German Studies

Degree Awarded:  Bachelor of Arts

A degree in German Studies connects students to one of the world’s strongest economies, as well as to rich cultural legacy in the arts, music, philosophy, and literature. Germany’s role in the world economy is powerful, and business opportunities with that country as well as other strong German-speaking nations are important to American business. Finally, Germany’s history provides a fascinating case study of the social, economic and political effects of immigration in shaping of our nation.
A concentration in German language, culture, and professional and social practices is one option as well within the International Business major, and speaks to the value and importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness for success in the global economy.

Learning German can connect you to 120 million native speakers worldwide. It is also a popular second (and third or fourth) language throughout Europe, as well as in Japan and the U.S. Germany, with the third strongest economy in the world, is an important global business partner in publishing, research and development, innovative uses of the Internet, automobile design and manufacturing, etc. Germany has a rich cultural heritage; it is rewarding to be able to understand such thinkers, poets, musicians and scientists as Einstein, Bach, Schweitzer, Marx, Kafka and Freud in their native language. Many graduate programs recommend developing at least a reading knowledge of German to access significant theoretical works and research in books and professional journals. A number of interesting opportunities to study in Germany or Austria are available to students at Lake Erie College. The courses in the major and minor help to develop not only communication skills, but a strong foundation in the cultures present and past that have used German as their everyday language. Students may want to consider a primary or secondary major or a minor in German to enhance their employment opportunities, or to increase their chances of being accepted into fine graduate programs.

Requirements for this Major:

40 semester credits including:

• GR 102 Beginning German II (4 SH)
• GR 201 Intermediate German (4 SH)
• GR 220 German Conversation (4 SH)
• GR 302 German Phonetics and Pronunciation (1 SH)
• GR 311 German Composition (3 SH)
• GR 320 Germanophone Literatures and Cultures (3 SH)
• GR 490 Senior Research Project (4 SH)

and 17 semester credits from the following:

• GR 210 Studies in Germanophone Contemporary Cultures (4 SH)
• GR 301 German for the Professional Environment (4 SH)
• GR 350 Internship in German (1-5 SH)
• GR 401 Translation Studies in German (3 SH)
• GR 402 Germanophone Intellectual History (3 SH)
• GR 410 Germanophone Literatures in English Translation (3 SH)
• GR 411 Germanophone Women Writers and Filmakers (3 SH)
• GR 420 Germanophone Visual Arts, Music, Architecture (3 SH)
• GR 421 Germanophone Cinema (3 SH)
• GR 470/79 Special Topics in German (2-4 SH)

Note: There may be specific credit hour requirements for Internships. Students should review requirements with their academic advisor.