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 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 ivaluable 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 Master of Arts in German is a practical program for our graduates who plan to teach or work in a number of fields including international business, environmental studies, politics or diplomacy, or who want to pursue doctoral studies. the degree also provides a program of study for those who simply want to open themselves to new experiences.

The M.A. curriculum offers a range of perspectives including socio-cultural, historical, political, linguistic, stylistic and literary as they influenced the world. Our courses trace the development of German-speaking cultures, provide for inter-disciplinary perspectives and offer training in cultural criticism and cross-cultural communication. Students in the program have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that reflect the range of language and culture.

Our master’s program is designed to develop the teacher-scholar and to prepare those who plan to pursue more advanced studies in the field or to use the language in their profession. In addition to providing advanced studies for teachers at the high school and community college level, it also helps prepare students who plan careers in fields such as international relations, international business or the foreign service.

Career Opportunities

Many interesting professional avenues can be open to graduates. The master's program provides advanced studies for teachers in K-12 and at the community college level California estimates a need for thousands of new teachers in all fields within the next ten years. Graduates can also utilize their knowledge of the German language in a wide array of fields. Job opportunities can be found in international non-profit organizations, public international organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations, U.S. agencies with international missions, overseas companies and multinationals, museums and bi-cultural organizations, international experiential education and in U.S. companies that are expanding their operations in the European Union. You could also find work in interpreting or translation services, in travel companies or with tour operators. You could choose to continue in a doctoral program to teach on the university level.

Advisement

Academic and career advisement is provided by the department graduate adviser. Advisement takes place during the instructor’s office hours. All students must meet with the adviser within the first semester of graduate coursework to develop the study plan. No more than nine (9) units may be counted toward the Master’s degree before developing an approved study plan and applying for candidacy.

Advisors

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to begin work in the department’s graduate program must first apply for admission and declare their objective as Master of Arts in German. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and 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/.

Classified Graduate Standing

To qualify for admission to conditionally classified standing, applicants must meet the following university and departmental requirements:

a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;

minimum GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted;

good standing at the last college attended;

a major in German consisting of 30 units (or equivalent) of upper-division studies with above-average scholarship;

Modern Language (MLNG) 301 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or better.

A candidate presenting a Bachelor of Arts which has fewer than 30 units of upper-division coursework in the language, or whose background is otherwise lacking, will be required to take additional courses to build a full undergraduate major before beginning the graduate program.

Adaptations of certain admission requirements may be made for promising foreign students.

See the section of the CSUF catalog on admission of graduates for the complete statement and procedures.

Study Plan

The study plan requires 30 units of graduate study (at least 15 in 500-level courses), distributed as follows:

Core Courses (6 units)
German 500 Graduate Seminar: Advanced Structure and Style (3)
German 530 Graduate Seminar: Historical Linguistics (3)

Graduate Seminars in Literature (9-12 units)
German 571T* Graduate Seminar: German Literature (3)

Other Electives (if not taken as an under-graduate) (12-15 units)
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 and Culture in Film (3)
German 485T* Senior Seminar in German Literature (3)
German 499 Independent Study (1-3)
German 598 Thesis (3-6)
German 599 Independent Graduate Research (1-3)

Comprehensive Exams
A reading list must be completed by all students. Final evaluation is by a comprehensive written and oral examination, including advanced competency in the German language. The candidate may, with the approval of the graduate committee, repeat the examination, but once only, within two years. With the approval of the graduate committee, a student may substitute a thesis for some of the units required under “Other Electives.”

For further information, consult the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.