The German major offers the highest level of language and cultural competence. Students have two options:
- the German Language and Cultural Studies major (min. 33 credits), which focuses primarily on coursework in German; or
- the Interdisciplinary German Studies Major (min. 43 credits), which combines coursework in German with coursework on German subject matter in other departments.
Both majors focus on communicative and cultural competence in German, and both are designed to prepare students not only for graduate studies, but also for careers in fields as varied as business, the arts, science and medicine, law, or government.
Requirements for the German Language and Cultural Studies Major (at least 33 credits/11 courses).
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Prerequisites for the Major |
Successful completion of Introductory German Language Sequence equivalent |
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2 Intermediate Language Courses |
Intermediate German two-course sequence (one of the following, 6-10 credits):***
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1 Writing Course |
Writing (GER 1001) or German Business Writing / Professional Purposes I (GER 1003) (3 credits) |
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1 1000-level Course |
One course at the 1000-level (other than the writing course) (3 credits) |
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1 Course in Literary Analysis |
Literary Analysis (GER 1105) (3 credits) |
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2 1100-level Courses |
Two courses at the 1100-level (6 credits) |
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1 1200-1400-level Course |
One 1200-1400-level seminar (3 credits) |
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2 Advanced Courses |
Select any combination of two courses from the following: -1200-1400-level seminars; -1500-level courses in the German department (with a trailer or some work in German that is pre-approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies); or -German studies courses in other departments with a 1-credit language trailer in German (6 credits) [NOTE: One of either the 1500-level courses or courses in other departments may be taken without a trailer or extra work in German] |
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1 Capstone Experience |
One Capstone Seminar (GER 1399), taken fall semester of senior year (3 credits) |
Requirements for the Interdisciplinary German Studies Major (at least 43 credits/14 courses)
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Prerequisites for the Major |
None |
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4-5 Course Introductory and Intermediate German Course Sequence |
Students must take a minimum of 4 language courses (15-16 credits) and finish the highest level Intermediate German course (GER 004, or GER 204, or GER 202) |
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1 Required Writing Course |
Writing (GER 1001) or German Business Writing / Professional Purposes I (GER 1003) (3 credits) |
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1 1000-level Course |
One course at the 1000-level (3 credits) |
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1 Course in Literary Analysis |
Literary Analysis (GER 1105) (3 credits) |
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3 Courses at the 1100- through 1400- level |
Three additional courses from GER 1100-1499 (not including Writing Courses or Literary Analysis, 9 credits) |
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Four 1500-level Courses in our outside the German Department |
Four courses (12 credits):
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1 Capstone Experience |
Independent Study Project (GER 1990 - 1 credit), supervised by a member of the German department and, if possible, a member of another department |
Other Requirements and Options (for both German majors):
- A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0 is required in each course that counts toward the major.
- No course that counts toward the major can be taken on an S/NC basis unless the student receives special permission from the major advisor.
- Twelve credits may be transferred from study abroad programs in German-speaking countries to count toward the total credit requirement for either major.
More Information
For further information about the majors, email Jaclyn Kurash, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at jaclynkurash@pitt.edu. Undergraduate applicants are encouraged to apply online through the University of Pittsburgh Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.