GMST - German Studies Major

German Studies Requirements

There are three different majors in the German Studies program.  The Single-Language Focus draws solely on the German language, whereas the two Dual-Language Focus majors allow students to combine German with the study of another language.   All languages in the departments of Language and Culture Studies and Classical Studies can count toward this track.

1.     German Studies Single-Language Focus majors are required to take a total of 10 credits (not courses), six of which must be earned within the German studies section of the Department of Language and Culture studies. Students counting both introductory German language courses (GRMN 101 and 102) toward the major must earn a total of 11 credits, seven of which must be in the German Studies section. German Studies requires a C or higher for a course to count toward the major.

2.     German Studies Dual-Language Focus with German as the primary language majors are required to take 6 credits in German Studies.

3.     German Studies Dual-Language Focus with German as the secondary language majors are required to take 4 credits in German Studies.

Required Courses:

1.     German Studies Single-Language Focus: GRMN 101, 102 (if student begins at the 100-level), GRMN 201, 202, one 200-level course taught in English, two 300-level GRMN courses, and 401, which serves as the senior exercise. The remaining credits shall be earned either with additional GRMN or GRMN/LACS courses, or courses in other departments with the major adviser’s approval and with no more than two credits chosen from the same department.

As an alternative to the credits taken in other departments, students are encouraged to enroll in the Trinity-approved program with Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, Tübingen, Freiburg, Konstanz, and other universities), Trinity-in-Vienna or Trinity-in-Berlin summer. Courses taken in Baden-Württemberg or Vienna count toward the major with the condition that their content be relevant to German studies and approved in advance by the major adviser. For courses to be approved, they must require a substantial amount of reading and writing in German.

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement in the German Studies Single-Language Focus major is fulfilled by: any GRMN 200-level course taught in English, any 300-level GRMN course, or GRMN 401. Senior Seminar: Special Topics.

2.     German Studies Dual-Language Focus with German as the Primary Language: students are required to take 6 credits in German Studies, GRMN101,102, GRMN 201,202, one 300-level course and GRMN 401. Students beginning at the 200-level may take an additional 300-level course and another 200-level GRMN/LACS course.

3.     German Studies Dual-Language Focus with German as the Secondary Language: students are required to take 4 credits in German Studies, GRMN 201, 202, and two 200-level GRMN/LACS courses. 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: To maximize exposure to German language and culture, students are strongly encouraged to spend a least one semester at the Trinity-approved program of study in Baden-Württemberg or at Trinity’s Global Learning Site in Vienna. Both study-away programs provide opportunities for language immersion at a major German university, as well as the chance to pursue independent study or community service while residing in a culturally and historically rich Germanic setting. For more information, visit the Baden-Württemberg website or the Trinity-in-Vienna website.

Honors: Students qualifying for honors in the German studies major must attain a cumulative average of A- or better in all courses required for the major, including GRMN 401. The topic for the final project for GRMN 401 will be agreed upon in consultation with the adviser.

Language Across the Curriculum: German studies majors are encouraged to take advantage of the Language Across the Curriculum opportunity and earn an additional .5 credit toward the major. In collaboration with a member of the department, students may select supplementary readings in German that complement courses in philosophy, history, music and select other departments- these courses must be approved by the student’s advisor. Enrollment in Language Across the Curriculum follows the guidelines for independent study registration.