German Studies, Minor
Develop intercultural competencies for global careers with international and domestic opportunities through the minor in German studies at Saint Louis University. The German studies minor is interdisciplinary in its approach to the development of linguistic and cultural proficiency and requires five courses in German language, literature, and culture, preparing students for immersion and research in German.
A German minor complements other fields of study, such as medicine/health sciences, engineering, sciences, education, international business and international studies, as well as many humanities majors, such as history, political science, library science, philosophy, and theology.
Being competent in more than one language makes students highly competitive in the job market and in the workplace, but also makes them more sensitive to different customs and practices because of the intercultural competencies they bring to interacting with other people. With the help of the dedicated and experienced faculty in German, German minors at SLU participate in vigorous and personalized learning as they refine their language skills in German, develop these intercultural competencies, explore the German cultural legacy, and gain familiarity with German within professional and research contexts.
Highlights
SLU's intimate and vibrant German studies program highlights the crucial role of the German-speaking countries in the development of Western Civilization and in modern-day Europe and our global world. Students will enjoy a rich and varied curriculum, which draws from Germany’s centuries-long contributions to literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, music, philosophy, theology, and the sciences.
Saint Louis University offers German minors opportunities for summer, semester and year-long study abroad programs that count toward degree options, especially through the department’s affiliation agreements with the University of Heidelberg and its U.S. counterpart Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio; the University of Frankfurt; and the University of Stuttgart.
The German program places a strong emphasis on language proficiency, intercultural competence, and knowledge of both the earlier and modern time. For example, students choose from courses including "Fluency in German" which is taught around contemporary issues in the German-speaking countries, "German for Professional Use,” “Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Parzival: Gender, Race, and Otherness,” or “Modern German Prose and Film.”
Careers
A minor in German studies can prepare students for a number of rewarding careers. Opportunities are rich in fields such as comparative literature, performing arts, cinema, engineering, politics, sports, fashion and industry. Hundreds of American companies operate in Germany and vice versa. Students might pursue a career as a(n):
- International business representative
- Scientific researcher
- International lawyer
- Foreign service officer
- Social service employee
- Teacher
- Interpreter/Translator
- Museum curator
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GR 2010 | Intermediate German: Language & Culture † | 3 |
| GR 3010 | Communicating in Written German: The German Media † | 3 |
| GR 3020 | Communicating in Spoken German: Contemporary Issues (satisfies CORE 1200) † | 3 |
| GR 3210 | German Cultural History | 3 |
| GR 4xxx | Any 4000-level German Course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- †
In the event that an incoming student is placed above GR 2010, GR 3010 or 3020, s/he would take additional 4000-level courses to meet the 15-credit requirement.
Continuation Standards
All German studies minor courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for the minor and for the student to continue in the minor.