Major Program

Major program. To become a German studies major, a student should have no grade lower than a B in any course offered by the department, except GERM101 and 102. The department recognizes the diversity of students' interests and goals by allowing majors great flexibility in designing their programs of study, which are arranged in close consultation with a faculty advisor in the department. While a specific concentration is not required, coherence should be a guiding principle. Majors are expected to fulfill the General Education Expectations.

Requirements and procedures. The department requires nine credits' worth of courses. At least five credits must be earned in courses taught in German above the level of GERM214. Courses in which class discussion is conducted in English may be taken in the German Studies Department and, with the major advisor's approval, in other departments. A maximum of three courses from other departments may be counted. For additional practice in German, majors taking courses taught in English by faculty in the department are strongly encouraged to do part of the reading and writing in German and to have extra sessions with the instructor to discuss the material in German. All majors must take GERM299, Seminar in German Studies, and GERM301, Advanced Seminar in German Literature. GERM299 is offered almost every year in the first semester and should be taken in the sophomore or junior year. GERM301, offered annually, should be taken in the junior or senior year. Majors are expected to spend at least a semester in Germany, preferably, with the Wesleyan Program in Regensburg. Credits for courses taken in Regensburg, including one credit from the two-credit intensive language program, count toward the major, provided the subject matter is relevant to German Studies. Students should consult their major advisor about whether a given course will count.

Criteria and procedures for departmental honors.

1. Eligibility. To become a candidate for honors in German studies, a student must have earned a B+ or better in all German studies courses above GERM211 and must fulfill the departmental requirements for GERM301 and GERM299 stated above.

2. Candidacy. A prospectus must be handed in and approved by the tutor or department chair by the end of Reading Period in the spring of the junior year. The senior must sign up for GERM409/410 (Senior Thesis Tutorial), unless he or she is a candidate for honors in German studies and another department or program; in this case, the thesis tutorials may be divided between the departments. Alternatively, both 409 and 410 may be taken in the German Studies Department or the other department or program. The two departments must agree in advance on what constitutes adequate supervision of the candidate, must approve the topic, and must agree to cooperate in the evaluation of the thesis. By the deadline set by the Committee on Honors, the department will formally nominate the candidate if it appears reasonably certain that the project will be completed on time and in the approved form.

3. Honors projects. The following are examples of two-semester senior-year projects: a scholarly investigation of a topic in German literature or German Studies; a translation from German to English, accompanied by a critical essay or introduction; a production of a play, accompanied by a written analysis; a creative project written in German, accompanied by a brief introduction or afterword.

4. Deadline. All theses and written projects must be submitted by the spring deadline established by the Committee on Honors. Suitable dates for theatrical productions will be arranged by the department.