German Major

Coordinator, Clinton S. Shaffer

The German and German Studies majors equip students to acquire and develop proficiency in Europe’s most widely spoken first language and to cultivate the intercultural communication skills necessary in an increasingly global society. Through dynamic on- and off-campus instruction in multiple facets of German culture—cinema, history, literature, politics, religion, business, etc.—students develop an in-depth understanding of the rich cultures of German-speaking countries. 

Faculty regularly facilitate internships and service-learning opportunities with business, political, and ministry organizations in the U.S. and overseas. Graduating German and German Studies majors often pursue advanced study or work in contexts that demand intercultural communication skills and/or knowledge of the German language and culture.

German and German Studies majors meet the following programmatic goals: 

1. Communicate effectively in German for a range of purposes and across a variety of genres.
2. Demonstrate literary, medial, and intercultural fluency through analyzing various textual types (literary, cinematic, visual, multimodal) in their cultural, historical, and socio-political settings and in comparative interaction with their own cultural context .
3. Identify and appreciate the diversities of German-speaking cultures.
4. Demonstrate the ability to integrate their faith with their studies in the German language and culture and with CATC learning.

Along with specific requirements for any major, all students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs must meet all general education and graduation requirements under a single catalog.

Coordinator, Clinton S. Shaffer

Requirements for a major in German are 32 credit hours of German language and culture courses: 8-12 credits at the 100-200 level, and 20-24 credits at the 300-400 level:

A period of study abroad in a German-speaking country is required either through participation in the eight-week Wheaton in Germany program (GERM 343; GERM 496 Internship) or by completing an approved semester abroad program (at least 8 hours of which must be taken in German) with an accredited academic institution in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Semesters abroad should arranged and approved in consultation with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and the Global Programs and Studies (GPS) Department at Wheaton. (n.b. For students choosing the semester abroad option, an accompanying internship is also recommended.) Credits earned during a semester of study abroad may be applied either to a second major (with the approval of that major department), to the German major, or (upon approval) to both.