Germanic Studies, BALAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Germanic Studies
The BALAS in Germanic Studies serves to develop competence in German or Scandinavian languages and cultures. Students will gain familiarity with the structure of the language and its use in the context of business, contemporary culture, intellectual history, literature, and science. Students must select one concentration in consultation with an adviser:
- German Studies Concentration
- German Business & Commercial Studies Concentration
- Scandinavian Studies Concentration
The Department of German Languages & Literatures also offers a BA in the Teaching of German.
5 year BALAS/MA in Germanic Studies
The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers a 5-year program leading to two degrees, a BALAS in Germanic Studies and an MA in German. In order to be admitted to this program, student can apply during their second or third year of studies. Requirements for this program are identical to those for the BALAS and the MA in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.
In order to be admitted to the 5-year BALAS/MA during their second year, students will need to be in good standing, have finished GER 211 and GER 331, have a general GPA of 3.0 and a German GPA of 3.0, and be required to write a short essay in German.
In order to apply for the 5-year BALAS/MA during their third year, students will have to have finished GER 401 and GER 420, have a general GPA of 3.0 and a German GPA of 3.0, and be required to write a short essay in German.
The department will continue to monitor the GPAs of students admitted to the BALAS/MA program into their third and fourth years and before formal admission to the Graduate College. The decision about students’ admission to the 5-year program will be made by the graduate admissions committee in conjunction with undergraduate and graduate advisors of the department. The Department will consider students in the fifth year of this program for departmental support as Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants, or for fellowships and scholarships.
The minimum total number of hours required for graduation from the BALAS/MA program is 152. Up to 12 hours not required for the BALAS (120 hours) taken during the fourth year can be used to meet the requirements for the MA (32 hours). Students admitted to the program will receive both degrees once all requirements for the 5-year BALAS/MA degree program have been successfully completed. More detailed information may be obtained from the departmental office.
5 Year BALAS/MA in German and European Union Studies
The Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures with the European Union Center offers a 5-year BALAS/MA degree program in German (including a Scandinavian Studies Concentration) and the Master of Arts in European Union Studies (MAEUS). In order to be admitted to this degree program, students apply through a joint application process to their BALAS-granting program and the European Union Center during their third year of studies. Requirements for this degree program are identical to those for the standalone BALAS and for the stand-alone MAEUS. Students will receive both degrees when the requirements are met for the degrees; the BALAS and MA degrees will be conferred separately and independently. More detailed information may be obtained from department and EUC offices.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Germanic Studies
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | GER 104 | 4 |
| GER 103 | 4 | General Education course or Composition 1 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education Course | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| GER 211 | 3 | GER 212 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| German Studies course | 3 | GER 331 | 3 |
| German Studies course | 3 | 300 - 400 - level German Studies course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| GER 420 | 4 | 300 - 400 - level German Studies course | 3 |
| 300 - 400 - level German Studies course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Germanic Studies
- Language ability: Students develop and improve their foreign language abilities, i.e. their ability to read, speak, write, and listen in German and/or a modern Scandinavian language in order to work with texts and communicate with others in these languages.
- Cultural-historical literacy and knowledge: Students develop and improve their ability to function in non-native cultural-historical and linguistic contexts and communities in order to respect and navigate cultural differences and build upon similarities. Furthermore, students will synthesize knowledge relevant to broad cultural and linguistic areas within German and/or Scandinavian studies in order to apply that knowledge toward the other learning outcomes outlined here.
- Analytical and argumentative skills: Students develop and improve their abilities to analyze diverse cultural artifacts in order to apply analytical thinking and discursive skills to the construction of sound, supported, factual argumentation rather than merely expression of opinion, completely or in part.
- Writing development: Students will demonstrate and produce well-written, communicative, argumentative, and interpretive texts in German, Swedish, and/or English in order to competently meet diverse writing tasks carried out in any of the relevant languages above. Furthermore, students will be able to carry out various forms of research in support of their writing in order to create more substantive texts, which are also genre appropriate and written for a particular audience.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Germanic Studies
Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures website
Germanic Languages & Literatures Faculty
German advising
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences