German, Bachelor of Arts | Johns Hopkins University Academic Catalogue

German Major Requirements

(Also see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)

Students are encouraged to declare their intent to major in German in their sophomore year and to make an advising appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss their academic plans, including options for a study abroad semester or year.

The German major is designed as an interdisciplinary program that links the study of German literature and culture to other areas of inquiry. In consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, majors choose a concentration or track. Examples of tracks include:

German Literature, Language, and Culture
Modern German Thought
Environmental Humanities
Media, Performance, and the Arts
Science, Technology, and the History of Knowledge
German in a Globalized World

Majors must complete a minimum of ten courses (at least 3 credits each) in German beyond AS.210.262 Intermediate German II. The requirements for the major are as follows:

The Advanced German sequence, which consists of AS.210.361 (Advanced German I: Cultural Topics of the Modern German-speaking World) and AS.210.362 (Advanced German II: Contemporary Issues in the German-speaking World). If students are waived from AS.210.361 and/or AS.210.362, they must complete an additional AS.210.3XX course per waived advanced language course to keep the number of required courses at ten. The sequence fulfills the Writing and Communication requirement for the major. (6 credits)
At least one upper-level course with the heading “Topics in German Literature” (AS.213.3XX). The courses in this series are taught entirely in German and are offered every semester. Students are encouraged to take more than one course in this series. (3 credits)
Four upper-level classes in the German program with either an AS.210.3XX or AS.213.3XX course number. (12 credits)
Two electives in fields related to the student’s chosen track. All electives must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. (6 credits)
A capstone seminar for seniors offered in the fall every year. Students will work on a paper and a talk to be delivered at the end of the semester at a German section forum explaining their interdisciplinary project. (3 credits)

All major requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better and may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Writing and Communication in the Major

Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication Foundational Ability coursework in one major. For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by completing two required courses of the major, AS.210.361 and AS.210.362. Students waived from either of these courses would need to complete electives in the major that are designated as Writing and Communication courses.

Pre-Requisites to the Major (or appropriate placement):

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
AS.210.161	German Elements I	3
AS.210.162	German Elements II	3
AS.210.261	Intermediate German I	3
AS.210.262	Intermediate German II	3
Total Credits		12

Major Requirements:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
AS.210.361	Advanced German I: Cultural Topics of the Modern German-speaking World	3
AS.210.362	Advanced German II: Contemporary Issues in the German Speaking World	3
One “Topics in German Literature” course (AS.213.3xx)		3
Four German courses from the AS.210.3xx or AS.213.3xx series ¹		12
Two electives in chosen track ²		6
Senior Capstone Seminar		3
Total Credits		30

¹: The AS.210.3xx courses that currently apply are AS.210.363 Business German and AS.210.365 German for Science and Engineering.
²: All electives must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Sample Program of Study

The following 4-year plan presents a sample guideline for students starting with no prior knowledge in German. Beyond the completion of the Advanced German sequence, the selection of courses suggested below is just a suggestion; students are free to choose other courses and vary the sequence as long as they complete the total number of credit hours and do not exceed the maximum number of credits for courses taught in English. Students with prior knowledge in German must take the departmental placement exam before registering for a German class. It is recommended that they discuss specific arrangements for the completion of their requirements with the DUS.

First Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
AS.210.161	3	AS.210.162	3
	3		3
Second Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
AS.210.261	3	AS.210.262	3
	3		3
Third Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
AS.210.361	3	AS.210.362	3
Track elective	3	AS.213.3xx course	3
		Track elective	3
	6		9
Fourth Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
AS.210.3xx or AS.213.3xx course	3	AS.210.3xx or AS.213.3xx course	3
AS.210.3xx or AS.213.3xx course	3	AS.210.3xx or AS.213.3xx course	3
Senior Capstone	3
	9		6
Total Credits 42

Honors in German

The German program offers an Honors program for highly qualified undergraduates. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to qualify for the program. In addition, they must have a faculty sponsor who advises the thesis as well as a second reader. The second reader can come from outside the German program.