Bachelor of Arts in German Studies

Up one level:

Majors must demonstrate basic language skills, either by completing GERLANG 1,2,3, First-Year German, or the equivalent such as an appropriate course of study at the Stanford in Berlin Center. Students then enroll in intermediate and advanced courses on literature, culture, thought, and language. Courses counted toward degree requirements must be taken for a letter grade unless that grading option is not available.

Internships—Internships in Germany are arranged through the Bing Overseas Studies Program. In addition, students may consult with the department to arrange local internships involving German language use or issues pertaining to Germany or Central Europe. Interns who prepare papers based on their experience enroll in GERLIT 298.

Extended Major in English and German Literatures—Students may enter this program with the consent of the Director of German Studies and the Chair of the Department of English. See the "Field of Study IV. Literature and Foreign Language Literature" section in the "Bachelor of Arts in English" section of this bulletin.

Multiple Majors—Students can combine a major in German Studies with a major in any other field. By choosing courses in such disciplines as history, international relations, or economics, students can prepare themselves in the area of Central Europe.

Degree Requirements—

Completion of 60 units. All classes taken towards this major must be taken for a letter grade unless the only option is C/NC. Units earned towards the Bachelor of Arts in German Studies with Honors degree may be applied to the 60 unit total.
Completion of two GERLIT courses at the 120-level
Completion of German Studies Core series:
1. GERLIT 131. Eighteenth-Century German Literature
2. GERLIT 132. Nineteenth-Century German Literature
3. GERLIT 133. Twentieth-Century German Literature
GERLIT 190. German Studies (WIM)
Remaining 33 units to be completed through elective courses approved in consultation with the Chair of Undergraduate Studies. A maximum of 27 units of GERLANG courses and/or 25 units from courses covering German material taught in other departments may be applied to these elective units. A maximum of 12 units towards the Bachelor of Arts in German Studies with Honors degree may be applied to the elective units.

GERMAN AND PHILOSOPHY

The German and Philosophy major option offers students the opportunity to combine studies in literature and philosophy. Students take most of their courses from departments specializing in the intersection of literature and philosophy. This option is not declared in Axess; it does not appear on the transcript or diploma.

The German and Philosophy major option requires a minimum of 16 courses, for a minimum total of 65 units, distributed as follows:

35 units in German Studies, including:
1. completion of two GERLIT courses at the 120-level
2. completion of German Studies Core series:
  1. GERLIT 131. Eighteenth-Century German Literature
  2. GERLIT 132. Nineteenth-Century German Literature
  3. GERLIT 133. Twentieth-Century German Literature.
3. GERLIT 190. German Studies (WIM)
GERGEN 181/PHIL 81, the gateway course in philosophy and literature, preferably in the sophomore year.
Requirements in Philosophy:
1. Prerequisite: an introductory philosophy class
2. PHIL 80. Mind, Matter, and Meaning
3. a course in the PHIL 170 series
4. a course in the PHIL 180 series
5. two courses in the history of philosophy numbered above 100
Two additional elective courses of special relevance to the study of philosophy and literature as identified by the committee in charge of the program. Students must consult with their advisers, the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, and the undergraduate adviser of the program in philosophical and literary thought.
Capstone: One of the courses must be taken in the student's senior year. When choosing courses, students must consult with their advisers, the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, and the undergraduate adviser of the program in philosophical and literary thought.
Units devoted to meeting the department's language requirement are not counted toward the 65-unit requirement.

The capstone seminar and the two related courses must be approved by both the German Studies Chair of Undergraduate Studies and the undergraduate adviser of the program in philosophical and literary thought administered through the DLCL. Substitutions, including transfer credit, are not normally permitted for items 3b, 3c, and 3d, and are not permitted under any circumstances for items 2, 3a, and 5. Up to 10 units taken in the Philosophy Department may be taken CR/NC or S/NC; the remainder must be taken for a letter grade.

HONORS

Majors with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in German courses are eligible for departmental honors. Students interested in the honors program should consult the undergraduate adviser early in their junior year. The essay topic is chosen in consultation with a faculty member of the department, and opportunities to start research projects are offered at the Stanford in Berlin Center. In addition to the requirements listed above, the student must submit a proposal for the honors essay to the German faculty by the end of Spring Quarter of the junior year. During this quarter, students may enroll for 2 units of credit in GERLIT 189B for the drafting or revision of the thesis proposal. In Autumn Quarter of the senior year, the student must enroll in DLCL 189, a 5-unit seminar that focuses on researching and writing the honors thesis. Students then enroll for 5 units of credit in GERLIT 189A while composing the thesis during Winter Quarter. Students who did not enroll in 189B in the junior year may enroll in GERLIT 189B in Spring Quarter of the senior year while revising the thesis, if approved by the thesis supervisor. A total of 10-12 units are awarded for completion of honors course work, independent study, and the finished thesis.

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