German, BA

Return to: Liberal Arts, College of

Program Description:

The Department of Modern Languages offers a major and a minor in German.

The major in German entails a profound study of the language, history, culture, literature, and film of the German-speaking world.  All elementary through advanced-level classes are designed to progressively develop students’ oral and written proficiency and cultural competence, and are conducted exclusively in the target language.  Students of German develop a complex understanding of how German culture has evolved in Germany and other German-speaking countries and areas of the world.  Thematically cohesive courses in composition and conversation equip students with advanced communication skills that can be used effectively in academic, social, and professional contexts.

Study abroad is encouraged and many students fulfill requirements for the German major in two-week to one-year long individual exchanges, professor-led courses abroad, and at university approved consortium sites.  German faculty have recently led short-term ambassador study abroad programs to German and Austria, and popular summer-, semester-, and year-long destinations offered through USAC, ISA, the Ohio Consortium, and direct exchange programs include German and Austria.

Learning any foreign language helps students think creatively by exposing them to new ways of conceiving the world and by sensitizing them to the nuances of culture and communication.  These skills are highly desirable in today’s globally dynamic marketplace.  The German major is particularly useful for students wishing to enter globally oriented careers in the arts and the performing arts, the hospitality and travel industry, business, education, creative writing, international development, government, law, communications, linguistics, medical professions, motion pictures, philosophy, psychology, translation, and interpretation.

Those students who qualify for departmental honors may prepare an in-depth project focusing on an area of expertise, including creative writing, translations, film projects, projects involving service to the Dayton area German-speaking community, and service to local schools, museums, or charitable organizations.  Internships are available to students with senior status and serve as the culminating experience using German language skills in a real-life setting.  Extracurricular opportunities that may lead to career placement include work as tutors, supplemental instruction leaders, first-year programs peer instructors, and German club officers.

Graduate Teaching Preparation Program:

Students who wish to teach German in Ohio public schools earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in German.  A sequence of education courses and school placements are required during the bachelor’s degree.

Majors are encouraged to contact faculty for a mock Oral Proficiency Interview required of teaching candidates prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree.

Candidates must meet with a College of Education and Human Services Licensure advisor early in the bachelor’s degree program to learn how to apply for school placements, deadlines, admission details and other important information.

Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, candidates must complete the graduate teacher preparation program through the College of Education and Human Services.

Requirements for admission to the graduate teaching preparation program include a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or higher, C or better grades in all undergraduate content courses, admission testing, reference forms, writing sample and other application materials.  Admissions interviews may be required.

Merit-based scholarships are available.

Program completers with passing scores on state mandated exams and a clear background check, may apply for the Multi-Age License through the Ohio Department of Education.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Be able to understand, speak, read and write German at an “Intermediate High / Advanced Low” level as defined by the proficiency criteria of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• Understand and respect cultural differences, thus allowing them to interact effectively within a German-speaking society and in any culturally complex situation.
• Have a strong foundation in the geography, history and literary tradition of the German-speaking world, and will understand the impact Germany and German culture and linguistics have had and continue to have on other cultures. 
• Have strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Faculty:

Associate Professors: Dona

Instructors: Sturdevant

Undergraduate Language Requirement, College of Liberal Arts:

German majors will have met their language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts by completing requirements for the major.

Placement:

Students with no German background will begin with GER 1010  ; those who have studied German previously or who are heritage speakers will take a placement test to determine the best course for their skill level.  Native or near-native German speakers are encouraged to take a proficiency test in oral and written German to verify placement.  Details about the placement test and proficiency test for prior learning assessment are available on the Modern Languages website.

Prior Learning Assessment:

The Department of Modern Languages believes that students having learned German in high school, through living abroad, or by any other means have the right to earn prior learning credit in German.  Those students who place into German classes between the 1010 and 2020 levels, and attain a grade of C or better, may earn “Pass” credits for sequenced courses below that level.  Students who have placed into a 3000- or 4000-level course may earn “Pass” credits for 1010 through 2020.  By the ninth week of the semester, students desiring prior learning assessment should request and complete their PLA form at the Department of Modern Languages.

Native and near-native speakers of German may taken the German language proficiency test in two areas, Conversation and/or Composition, and receive Prior Learning Assessment “Pass credits for GER 3110  and/or GER 3210  .  Important note:  Students may not receive PLA credit for both upper level (GER 3110  and GER 3210  ) and lower level courses (GER 1010  , GER 1020  , GER 2010  , GER 2020  ).

See the Modern Languages website for details, including fees.