German Studies Minor

The program in German Studies is offered by the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures. The German Studies curriculum in language and culture at John Carroll prepares students to communicate effectively in German; to understand the cultural perspectives, products, and practices of the German-speaking world; to make connections between developments in German culture and trends in history, politics, and society; and to act with intercultural competence. At all course levels, students engage in active learning through proficiency-based instruction.

Students may complete a major in International Business with Language and Culture with German, or pursue a minor in German Studies. The minor complements a number of courses of study and allows students to work with faculty to design a program suited to their specific academic goals. The experiential learning component similarly links students’ course work in German to their other professional and personal interests through an independent project, internship, or thesis.

Program Learning Goals in German Studies

Students will:

1. Communicate skillfully and effectively in German:

   • engage in effective interpersonal communication.

   • engage in effective interpretive listening.

   • engage in effective interpretive reading.

   • engage in effective presentational speaking.

   • engage in effective presentational writing.

2. Demonstrate foundational cultural and linguistic knowledge of German-speaking culture:

   • demonstrate knowledge of features of the culture of German-speaking culture, such as its art, literature, music, film, popular culture, tradition, and customs.

   • demonstrate knowledge of how aspects of the history, politics, religion, or geography of German-speaking areas relate to its culture.

   • Analyze cultural texts.

3. Demonstrate emerging intercultural competence:

   • demonstrate an awareness of the interplay of personal identity and culture.

   • interpret an event, cultural product, or issue from the perspective of a worldview outside their own.

Minor Requirements

18 credit hours, beginning at any level. One approved course in a cognate area (e.g., history, political science, philosophy) or up to 3 credit hours of experiential learning may be applied to the minor.

Total Credit Hours: 18