German Studies, BA

The program emphasizes language fluency and cultural competency at all levels of study. A flexible curriculum and individualized advising allow majors to develop a program of study and explore personal interests in other humanities disciplines or beyond, such as the social sciences, business, natural sciences, engineering, and more. The program focuses on culture in the broadest sense and approaches literature, language, visual arts, history, and philosophy in an interdisciplinary manner through the lens of German studies. Students in German studies develop an awareness of the cultural context of the German language in its various forms as well as an understanding of the German contribution to culture, the history of ideas, and the development of academic and professional disciplines.

Students must consult a faculty advisor to develop an individualized course program in German studies. The program strongly encourages German studies majors to study abroad in a German-speaking country.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Requirements for German Studies Major

Students must complete (40 credits) for the German Studies major, with the following requirements:

• German courses GERM102 or below may not count toward the major
• At least 20 credits must be taken at the upper-level.
• At least four credits of coursework must be taken in the German language above GERM 306 (excludes language sequence)
• 12 credits of coursework must be taken in German literature and culture (excludes language sequence)

Language placement completed by:

• GERM 306 Texts and Contexts II OR Exam administered by Department

Language Requirements

Students may be placed into one of the following:

Elementary German Language Placement

• GERM 101 Elementary German I AND GERM 102 Elementary German II

Note: Depending on prior exposure to the language, introductory German courses may be required prerequisites for the major. If placed in these GERM courses, they will not count toward the major credit total. Intermediate and advanced level courses must also be completed in order to achieve requirement proviciency level for the major.

Intermediate German Language Placement

• GERM 203 Intermediate German I AND Intermediate German II

Note: If placed in the intermediate level, advanced-level courses must also be completed in order to achieve the required proficiency level for the major.

Advanced German Language Placement

• GERM 305 Texts and Contexts I
• GERM 306 Texts and Contexts II

Additional Information About the Program

• GERM 221, GERM 222, and the teaching practicum (GERM 491) may be counted only once toward fulfilling the major requirements.
• Credits for courses taken abroad may be counted toward the major with the permission of the departmental advisor. Upon return from education abroad, majors are expected to take at least one additional advanced German studies course in residence.
• NOTE: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.
• Residency Requirement: Completion of the German studies major and the German studies double major requires that students take at least 20 credits of coursework while in residence in Binghamton or as part of study abroad with the German studies program’s partner universities in Graz, Austria, or Leipzig, Germany.

For more information on the German Studies BA program, please refer to the German and Russian Studies website. To apply to the German Studies BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.