German Major

Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

(440) 826-2244

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OVERVIEW

The most widely spoken language in Europe, German is an outstanding major for students interested in the sciences, arts, business, education and social sciences.

It has been used for many of the Western world's most important works in philosophy, literature, music, art history, theology, psychology, chemistry, physics, engineering and medicine.

Baldwin Wallace's German program offers a practical approach to language study that connects it to real life. You'll learn about current events, literature, communication and sensitivities, cultural history and contemporary lifestyle of German-speaking nationalities.

The integrative program builds competencies in reading, writing, speaking and language comprehension.

Experiential learning is central to the program. You can take advantage of internships, independent study projects, service-learning activities and co-curricular involvement.

Germany, Austria and Switzerland are among the German-speaking countries where you can travel. BW's study abroad offers outstanding opportunities for year-long, semester-long and shorter immersion experiences.

Enhance your studies by attending cultural events and culinary field trips, participating in a German language table (Kaffeestunde) and joining German Club. The annual BW Oktoberfest is one of the many events organized by the BW German Club each year.
Dr. Christina Svendsen dancing to polka music at the Oktoberfest event.
BW physics professor Peter Hoekje and his band Die Unpronounceables perform at German Club's Oktoberfest.
BW students have many opportunities to participate in German Club events, allowing them to experience a bit of German culture on campus.
Immerse yourself in German language and culture with BW's three-week seminar in Germany. Pictured, seminar students meet in the German capitol building complex (Reichstagsgebäude), in the Social Democratic Party's plenary meeting room.
Enhance your studies by attending cultural events and culinary field trips, participating in a German language table (Stammtisch) and joining German Club. The annual BW Oktoberfest is one of the many events organized by the BW German Club each year.
BW hosts events throughout the year that are popular with the local German-American community. The annual German Advent Vesper Service (Adventsfeier) is led by local Pastor John Hoyer, with readings and songs performed in German by BW students.

Career Opportunities

Government, education, business and nonprofit sectors seek individuals who are fluent in two or more languages. Examples of positions include:

Teacher
Arts-related manager
Linguist/interpreter
Foreign service associate
Travel industry coordinator
Bilingual executive
Curator/archivist
Import/export manager

Interested in becoming a teacher?

BW has an outstanding teacher education program.

Leading Language of Global Business

German-speaking countries have a strong international business presence. More than 1,100 companies have subsidiaries in the U.S. and over 2,000 American companies conduct business in German-speaking countries.

STUDY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOSTS SKILLS

Benefits of learning a foreign language are multi-fold and include:

Career marketability
Effective oral and written communication
Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
Global awareness and intercultural competence
Cultural appreciation

CURRICULUM

Offered as a major and minor, German blends comprehensive coursework with dynamic practical application.

It is an outstanding companion major or minor to other disciplines, including the fine arts, science, business, international studies, mathematics, psychology, political science, history and philosophy.

German courses are open to students of all majors. If you have previously taken classes in German in high school, you will be required to complete a placement test prior to registering for courses.

Within the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, BW offers additional majors and minors in French and Spanish. Instruction also is available for Arabic, Chinese and Italian.

The German major prepares students to:

Communicate in languages other than English
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of other cultures
Use foreign language in connection with other disciplines
Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of language and culture

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Our world-class faculty will help you make your educational experience everything you want it to be. Small class sizes and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio mean professors get to know you and your interests.

Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, fellowships, study abroad and a variety of co-curricular and other learning opportunities.

STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Delta Phi Alpha - National German Honor Society
To qualify for membership, the student must be of at least sophomore standing, be enrolled in a German course beyond the intermediate level, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and have a GPA in German courses of a 3.333 (B+) or better.

German Club
The club provides an opportunity for students to explore and learn about the German language and culture outside the classroom. Other foreign language clubs include the French Club, Italian Club, Middle Eastern Culture Club and Spanish Club.

Language Tables
Language tables are a great opportunity to practice your foreign language skills outside the classroom. All language levels are welcomed.

International Film Series
An annual event on campus, the International Film Series showcases films representing a variety of cultures.

Evenings of Culture: German-American Kulturabend
Held during the school year, the events highlight the present day German instruction at BW while paying tribute to the institution's German heritage, as represented through the union of Baldwin University and German Wallace College.