German Studies Major

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The Department of Languages offers a major in German Studies and a minor in German. What makes Heidelberg’s German program unique among American universities is that students complete most of their major requirements in Germany, at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe (The Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg). During their academic year in our American Junior Year program, students who major in German Studies expand their language skills and deepen their understanding of German culture-not just by reading about it, but by experiencing the rhythms of everyday life firsthand and completing an internship in Germany. The Study Abroad Preparation course and post-study abroad German Portfolio course serve as academic bookends to the experience, providing our students with the opportunity to prepare for their year-long international experience, live it, and then reflect on it in the target language.

The American Junior Year Program’s six-week summer session in May and June offers all Heidelberg students the opportunity to earn 6-8 semester hours of credit in the intermediate and advanced levels. See the website for more information: www.heidelberg.edu/ajy.

Major Requirements (30 semester hours):

Required Courses:

GMS 290 - Preparation for Study Abroad 1 Credit Hour(s)
GMS 332 - Pre-Semester Intensive German Language 4 Credit Hour(s)
GMS 333 - Contemporary Controversies in German Culture 3 Credit Hour(s)
GMS 370 - Internship 3-15 Credit Hour(s) (minimum 3 hours required)
GMS 489 - German Studies Portfolio 1 Credit Hour(s)
GMS 490 - German Studies Capstone Course 1 Credit Hour(s)

Additional Requirements:

18 additional semester hours completed in the American Junior Year at Heidelberg University in Heidelberg,Germany. Up to 8 of these additional hours may be from courses taught in English, with approval of the Chair.

Recommended Additional Courses:

COM 245 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credit Hour(s)
COM 314 - Intercultural Communication 3 Credit Hour(s)

Note:

NOTE: The prerequisite for entrance into the AJY program is completion of GER 202 or equivalent. Students without sufficient language proficiency may need to enroll in additional language courses.

Placement Test:

Students with previous training in German who wish to continue the language at Heidelberg University should take the German Placement test. The results of the test and consideration of the student’s previous training in German will form the basis for placement at the appropriate level.

Allied/Prerequisite Course:

Students with previous training in German who wish to continue the language at Heidelberg University should take the German Placement test. The results of the test and consideration of the students’ previous German training will form the basis for placement at the appropriate level.

Credit by Examination:

Students who have completed three or more years of German in high school may apply for credit by examination for courses beyond GER 101 , GER 102 . Students must make arrangements with the department faculty, complete the appropriate form in the Registrar’s Office and pay the prescribed fee at the Business Office. The results of the test should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office within the first four weeks of the semester in which the student is taking the next higher level German course. Therefore, the application procedure should be completed as early as possible.