German Advising Guide

Introduction 

The German program at Dickinson offers students a variety of courses in German language and cultures.  Classes are small and challenging.  Our courses focus on intensive language learning and cultural study.  German language courses are taught as preparatory to the upper-level courses in German culture, which include literature, history, film and art.  After completing four semesters of language/cultural courses (GRMN 101, 102, 201, and 202) or their equivalent in sequence, we offer a number of options for continued study.   

200-level courses above German 202 introduce students to German culture with a focus on cultural forms as well as broader topics of German studies.  An overview of the study of German cultures (GRMN 210) has no prerequisites and is taught in English for those who have no previous knowledge of the German language and are curious about German-language cultures and their history.  Courses numbered in the 300s cover additional aspects of German culture, literature, history, art, and film. Special topics courses are offered on a regular basis and are taught in either German or English. 

The German major is conceived in such a way that we encourage students to explore other interests in the liberal arts in conjunction with study in our program and at the University of Bremen. 

Note: It is entirely possible to start German at Dickinson and still complete enough credits to develop a major and reach a sufficient language proficiency to spend the junior year abroad.  

Introductory courses appropriate for prospective majors

Students who studied German in high school and wish to continue with German at Dickinson must take the online German placement exam, unless they receive a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.  The department, upon having received the placement test score, will place each student in the appropriate German class and will let each student know by email where he/she has been placed.  In a few instances it may be necessary to make further adjustments in the placement of a particular student after classes have started in the fall.  Such final adjustments will be made during the first four weeks of classes.  Students who cannot take the online exam before July 1 should contact Prof. Kamaal Haque (haquek@dickinson.edu) before Thursday, August 25. 

Test scores and credits that may affect course selection 

Advanced Placement scores:  course credit and/or placement 

A student who has achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test will be granted credit for college work (GRMN 201) and will receive placement in the appropriate, more advanced German course.  For most students, this is GRMN 202. In the case that GRMN 202 is deemed inappropriate or does not fit a student’s schedule, the chair of the German department, Prof. Kamaal Haque (haquek@dickinson.edu), should be consulted. Students with grades of 1, 2, or 3 on the Advanced Placement test will not receive college credit and need to take the online German placement exam in order to be placed in the appropriate German course like all other students who wish to continue with German.   

Transfer Credits 

Students who wish to get credit for German courses taken at other colleges or universities should see the department chairperson, Prof. Kamaal Haque (haquek@dickinson.edu). Transfer students who decide to major in German at Dickinson must take at least five of their ten courses required for the major at Dickinson.  Minors must take at least three of the six courses at Dickinson.   

To begin the study of German: 

GRMN 101 and 102 (German in Everyday Life) and then continue with GRMN 201 (Contemporary German Cultures).

Note: The successful completion of GRMN 101, 102, and 201 fulfills the college language requirement. However, they do not count toward the courses required for a German major. 

It is entirely possible to start German at Dickinson and still complete enough credits to develop a major and reach a sufficient language proficiency to spend the junior year abroad.        

Intermediate courses for prospective majors 

After GRMN 201, prospective majors should take GRMN 202 (Mediated German Cultures), which constitutes the first of ten major credits. If this is impossible or not appropriate, consult with the Chair of the department, Prof. Kamaal Haque (haquek@dickinson.edu). 

After the completion of GRMN 202 students may take any course offered in German at the 200-level. A 300-level course is typically taken upon return to the Carlisle campus after the Junior Year in Bremen and has a prerequisite of the successful completion of a 200-level course in German above GRMN 202.  

The German department strongly recommends enrolling in GRMN 210 and an additional 200-level course before going to Germany for a year or for the spring semester.  

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements 

Language requirement:   

Completion at the intermediate level, GRMN 201.   

Division IA:           

GRMN 211 

Division IB:           

GRMN 300, 301, 304 

Division II:             

GRMN 340 Comparative Cultures: USA-Germany  

WR requirement: 

GRMN 202   

 For course descriptions and detailed requirements for the major refer to the College Bulletin: German.     

Co-curricular activities

Each year two German language assistants (OSAs) from the University of Bremen are actively involved with all aspects of the German program at Dickinson.  In addition to the language assistants, at least one additional exchange student from Bremen is on-campus.  The German Club sponsors several events every year together with the German department.  German films are shown regularly throughout the academic year, and a German Language Table is held weekly for students who wish to speak – or merely listen to –German while they eat. German writers, scholars, filmmakers, and actors also visit the campus every year.  Occasionally the German department hosts conferences in its Max Kade Center for German Cultural Studies. 

Independent study 

Independent study projects are an option open to self-motivated students with a desire to pursue a study topic not treated in the department’s regular class offerings.  All of the professors in the department are willing to direct independent study projects.  The independent study topics suggested to a particular professor by students should be well thought-out and should reflect students’ deep personal interest.  Most projects are taken for either half or full course credit.  Usually, each independent study student will have a weekly meeting with her or his advisor. 

Opportunities for off-campus study

Junior Year 

Qualified students are encouraged to spend two semesters abroad during the junior year.  Before arriving in Bremen for the year, students enroll in a six-week intensive language program in Germany. The Junior Year in Bremen Program is a Dickinson-affiliated program with a wide range of course and program options, including laboratory courses in the sciences. Semester study in Bremen is available for the spring semester only. Dickinson also accepts transfer credits from approved programs throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 

Possible careers and double majors

Recent German majors have pursued a wide variety of careers.  Some have gone on to graduate schools such as Johns Hopkins, George Washington, International University in Bremen, or University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.  Others have entered law or medical school.  Still others have become teachers, business executives, research scientists, librarians, etc. Recently, several of our students have successfully secured positions with American subsidiaries of German companies. 

Many students interested in German have become double majors since they have found that a German major in combination with another field (e.g. biology, international studies, physics, economics, another language, political science, etc.) may enhance their career opportunities.   

Flowchart for Placement Information
Flowchart for Those Retaking Placement Exam