爱荷华大学

Learning Outcomes

The B.A. in German is directed toward graduates’ ability to converse effectively in German; to write coherent short texts; to interpret literary, cultural, and linguistic phenomena; and to exhibit an understanding of alternate cultural perspectives.

Interpersonal Speaking: Capacity to engage effectively in conversations in German on a range of topics, recount events and personal experiences, and produce explanations and descriptions (Intermediate High on the ACTFL scale).
Writing: Capacity to produce a cohesive piece of writing in German, such as an essay, a paper, or a narrative.
Interpretation and Analysis: Capacity to critically interpret and analyze literary texts and other cultural artifacts written in German using appropriate sources to support their arguments.
Cultural Understanding: Capacity to demonstrate understanding of alternative cultural perspectives acquired through course work, study abroad, and other cross-cultural experiences.

Overview

The department offers a comprehensive undergraduate program of study in German with emphases in the culture, literature, and language of Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland. It prepares students to use German that displays intercultural competency in fields as diverse as international business, teaching, engineering, medicine, music, museum studies, and linguistic or literary study.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in German requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 30 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. Students who plan to earn licensure to teach in elementary and/or secondary schools should see "Teacher Licensure" below.

A maximum of 15 s.h. of approved transfer credit may be counted toward the major, including study abroad course work. However, students may count up to 21 s.h. earned from the Academic Year in Freiburg program toward the major in German.

Completion of a German major ensures that students enter their professional lives as informed global citizens with a strong skill set in cross-cultural literacy. German is spoken by an estimated 126 million people, giving it the largest number of native speakers in the European Union. Germany has the third largest economy across the globe and was until recently the largest export nation in the world.

German majors also gain a greater appreciation of Iowa history by studying German immigration to the state. Course work builds strong reading, communication, and teamwork skills, which are sought by many employers. Graduates in this area of study frequently enter the teaching profession. They also find positions in government, foreign service, and commercial enterprises.