Introduction

The department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a wide range of of programs in language study to meet the varying needs of today's students. The ability to communicate effectively is essential for success-oriented graduates, and acquiring the competence to communicate in a language other than English can often provide a competitive edge in today's global economy.

Communicating effectively in a second language is more than the acquisition of language skills. Students also gain insight into another culture which often provides in valuable perspectives and greater sense of appreciation for alternate ways of life and thought. The department views language, culture and literature as integrally related facets of communication that help us achieve a better understanding of ourselves and others in the rapidly changing world we live in.

The study of a foreign language and culture, as with other humanities and social sciences disciplines, fosters scholarship and values, social responsibility, free and critical inquiry, empirical analysis, and leadership skills. Together, these elements prepare students for intellectually rewarding lives, responsible citizenship, and a wide variety of careers by developing critical thinking, clear writing, problem solving skills, and a heightened understanding of the human condition.

Goals:

1. Language: students communicate at an ACTFL advanced level in culturally-appropriate ways using oral and written formats in a variety of social and professional circumstances.

2. Culture: students acquire a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking history as well as modern culture and society in its various aspects, from daily life to general socio-economic and institutional structures.   Students are able to demonstrate the connection between the perspectives of the culture and its practices and products.   

3. Linguistics: students gain knowledge in the structure of the German language as well as current issues in German linguistics, and develop comparative analyses of the German and English.

4. Literature: students gain knowledge of the major German literary movements while situating them in their socio-historical contexts. They develop a greater appreciation of German-speaking literature and culture as well as the analytical tools to produce informed and critical readings of literary texts.

Career Opportunities

Today’s German major has more career options than ever before. Large numbers of teachers will be retiring in the coming years in Southern California. Because of renewed interest in foreign languages and cultures, as well as revised entrance requirements (2 years minimum for both the California State University and the University of California), schools and colleges are expanding their program offerings, thus providing increased opportunities in teaching at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. In addition to the field of teaching, the business world is interested in practical applications of languages and cultures for its growing foreign markets.

Advisement

Academic and career advisement is provided by departmental faculty members. Each student majoring or minoring in German, or who has a concentration in German for the B.A. in International Business, is assigned a faculty adviser. Advisement takes place during the instructor’s office hours or by appointment. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisers at least once a semester.

Advisors

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to begin work in the department's undergraduate program must first apply for admission with in the appropriate filing period to CSU Fullerton and declare their objective as Bachelor of Arts in German. Application may be obtained from the Office of Admissions & Records at any California State University campus. An electronic version of the CSU application is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/.

Placement

Students should enroll at that point in the sequence of courses for which their previous study and/or experience prepares them. Students with no language background should enroll in fundamental 101-level courses. Normally, two years of high school language study are considered to be equivalent to one year of college language. Students just completing two years of high school language should begin at 200-level intermediate courses. A minimum of four years of high school language, or its equivalent, is considered a prerequisite for more advanced 300-level major work.

Courses at the 101-level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or one term of college study in that language, unless such study was completed three years or more before entering the class. Courses at the 102-level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or two terms of college study in that language, unless such study was completed two years or more before entering the class.

Due to the sequential nature of language instruction, consultation with an adviser in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is essential before enrolling in a course.

Bachelor of Arts in German

The Bachelor of Arts in German consists of 30 units of upper-division German course work, plus the required 3-unit upper-division English writing course, Foreign Language FLNG 301. Prior to undertaking upper-division work, the German major will have completed the following lower-division courses or their equivalents:

Basic Requirements (20 units)
Each of the following courses or their equivalent:
German 101 Fundamental German-A (5)
German 102 Fundamental German-B (5)
German 203 Intermediate German-A (3)
German 204 Intermediate German-B (3)
German 213 Intermediate Reading-A (2)
German 214 Intermediate Reading-B (2)

Upper-Division Requirements (a total of 33 units)
18 units required as listed below:
Modern Language 301 Writing in an Intercultural Context (3)
German 305 Advanced Conversation and Composition (3)
German 315 Introduction to German Civilization (3)
German 325 Current Trends in Culture of German-Speaking Peoples (3)
German 335 Introduction to Literature (3)
German 399 German Phonetics (3)
Plus, in consultation with an adviser, choose three of the following literature courses (9 units required):
German 430 German Literature and Culture to the Baroque (3)
German 450 19th-Century German Literature and Culture (3)
German 460 20th-Century German Literature and Culture (3)
German 482 German Literature & Culture in Film (3)
Plus, in consultation with an adviser, choose two courses from the following (6 units required):
German 300 German Conversation (3)
German 310 German in the Business World (3)
German 311 German for International Business (3)
German 400 Advanced Conversation Practice and Vocabulary Expansion (3)
German 405 Advanced Writing and Speaking (3)
German 466 Introduction to German Linguistics (3)
German 485T Senior Seminar in German Literature (3)

Minor in German

Basic Requirements (20 units)
Each of the following courses or their equivalent:
German 101 Fundamental German-A (5)
German 102 Fundamental German-B (5)
German 203 Intermediate German-A (3)
German 204 Intermediate German-B (3)
German 213 Intermediate Reading-A (2)
German 214 Intermediate Reading-B (2)

Upper-Division Requirements (12 units)
Six units required from this section:
German 305 Advanced Conversation & Composition (3)
German 315 Introduction to German Civilization (3)
OR German 325 Current Trends in Culture of German-Speaking Peoples (3)
In consultation with an adviser, choose two additional courses from the following (6 units required):
German 300 German Conversation (3)
German 310 German in the Business World (3)
German 311 German for International Business (3)
German 315 Introduction to German Civilization (3)
German 325 Current Trends in Culture of German-Speaking Peoples (3)
German 335 Introduction to Literature (3)
German 399 German Phonetics (3)
German 400 Advanced Conversation Practice and Vocabulary Expansion (3)
German 405 Advanced Writing and Speaking (3)
German 466 Introduction to German Linguistics (3)
German 485T Senior Seminar in German Literature (3)