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University of Pittsburgh    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Interdisciplinary German Studies


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The study of foreign language and culture is a cornerstone of education in today’s world. It teaches intercultural competence by increasing students’ understanding of their own background and their sensitivity for other traditions and values. Knowledge of foreign language and culture brings obvious competitive advantages in careers with an international dimension. As a liberal arts discipline, it improves analytic-conceptual and communication skills necessary for professional careers. Enhanced with appropriate course work, a major in German serves as a foundation for professional training in such subjects as business, law, politics, and medicine, as well as the media and communication industry. Students with a bachelor’s degree in German will compete well in non-technical fields for jobs requiring an undergraduate degree.

Required introductory language courses


Select one of the following pairs of courses. Equivalency of other courses will be determined by the department.

Required writing-intensive course


Select one of the following writing-intensive courses.

1000-level course


Students must complete one course at the 1000-level in the Department of German.

Literary analysis course


1100- to 1400-level courses


Students must complete three courses at the 1100- to 1400-level in the Department of German.

1500-level courses


Students must complete four courses at the 1500-level in the Department of German. Courses with significant German Studies content offered by other departments may also satisfy this requirement. Check with the undergraduate advisor for information on non-departmental courses that qualify.

Other requirements


Grade requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in each course that counts toward the major.

Satisfactory/No Credit option: 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.

Writing (W) requirement: Students must complete at least one W-course in the major. GER 1001  and GER 1003  fulfill this requirement.

Related area: A minimum of 12 credits is required in any one Dietrich School department chosen in consultation with the major advisor. The completion of an official Dietrich School minor or a Dietrich School or UCIS certificate also satisfies this requirement.

Honors major requirements: To earn departmental honors in German, students must demonstrate superior performance in departmental courses by:

  • earning at least a 3.5 GPA average in their major courses;
  • demonstrating a high level of proficiency in speaking and writing German; and
  • completing a three-credit senior honors project (in addition to 31 credits of the major) that has been accepted by the departmental faculty. Senior honors projects may include:
    • a semester-long, independent research project, as an extension of the senior thesis written during the capstone project; or
    • taking an exam on a comprehensive reading list derived by the student in consultation with the faculty; or
    • enrolling in a graduate seminar and completing a graduate paper.

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