Why Major in German?
Why study German? So many reasons! The language is spoken by roughly 200 million people around the world, and it is the most widely-understood language after English in the European Union. In fact, German is among the 10 most commonly spoken languages in the world and is the second most commonly used scientific language, making it a pivotal asset for those in STEM fields.
Further, Germany is Europe’s largest economy and one of the world’s biggest exporters while also being a leader in environmentalism and renewable energy. Known for innovation and creativity, German-speaking peoples have a tremendously rich cultural heritage and have played a prominent role in literature, music, art, film and philosophy, influencing the way we think and live.
Belmont's German Program provides students with the tools and opportunities to become competent, confident, culturally literate citizens of our global society. Combining language acquisition with cultural studies, the German curriculum helps students tie the language to in-depth analysis of literature, culture and film. Students can major or minor in German and are strongly encouraged to study abroad as part of their Belmont education, with programs offered in both Regensburg and Berlin.
Graduates of Belmont's German program have received prestigious Fulbright Scholarships to teach English in Austria and Germany. Alumni pursue Master’s and PhD degrees and careers in education, business, finance, law, healthcare, science, tourism, student affairs and the arts.
What You'll Learn
- Effective communication and understanding of the French language
- Historical insights into German civilization and culture
- Critical thinking and interpretation of German literature
- Intercultural experiences through study abroad opportunities
- Analytical skills and cultural literacy that can apply to tourism, politics, diplomacy, marketing, business and teaching.
Career Possibilities
- International business
- International law
- International affairs
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Higher education
- Finance
- Healthcare
Program Details
Curriculum
The German major leads to either a bachelor of arts degree. It requires 128 hours of coursework:
- BELL core requirements: 53 hours
- Major requirements: 30 hours
- Minor requirements: 18 hours
- General electives: 27 hours
Courses You'll Take
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- GER 3010 German Studies I
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or permission of instructor.
A Survey of German history and culture from 1648 to 1850.- GER 3020 German Studies II
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or permission of instructor.
A survey of German history and culture from 1850 to present.- GER 3900 Senior Seminar
This course, required of all German majors, is designed to round out the student’s undergraduate study of German. The course content will be individualized, depending on the student’s needs.
- GER 2950 Study Abroad: Intermediate German
Study of German at the intermediate level and of German culture in Germany.
- GER 3950 Study Abroad: Advanced German, Special Topics
Repeatable study of German at the advanced level in Germany.
- GER 2010 Intermediate German I
Prerequisites: GER 1020 or three years of high school German.
A thorough review of grammar, with intensive exercises in reading and in speaking German.- GER 2020 Intermediate German II
Prerequisites: GER 1020 or three years of high school German.
A thorough review of grammar, with intensive exercises in reading and in speaking German.- GER 3100 Advanced German
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or equivalent.
Continued practice in all four skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - will be combined with grammar exercises, cultural study, vocabulary expansion, and conversation practice.- GER 3120 Introduction to German Literature
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or permission of instructor.
Close study of selected masterworks of German literature.- GER 3500 Topics in German Literature
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or permission of instructor.
The study of periods, movements, themes and/or authors in German literature. This course may be repeated for credit as content of course changes.- GER 3600 Special Topics in German
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or permission of instructor.
Advanced studies in German language and civilization. Topics may include, among others, issues in German history, politics and society, German cinema and German for business. This course may be repeated for credit as content of course changes.- GER 2990 Independent Studies
Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes.
- GER 3980 Peer Tutor
Prerequisites: GER 2020 or equivalent and permission of the instructor.
Arranged on an individual basis, this course introduces students to the teaching and/or tutoring of foreign languages. Students work closely with a faculty mentor and students in a classroom or tutoring setting.- GER 3990 Independent Studies
Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes.
A variety of related events take place on campus and off, from International Awareness Week events sponsored by all language groups and an International Student Organization, to soirees, fiestas, Viennese Ball, film series, dinners and concerts planned by individual language and International Student groups. Belmont also has a chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society, to honor those students who excel in language study.
To enhance their German studies, students can also choose to participate in a semester- or year-long exchange program with the University of Regensburg and an intensive summer language and culture program in Berlin.
Phi Sigma Iota
Phi Sigma Iota recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to foreign language, literature or culture. These fields include not only modern foreign languages, but also Classics, Linguistics, Philology, Comparative Literature, Bilingual Education, Second Language Acquisition and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign language component. Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages. There are approximately 250 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the US, Mexico and France.
Max-Kade-Residence
The Max-Kade-Residence is a living learning center on campus, where American students and exchange students from Germany live together and learn from each other. It hosts cultural events throughout the year, such as German cooking lessons, Kaffeeklatsch, Adventsfest and movie nights.
German Conversation at Bongo Java
Weekly gatherings at Bongo Java, a local coffee house across from campus, provide an opportunity for informal conversation in German and for students to get to know each other beyond the classroom.
Justin Tatooles
“Belmont’s German department doesn’t just teach language, it lives language. Rather than focusing on rote memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules, we bring language concepts alive through cultural inquiries and literary criticisms. It’s almost impossible to find one’s way through a German major or minor without visiting a German speaking country, intellectually evolving through new and exciting cultural experiences. Being a German major at Belmont is a transformative experience; it will always be a part of my formation as a thinker.”
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Danielle Walden
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8340