German Studies

A knowledge of German grants access not just to rich literary, philosophical, and artistic traditions but also to many other kinds of contemporary cultural, economic, political, and scientific developments.

A major or a minor in German Studies is like any other concentration in a liberal arts setting: it serves to broaden a student's horizons and acumen, rather than to provide vocational training. Even those students who engage in post-graduate study in Germany may or may not follow a career path that directly makes use of the knowledge they gain there. The study of German does of course include competence in the language, and this ability has frequently opened doors for alumni: approximately 150 of them live in the German-speaking countries, and even more use their knowledge of German language and culture in their occupations. Nevertheless, as is true of any major within a liberal arts context, German Studies primarily intends to give students a critical understanding of a particular academic area. It should also be pointed out that many students complete a second major in another subject, as well.

At the same time, however, a concentration in German Studies does offer some unusual features. Students not only explore an extraordinarily rich cultural tradition, one that has thoroughly influenced almost every other field of study, but they do so in a very individual and personal setting. The department's small size encourages close relationships between students and faculty, as do the programs in Berlin, which normally form a part of a student's course of study. The Kade German Center, the German Club, and the various internship opportunities in Germany are also part of the mix.

Requirements for the Major

Prerequisite : Two of the following: GERM 6 or GERM 10.0; GERM 10.1, GERM 10.2, and GERM 10.3; or permission of the Chair. Students majoring in German Studies design an individual program in consultation with a departmental adviser.

The Department of German Studies offers three routes to the major:

1. Major A focuses on literary and non-literary texts in their historical and intellectual contexts, comprising courses offered by the Department of German Studies. With permission of the Chair, one appropriate course in another department or program may be substituted.

Requirements : eight courses numbered above 13 (GERM 42-47, which are in English translation, require additional work in German), three of which normally come from participation in the Foreign Study Program in Berlin (GERM 29, GERM 30, and GERM 31). All majors must take the upper-division seminar offered in the winter term of their senior year (normally a GERM 60s course). At the end of their senior winter term, all majors will give a presentation based on their work done for this seminar.

2. Major B combines resources of the Department of German Studies with a coherent selection of those of other departments and programs, such as Art History, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, Geography, Government, History, Music, Philosophy, and Religion. In principle, any relevant course in the Dartmouth curriculum that is approved by the Department of German Studies may qualify for this major.

Requirements : six courses in the German Studies Department numbered above 13 (GERM 42-47, which are in English translation, require additional work in German), three of which normally come from participation in the Foreign Study Program in Berlin (GERM 29, GERM 30, and GERM 31); four advanced courses from among those offerings in other departments or programs that deal substantially with the culture of German-speaking countries. All majors must take the upper-division seminar offered in the winter term of their senior year (normally a GERM 60s course). At the end of their senior winter term, all majors will give a presentation based on their work done for this seminar.

3. Modified Major combines German Studies with another discipline in a coherent program of study. This major is designed individually by the student with a departmental adviser. It may include participation in the Foreign Study Program in Berlin.

Requirements : six courses numbered above 13 (GERM 42-47, which are in English translation, require additional work in German); four courses beyond the introductory level in another department or program of the College and approved by the Chair of the Department of German Studies. All majors must take the upper-division seminar offered in the winter term of their senior year (normally a GERM 60s course). At the end of their senior winter term, all majors will give a presentation based on their work done for this seminar.

Requirements for the Minor

Minor : The Department of German Studies offers a minor with the following prerequisites: GERM 1, GERM 2, GERM 3, or permission of the Chair. In addition, the minor requires two intermediate courses (GERM 6, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) and four advanced courses above GERM 13 (GERM 42-47, which are in English translation, require additional work in German.) One of these advanced courses may be replaced with an appropriate advanced course in another department or program. Students who wish to declare a minor must do so no later than the fall term of their senior year.

1.       SAT Reasoning or ACT (with Writing);

2.       2 SAT Subject Test Scores;

3.       The common application essay;

4.       Within the Common Application, Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write a brief response to one of the following supplemental essay prompts. Candidates choose one topic and respond;

5.       A counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. In addition, a peer recommendation is strongly encouraged;

6.       Resume;

7.       Brief abstract of an independent research project;

8.       IELTS or TOEFL (no minimum scores).

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