Why study German?
German is spoken in several countries: The Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Northern Italy (South Tyrol), Namibia, and in ethnic enclaves throughout Eastern Europe. More Europeans are native speakers of German (about 93 million) than of English, French, Italian (about 60 million each) or Spanish (36 million). In Western Europe, it is second only to English as the language of diplomacy, business, and tourism, and is the most important language in the East. Germany ranks in the top three in the world in GNP, publishing, and exports. The German speaking world has made many contributions to culture in the fields of literature, philosophy, the arts, science and medicine. Study of the German language opens access to these achievements.
Graduates of our program have gone on to varied careers in international business, international law, government service, medicine, law, education, journalism, agribusiness, computer language development, and the sciences. Students choosing some of these options have combined their German major with other undergraduate majors or degrees.
Department Activities
Students have many opportunities to use their German outside the classroom. The German Club offers informal contacts with other students in German as well as German exchange students on campus through activities such as movies, forums, and social gatherings. Faculty and students have the opportunity to meet at a local coffee shop frequently during the semester to speak German in an informal setting. For information on how you can get involved in the German Club contact either Lisa Mertz (lmertz@ksu.edu) or Jay Aber (aberjay@ksu.edu).
Scholarships
The department has, through the generosity of alumni and friends, several endowed scholarships for students majoring in the Department of Modern Languages. Scholarships are available at all undergraduate levels beginning with incoming students. Modern Language majors may also apply for financial aid from the Department for study abroad.
There are also several other scholarships to study abroad, available outside the Department of Modern Languages, such as DAAD, and the Congress-Bundestag youth programs.
The Minor
Requirements: 20 hours of German courses in the 200 level and above, including at least one literature course. For most students, Introduction to German Literature (GRMN 521 or 522) will fulfill the requirement.
Note: The courses GRMN 503 (German Literature in Translation) and GRMN 524 and 525 (German for Reading Knowledge I and II) do not count toward the minor.
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GRMN521. Introduction to German Literature I. (3) Literary movements of the nineteenth century are introduced through the reading and discussion of texts in various forms and by representative authors. Pr.: GRMN 223 or equiv.
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GRMN522. Introduction to German Literature II. (3) Discussion of significant works of twentieth-century prose, poetry, and drama. Special emphasis is placed on the literature of recent decades. Pr.: GRMN 223 or equiv.
Make sure to read the general procedures to obtain a minor carefully. If you need further information regarding you coursework for the German minor, please contact Dr. Derek Hillard at dhillard@ksu.edu.
The Major
Students wishing to major in German should enroll for the Bachelor of Arts degree. A faculty member will serve as academic advisor to each German major, helping him or her select courses that satisfy degree requirements and address personal interests.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, the German major must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours above German II (GRMN 122). These thirty credit hours must include the courses GRMN 521 (Introduction to German Literature I) and GRMN 522 (Introduction to German Literature II), courses dealing with representative authors of major authors from the various movements in German literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, respectively. Students must also choose at least three literature courses at the 700 level. The courses GRMN 503 (German Literature in Translation) and GRMN 524 and 525 (German for Reading Knowledge I and II) do not count toward the major. At least one 700 level course must be taken on campus.
The dual major or dual degree plan is an attractive option for many students. In essence, the student must complete at least one hundred twenty credit hours, including all the requirements for each major or degree. With careful planning, a student can complete two or even three fields without extending the time required for an undergraduate degree. Seniors may, under certain circumstances, begin graduate study.
NEW: Check your progress with the German
Major Checklist
Major option "with distinction"
The department also offers a major option "with distinction". Students
seeking this option must maintain a 3.5 GPA in all courses taken toward
the major while they fulfill the requirements.
Requirements: 38 hours; in addition to
the regular major, two additional courses, one of which must be at the 700 level.
M.A. in Literature
The program is designed to help the student attain a high level of proficiency in all aspects of the language; how to read, analyze, interpret, and discuss in an intelligent manner a wide selection of works in German; and to synthesize the material read into an accurate and coherent picture of the German literary and cultural developments. Selected classes are available in the afternoon or evening and during the summer. This degree is recommended for those students who wish to teach at the secondary level or to continue graduate work elsewhere with the intention of teaching at the secondary or university level, or for students who prefer to develop their skills in language and literature in preparation for other careers.
