German (BA)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Major Credits

36

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Languages and Literature

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Prerequisites to the Major

Major is 36 credits.
Elementary cycle (GER 101, 102) does not count toward major common core or major restricted electives. Intermediate language proficiency level starts the major. Pre-requisites for the major are Gen.Ed. courses GER 101 and GER 102 OR proof of profiency.
Topics courses may be repeated for credit with a different topic.

Language - Choose 8 Credit(s). Or provide other proof of profiency.

Introduction to German for students with little or no language experience.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Prereq: GER 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 101 or equivalent

Goal Areas: GE-08

Major Common Core

Core coursework - Choose 12 - 24 Credit(s).

Topics will vary and course may be repeated for credit. Language topics include pronunciation and intonation, advanced grammar, etc. The focus is on advanced oral or written communication. Prereq: Two years of university level German or equivalent.

Prerequisites: Two years of university level German or equivalent.

Intensive practice in speaking and writing for students who have completed the intermediate sequence or equivalent. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: completion of GER 202 or equivalent.

Discussion and analysis of major themes and movements based on selected readings from representative authors from the German-speaking world. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent

Major cultural and historical aspects of German from ancient times to the present. Prereq: completion of 202 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of GER 202 or equivalent

Intensive practice in speaking and writing German. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level course in German.

Prerequisites: Completion of at least one 300 level course in German.

Topics vary and course may be repeated if a different topic/genre is the focus. Major writers from German speaking countries. Genres include novel, poetry, theatre, short story, etc. Prereq: completion of readings 302 or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of readings GER 302 or equivalent

Major Restricted Electives

Electives - Choose 4 - 12 Credit(s).

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A review of German structure and its application to reading, conversation, and composition. Prereq: GER 102 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 102 or equivalent

Goal Areas: GE-08

Prereq: GER 201 or equivalent

Prerequisites: GER 201 or equivalent

Goal Areas: GE-08

This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English through the lens of literary and cultural criticism with the focus on German studies, and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

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Prerequisites: none

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Prerequisites: as appropriate for level of project

Topics will vary and course may be repeated for credit. Language topics include pronunciation and intonation, advanced grammar, etc. The focus is on advanced oral or written communication. Prereq: Two years of university level German or equivalent.

Prerequisites: Two years of university level German or equivalent.

Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Intermediate Sequence

Prerequisites: Intermediate Sequence

The course deals with the complex cultural traditions and political histories of German-speaking countries in Central Europe, such as the metropolis Berlin, the Holocaust, minority voices. Topics vary and the course may be repeated if a different topic is the focus. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Topics may vary. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion and analysis of German phonetics and syntax and historical linguistics, for example. Prereq: completion of at least one 300 level German course.

Prerequisites: Completion of a least one 300 level German course.

The course explores 20th and 21st century German film in historical, social, cultural contexts and events. Topics may be a survey, or concentration on Weimar Cinema, New German Cinema, East German Cinema, transnational cinema. Topics vary. Course may be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

An individual project by German majors or minors that demonstrates the ability to focus on a specific topic or question in-depth in the field of German culture and literature studies. Approval required by a designated advisor in the German program.

Prerequisites: GER 340, GER 341, GER 342, GER 343, GER 441. Student has to be admitted as a German major or minor and of senior standing.

Study for credit must be arranged by contract prior to departure. Prereq: Experience appropriate for level of credit.

Prerequisites: Experience appropriate for level of credit

Prereq: Experience appropriate to project.

Prerequisites: Experience appropriate to project

Prereq: As appropriate for level of project.

Prerequisites: As appropriate for level of project

This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.
If a student has a second major (B.A. or B.S.), then no minor is required.

Policies

GPA Policy. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned for major or minor credit.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses for a major or minor must be taken for a letter grade.

Required Minor. Any minor is required.

Proficiency Policies. Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to have their proficiency evaluated. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. The department reserves the right to deny admission to courses for those students whom a faculty member determines to have mastered the material already.

Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French, German, Spanish, Swedish or Norwegian may do so by taking a credit by exam (see above section). Students do not meet the BA language requirement merely because they have taken two years of high school language.

Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of Philosophy, Languages & Cultures for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State University, Mankato as follows:

  • Major: a minimum of three upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least 8 credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 400 level.
  • Minor: a minimum of two upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least six credits.