” course focuses on German literature or a neighboring discipline (such as German history, German political science, or German philosophy) in which course texts may be read in English or German. Students must consult the instructor of the course regarding “German text” courses, and they must secure the approval of the directors of German Studies for both “German text” and “German content” courses.

  

minor

Program I: German Language and Literature

German Minors are required to take a minimum of 18 hours beyond GER 105, 3 hours of Intermediate Composition and Conversation (GER 213 or GER 214), GER 221 and GER 222 (German Culture and Literature), and 9 hours of elective courses.


Program II: German Studies

On a minor track in this program students are required to take a minimum of 18 hours beyond GER 105; 3 hours from GER 213, GER 214, or GER 216; GER 221 and GER 222 (German Culture and Literature); GER 201 (Introduction to German Studies); 3 hours of German literature above GER 222; and one elective course.

honors

Candidates for honors in German who meet College of Arts & Science and departmental requirements must complete all requirements for the concentration in German and, in addition, must study a minimum of one semester at a German speaking university (or gain the equivalent experience), complete 6 hours of 300-level courses; maintain at least a B+ average in their German courses and a B overall average; write an honors thesis; and pass an oral examination during the last semester.

  


fellowships

It is not uncommon for Vanderbilt undergraduate students to receive prestigious fellowships and awards such as Fulbright, DAAD, Mellon, and Delta Phi Alpha scholarships, all of which have been received by our students in recent years.