Program Requirements

Major

Majors in German are expected to acquire the ability to understand, speak, read, and write in German and to develop a broad foundation in the relevant literatures and cultures.

Students with prior experience in German, however acquired (e.g., in high school, at another institution, or via study abroad), work with department faculty members to determine an appropriate level at which to start. In general, one year of high school language instruction is the equivalent to one university-level course.  Students who have taken four years or more of one language in high school are generally eligible to take 300-level language courses at CWRU, but the department recommends starting with a course numbered under 320.

The major in German requires a minimum of 10 courses, equivalent to 30-35 credit hours.

Course requirements are as follows:

  • For students placed into 200-level coursework, the major requirements include GRMN 201 Intermediate German I, GRMN 202 Intermediate German II, and eight 300-level courses taught in the target language from among those on the courses tab.
  • For students placed into 300-level coursework, the major requirements include ten 300-level courses taught in the target language from among those on the courses tab.

Students may replace up to two 300-level courses with related courses. Related courses are those outside the department which are closely related to German culture, as well as those departmental courses cross-listed with World Literature.

Departmental Honors for Majors

The departmental honors program is for especially dedicated majors. Requirements for honors in modern languages and literatures are:

  1. a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major;
  2. an honors thesis in addition to the major credit hour requirements

The thesis is devoted to a literary, linguistic, or cultural topic and must be written in the target language. It must be read and approved by two readers and will be accepted for honors only if it achieves a grade of B or better. Students who qualify receive their degree “with Honors in Modern Languages and Literatures.” A registration form for students applying for honors is available in the departmental office.

Minor

The minor in German requires a minimum of 5 courses, equivalent to 15-19 credit hours.

Course requirements are as follows:

  • For students beginning German at the introductory level, minor requirements include: GRMN 101, GRMN 102, GRMN 201, GRMN 202, and one additional GRMN 300-level course.
  • For students beginning German at the 200-level, minor requirements include: five 200- and 300-level GRMN courses.