Undergraduate Program

Our undergraduate program provides a large range of opportunities for our students whether they are majoring or minoring in German. In addition to a rich selection of courses, we offer opportunities for study abroad.

Lower Division Programs

Language Learning Center(LLC) The LLC facilitates technology-based language learning and researching. The LLC is more than a language laboratory. It also offers workshops, conducts language placement exams, and supports students and faculty in both teaching and learning.

Upper Division Program

In their upper division courses, students explore a wide range of topics to develop a broad understanding of German language, literature, and culture. With their adviser's assistance, students can tailor their major to fit their needs, and they often combine their German major with another major in the humanities or social sciences.

German Major

The German major explores in depth the literature and language, the culture and commerce of the German-speaking world (primarily Germany, Austria and Switzerland). The key to the major lies in the careful balance between the solid core requirements and the flexibility afforded by a choice from three options:

  1. The General Program
  2. German Area Studies
  3. German Culture and Commerce

Whereas the General Program accommodates specifically those students whose interests lie in literary studies, German Area Studies as well as the Culture and Commerce emphasis offer two options which combine advanced language study with courses featuring the contributions of the German-speaking world in fields as art, music, philosophy, history, politics, and economics.

Two of the three major tracks reflect the Department's primary emphasis on literary figures, movements, and themes and thus they share a common core of upper division literature electives. The Culture and Commerce track has as its goal functional language competency which means that it is designed to enable students to live and work in a German-speaking environment. A key feature of this track is a work/study experience abroad. Regardless of track, students will find maximum practice in spoken and written German as well as in listening comprehension in all upper division courses offered in German.

Before reaching a final decision concerning a German major, the student should meet with the undergraduate advisor to discuss the focus of his/her plans for the German program. A challenging and advantageous option is that of a double major, e.g. German & History, German and another European literature, or most frequently, German & International Relations.

B.A. Major Requirements

Preparatory Subject Matter (for all three options)

The General Program

Total: 44 units.

German Area Studies

Four elective courses in accordance with the student's interest from at least two of the following areas after consultation with, and approval by the major advisor: 16 units

This is not a complete list of possible electives, which will depend on what is offered by the various departments.

Total: 44 units. The total of 44 upper division units may include units earned in the Education Abroad Program.

German Culture and Commerce

Recommended Courses:

German Minor

The German minor consists of at least 20 upper division units of courses taught in German. Students wishing to minor in German should consult the undergraduate advisor.

Minor Requirements

The minor requires completion of five upper-division courses in German. Students are encouraged to consider a minor that combines a coherent group of courses to emphasize area studies in German (i.e., German philosophy, the arts, history, political science, as well as literature). UNITS: 20–24.

German Language and/or Literature: Choose courses numbered from German 101A through 109B and literature courses that are taught in German.

Advising

Given the great flexibility in the German major, it is important that students design their programs in close consultation with their major adviser. This is especially important for students who intend to use their major as preparation for graduate study, who are planning a teaching career, or who wish to take advantage of our EAP options.

German Undergraduate Peer Advisor

Paige Liebenberg

Advisor

Elisabeth Krimmer

Honors

In addition to the Davis Honors Challenge, the campus-wide honors program, the German department offers the opportunity for motivated students to earn high or highest honors within their German major. The requirements for earning high and highest honors in German are in addition to the regular requirements for the major in German.

Honors in German Program

Eligibility Requirements

Students, at the end of their junior year (135 units), must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in courses required for their German major.

Honors Requirements

The honors program consists of two quarters of research (194H) terminating in an honors thesis. For details consult the undergraduate major advisor. Graduation with high or highest honors requires participation in the honors program. Normally, a student will undertake the honors project during the first two quarters of the senior year; other arrangements must be authorized by the department chair.

Opportunities for Scholarships and Awards

Delta Phi Alpha: German Honor Society

Undergraduate students with an overall GPA of 2.7 who have demonstrated exceptional work in at least five upper division German courses (minimum GPA of 3.3) are invited to apply for membership in the German National Honor Society, Delta Phi Alpha. The society offers a few scholarships to Germany on a nationwide basis. The application deadline is quite early in the academic year, usually the beginning of October.

Departmental citations

Departmental citations are presented to those students who have demonstrated excellence in their German studies, as determined by the faculty.

Scholarship Applications

Applications for scholarships are available at the UCD Scholarship office, Voorhies Hall, Rm. 228. Many undergraduate scholarships are very restrictive and specific; for instance, there is one, the Emily L. Vaage Undergraduate Scholarship in German which is awarded to an outstanding German major.

Students who are interested in furthering their education may want to consider the following opportunities:

Study Abroad

Study abroad is an excellent way not only to increase your fluency in German but also to experience a new culture. Learning and living in another country can be life-changing, and it will provide you with international experience that is essential in view of the globalization occurring today.

Education Abroad Center

Education Abroad, also known as "Junior Year Abroad," is a coordinated effort by the UC System which allows more than 1300 UC students annually to study in 33 countries across the globe. Students interested in German may study in Göttingen, Potsdam, or Berlin. Acceptance of credits earned toward degree and major completion is contingent upon two factors:

  1. The criteria of the College of Letters & Science.
  2. The course requirements of the particular academic department in which the student is majoring.

There are many options to choose from if you are planning on studying abroad. For information about study abroad options, stop by the Education Abroad Center located at 207 3rd St., Suite 120 in Davis or visit their web site: http://eac.ucdavis.edu/eac/major_german.cfm.

Summer Sessions Abroad

Summer Session Abroad: http://summer-abroad.ucdavis.edu/

Summer Sessions Abroad has programs in Berlin, Freiburg, and other German-speaking areas. Courses are taught in English. Students typically earn between 8 and 13 units.

German Placement Exam

Any student may take the Placement Exam to test out of the German requirement or to determine what level of German (I, II or III) to enter, if the student has not already taken the Advanced Placement Test in German.

Call the Language Learning Center at (530) 752-1508 the day before, and make a reservation to take the placement exam. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time at the Language Learning Center which is located in 53 Olson Hall. For information about the test format and to see a demo, visit the Language Learning Center web site, click on "Services" in the left navigation, and then click on "Placement examinations" in the list of services.

What to Expect

  1. You may only take the exam ONCE.
  2. The exam is computerized, takes about one hour and is very user-friendly.
  3. You will receive your results immediately.