German Program
Welcome to Union College’s German Cultural Studies program. Our program offers a wide range of courses in language, literatures and cultures of German-speaking Europe. By combining exciting and thought-provoking content orientation with the development of sophisticated language abilities, our classes are challenging but conducted in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Students who minor or major in German Cultural Studies are able to integrate their knowledge of the language and the multicultural society into a broad spectrum of careers, including (but not limited to) engineering, the arts, medicine, international business, law, or politics, to name only a few. Since Germany plays an influential role in unified Europe, proficiency in German language and culture are a vital asset for any student who wants to participate fully in the life and the opportunities of the twenty-first century.
As part of the German Cultural Studies, we furthermore offer an enthralling Term Abroad in Freiburg and Berlin each Spring, as well as the opportunity of a year-long study at a selected German university, organized and funded through the Verband der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs e.V. (Federation of German-American Clubs, http://www.vdac.de/vdac/)
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Requirements for the Major in German: A minimum of ten courses beyond the 101-level, including three 300 level, and two 400 level, and 489 (Senior Project). Majors are normally expected to take one Term Abroad and are encouraged to improve their language skills by living in the German House, attending the weekly German Table, and participating in other extracurricular activities. Students have the option of taking one MLT course (Literature in Translation) for German credit. In addition, majors are urged to take other courses related to German culture and history in other academic fields such as English, history, philosophy, music, art history, and political science.
Requirements for the Interdepartmental Major in German: A minimum of seven courses beyond the 101-level, including two courses at the 300 level and one course at the 400 level if the thesis course 489 in German is chosen; or it can include, in addition to two 300 level courses, two courses at the 400 level if the thesis (with a considerable German component) is written in the second field. Students have the option of taking one MLT course (Literature in Translation) for German credit. Interdepartmental majors are urged to take the Term Abroad and are encouraged to improve their language skills by living in the German House, attending the weekly German Table, and participating in other extracurricular activities.
Requirements for the Minor in German: A minimum of six courses for those who begin with 100, or a minimum of five courses for those beginning at the 101-level or above, including at least two 300-level courses. Minors are strongly encouraged to take a Term Abroad. Minors have the option of taking one MLT for German credit if they have participated in the German Term Abroad.
You are welcome to contact any of us in the German Cultural Studies section if you would like more information about our program!