In the literature option students may choose to complete the degree with a minimum of 24 hours of graduate courses and a thesis (typically 60-80 pages in length), or they may complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate course work including such evidence of scholarly effort as term papers.
How to apply? Reading List
M.A. in Language Acquisition
This unique M.A. program is specifically designed to meet the needs of practicing and potential language teachers at the secondary level.
The program
integrates the teaching of language, culture, and literature at all curriculum
levels. Distance learning courses are offered during the afternoon or evening for practicing teachers.
The program is designed to:
1) Strengthen the language skills and cultural awareness
of practicing teachers
2) Develop new patterns and techniques of teacher preparation
and teacher/student interaction in the target language
3) Narrow the traditional gap in graduate study between
the methods of teaching and the content areas of literature and culture
4) Encourage the professional development of the field
5) Allow practicing teachers to complete graduate studies
within a reasonable time (two to three years)
M.A. in Language Acquisition Degree Requirement:
With approval of the MA committee, each student would choose one of the following options:
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30 hours of course work
- 27 hours of course work and a master’s report (3 credit hours for development of teaching unit or portfolio)
- 24 hours of course work and a master’s thesis (6 credit hours for original research)*
Coursework:
Candidate’s committee must approve program of study (chosen electives, substitute course for courses not offered during student’s tenure, etc.)
How to apply? Reading List
M.A. in Language Acquisition Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning
The Department of Modern Languages at Kansas State University
has developed a unique M.A. program specifically designed to meet the needs
of practicing and potential language teachers at the secondary level. The program
integrates the teaching of language, culture, and literature at all curriculum
levels. Distance learning courses are offered during the afternoon or evening for practicing teachers.
This program is intended for practicing and aspiring foreign language teachers, to offer them a Master’s degree in Language Acquisition in French with a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from the Department of Secondary Education which gives our graduates a K-12 licensure from the State of Kansas Department of Education.
The program is designed to:
1) Strengthen the language skills and cultural awareness
of practicing teachers
2) Develop new patterns and techniques of teacher preparation
and teacher/student interaction in the target language
3) Narrow the traditional gap in graduate study between
the methods of teaching and the content areas of literature and culture
4) Encourage the professional development of the field
5) Allow practicing teachers to complete graduate studies
within a reasonable time (two to three years)
| Classes in Modern Languages (18 hours) |
Classes in Education (18 hours) |
MLANG 710 (3) Intro to FL Pedagogy
MLANG 770 (3) Intro to 2nd Lang Acquisition*
GRMN 740 (3) Cult/Lit in Second Language Learning
GRMN 731 Advanced Spoken and Written German (3)
Two 700 level literature courses (6)
|
FSHS 506 Middle Childhood & Adolescence (3)
EDSEC 500 Secondary Content Methods (3)1
EDSEC 520 Block II Lab: Field
EDSEP 525 Interpersonal Relations (1)
EDSP 710 Education of Exceptional Individuals (3)
EDEL 620 FL Methods for Elementary Schools (3)
EDCI 991 Internship, taken with EDEL 620 (1)
EDCI 886 History of American Education (3)
EDCI 992 Internship (Field Experience) (4) |
*For candidates who have no previous secondary-level teaching experience, EDSEC 500 and 520 are required. For those with secondary teaching experience, Spanish candidates may take either MLANG 770 or SPAN 778 as a substitute for EDSEC 500 and 520.
How to apply?
Sample List of Electives (3 - 6 hours)
This is a sample list of courses that will fulfill elective
requirements. Speak with your committee about other possibilities.
LING 600
ANTH 600
ART 545
ART 550
ART 612
ART 642
ENGL 515
HIST 533
HIST 560
HIST 562
HIST 583
HIST 584
HIST 585
HIST 587
HIST 588
HIST 589
HIST 589
HIST 595
PSYCH 650
MLANG 7 |
Principles of Linguistics
Cultural Dynamics
Twentieth Century Art History I
Twentieth Century Art History II
Renaissance Art History
Baroque Art History
Nineteenth Century Art History
Literature and Society
Topics in the History of the Americas
Latin American Nations
Modern Mexico
History of France, 1400 - 1715
History of France, 1715 - present
Topics in French History
Modern Germany, 1789-1914
Modern Germany, 1914-1945
Topics in German History
Modern European Culture
Psychology of Language
Modern Languages 700 -level course |
German Online News
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