German Studies

Major in German

The major in German is designed to help students achieve linguistic, literary, and cultural competence and to foster and develop transferable skills of critical thinking, textual analysis, effective writing and communication, and international cultural discernment. Training in German Studies includes advanced language courses combined with upper-level seminars on topical areas of literature, film, history, music, and culture. Majors complete the program with strong German-language proficiency, expertise in the analysis of texts and cultural artifacts in their historical and cultural context, the ability to produce texts of various genres in German, and the intellectual background for graduate study in German and many other fields, including business, law, political science, international studies, and medicine. German majors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

The German major requires ten three-credit courses (30 credits):

• GERM2001–2002 German Composition and Conversation I and II (6 credits)
• An upper-level topics course numbered GERM2003 or between GERM2010 and 2020 (3 credits)
• GERM3000 History of German Literature (3 credits)
• Six additional courses in German Studies, at or above the 1051 level, two of which may be taught in English (18 credits)

Students are encouraged to consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad at a German, Austrian, or Swiss university, in which case up to 12 credits (four 3-credit courses) may be applied to the major. Only one course for the major program may be “double counted” toward another major, minor, or Core requirement. To declare your major in German Studies, contact the director of the major, Professor Michael Resler, Lyons Hall 201C, resler@bc.edu.

Honors Program

Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA in German Studies courses are encouraged to apply for the Honors program in German. Honors students take an additional 6 credits in German Studies (either one additional 3-credit upper-level course and one semester of GERM6699, or two semesters of GERM6699). As part of GERM6699, students complete a bachelor’s thesis on a topic chosen in consultation with their proposed thesis advisor. To apply for the Honors program, please contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, Lyons 201F, bowlesd@bc.edu.

Minor in German Studies

The minor in German is one of two minors offered by the Department of German Studies. The minor in German is for students interested in learning the German language and creating ties with the German-speaking world while combining their interest in German with other academic and professional goals. The foremost goal of the program is to foster among students an international focus and the accompanying skills, whatever their major may be. Minors are strongly encouraged to study or work abroad. German minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

The German minor requires six three-credit courses (18 credits):

• GERM2001–2002 German Conversation and Composition I and II (6 credits)
• An upper-level topics course numbered GERM2003 or between GERM2010 and 2020 (3 credits)
• Three additional courses in German Studies, at or above the 1051 level, one of which may be taught in English (9 credits)

Students are encouraged to consult with the German Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies concerning opportunities for study abroad at a German, Austrian, or Swiss university, in which case up to 6 credits (two 3-credit courses) may be applied to the minor. Only one course for the minor program may be “double counted” toward another major, minor, or Core requirement. To declare your minor in German Studies, contact the director of the minor, Professor Daniel Bowles, Lyons Hall 201F, bowlesd@bc.edu.

Minor in German Studies (Interdisciplinary)

The interdisciplinary minor in German Studies is one of two minors offered by the Department of German Studies. This program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking civilization and its place in today's world. Students choose the interdisciplinary minor for its flexibility in taking courses tailored to their interests across departments and may complete the entire minor with courses taught in English. German Studies minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

The German Studies minor requires six 3-credit courses (18 credits):

• GERM2242/HIST2270 Germany Divided and Reunited (3 credits)
• Two additional courses from the German Studies Department at or above the 1051 level (6 credits)
• Three courses from at least two other departments in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences (9 credits)

Consult the German Studies website (bc.edu/german) for a list of courses from across the campus suited to the interdisciplinary minor in German Studies. The Director of the Interdisciplinary Minor updates this list for each semester’s available courses. Students are encouraged to consult with the director concerning opportunities for study abroad at a German, Austrian, or Swiss university, in which case up to 6 credits may be applied to the minor. Only one course for the minor program may be “double counted” toward another major, minor, or a Core requirement.

To declare your German Studies minor and plan your course of study, contact the director of the interdisciplinary minor, Professor Nick Block, Lyons 201A, blockni@bc.edu.

Business Concentration in German Studies

The business concentration allows German majors or minors to combine a dual interest in business and German with a program of study that prepares them for an international career. The business concentration has been developed in conjunction with the Boston College Carroll School of Management to take advantage of the thriving German economy that makes Central and Eastern Europe a strong market for American products and has enabled German companies to open branches in the United States.

The German business concentration requires two 3-credit courses (6 credits), counting simultaneously toward the German major or minors:

• GERM2004 Business German (3 credits)
• GERM2005 Germany in Europe Today (3 credits)

Students majoring or minoring in German Studies can apply in the fall semester for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer. Inquire about the internship, for which you may receive one course credit (GERM5501), by contacting Ursula Mangoubi in Lyons 201G, mangoubi@bc.edu.

Students are encouraged to spend a year or a semester at the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business), the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, or the Ingolstadt School of Management affiliated with our partner university, the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.

Study or Work Abroad

Students can study in a German-speaking country for a year, a semester, or a summer, with recommended programs in Eichstätt, Berlin, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Students preferably study abroad during their junior year. Students should consult German Studies faculty in addition to the Office of International Programs to learn about the requirements for each specific program. Courses taken abroad in German may be accorded major or minor credit: up to 12 credits may be applied to the major and 6 credits to the minors.

Only German majors and minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany every summer. Students are paid through their job and/or through Boston College internship grants and other fellowships.

Students apply for the elite Fulbright program starting the spring before their senior year. For Fulbright information, contact Professor Michael Resler, Lyons Hall 201C, resler@bc.edu.