German Major

Major Requirements

A major in German literature and culture consists of a minimum of eight courses.

German language and culture

• Three GERM courses at the 200-level or above
• With approval from the department chair, up to two courses on German Studies topics taught in English outside the department may be counted.

300-level Courses

• At least two 300-level GERM courses

400-level Seminars

• At least three 400-level GERM seminars

Note

Exceptions to any major requirements require the approval of the department chair.

GPA Requirement

University regulations require that a student maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the courses comprising the major program.

Honors and High Honors

An honors project allows students to build on their knowledge to pursue independent research on a topic of their interest in close consultation with one or several faculty members. Students with a GPA of 3.30 in courses included in the major and with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 are eligible for honors in German. Students who have attained that average may apply to pursue honors by the early fall of the senior year. Each candidate must complete a thesis or its equivalent under the guidance of a faculty adviser and must discuss the thesis at an oral presentation normally scheduled in April. Research on this project begins in the fall semester of the senior year. In the spring semester candidates register for . 

This course must be taken in addition to the minimum of eight courses required for the major. The quality of the project resulting from this course, as judged by the adviser and one other faculty member, determines whether the student receives honors or a grade in .

Successful honors students whose departmental average is 3.50 or higher are eligible to stand for high honors at the discretion of the faculty. For this distinction the student must fulfill all regular honors requirements and must also pass an additional oral examination based on his or her cumulative work in German courses.

German Department

For more information about the department, including faculty, the Freiburg study group, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.