Admission to this program has been suspended. Any students wishing to study German can now opt to complete a major in Global Studies, with a focus on the German language and a region where German is spoken.

 

The Major in German Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the German-speaking world. It is designed to provide students with a solid background in the cultural contexts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Students combine language, culture and practical skills courses in the German Studies program with elective courses offered by other related programs at Catholic University. They also add a practical immersion experience through study in a German-speaking country. Since Washington, D.C., is the home of important German cultural and research institutes and many of the leading German businesses and corporations are headquartered right here in the DC metropolitan area, students enrolled in the German Studies major have access to high-level internships and professional careers.
 
 

Curriculum

The German Studies major entails 12 courses:
  • 3 intermediate and advanced language courses:
    • GER 104, 203, 204 (203 and 204 can be taken out of sequence)
  • 2 gateway seminars:
    • GER 300, 301 (can be taken out of sequence)
  • 1 practical skills course, such as:
    • GER 303: German for the Professions
    • GER 401: German for Business
    • GER 402: German Translation
    • MLL 495: Modern Languages Internship
  • 1 400-level topics research seminar, such as:
    • GER 488: Special Research Seminar (can be repeated with different topics)
  • 1 Senior Thesis Seminar:
    • GER 489
  • 4 Elective courses that are pre-approved by the advisor. No more than 3 can be taught in English and 1 must have a European Studies focus, such as:
    • EURO 201, 202, 203
    • HIST 222, 334A, 338A, 346
Please note that students who place out of one of the language courses (104, 203, and 204) will enroll in additional elective courses. 
 

Education Abroad

German Studies Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a German-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs.

GER 300 and GER 489 must be taken at Catholic University.

Under special circumstances may students petition that the study abroad requirement be waived.

Interdisciplinary Course Work

German Studies Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies to integrate their studies in larger European cultural context.

Students should also consider to add a minor or a second major in a related discipline, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics..