German
Degree
Bachelor of Arts | College of Arts and Science
What is German?
Unification has underscored the political, economic, and cultural importance of Germany. German has become the second most popular language after English in much of Europe. Germans have also been one of the largest ethnic groups among American immigrants. Students of German, therefore, not only learn about another people; they gain new insights and perspectives on our own history, society, and culture.
German majors select courses in language skills, literature, and culture. A flexible program of related courses enables you to complete a major both in German and in a second field. Many students choose international studies, political science, or diplomacy and foreign affairs. Business minors are very popular with our students. Advanced German classes are kept small to provide personal attention.
What are the features of Miami's program?
Live in the culture
You can experience the culture of Germany on the German language corridor of Wells residence hall, where you can improve your conversational German, watch international television from Germany via satellite, read German periodicals, and help host the annual Oktoberfest Karneval.
Study abroad
German majors are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities to study abroad. An annual summer program of intensive language study in Heidelberg and Berlin is organized by the Department of German, Russian, and East Asian Languages. Each year, about four or five students elect to spend an entire year at a German or Austrian university while earning credit toward a Miami degree. For example, Miami has an ongoing exchange agreement with the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.
Conduct research
You have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a professor, either on your own research project with input from a professor or on a professor's research. And you earn a special notation, Departmental Honors, when you successfully complete the project.
Receive certification
Miami's program has had very good success in preparing students for the International Business German Examination. In recent years, up to four percent of all students in the United States who passed and received certification were from Miami.
Modern facilities
German classes and the language lab are located in newly renovated and air-conditioned Irvin Hall. It has an impressive variety of technical aids for your independent study. In the individual station area, each of the 40 booths has a monitor, VCR, and cassette player so you can work on your oral comprehension and pronunciation, watch a foreign language film, or view a news broadcast from a foreign television station via SCOLA. Lab managers can assist you by taping broadcasts, translating tapes from other formats into ones usable in the lab, and guiding your use of the language word processing programs.
Communicate internationally
You can view important events from around the world on SCOLA (Satellite Communications for Learning), the international news programming network which is part of Miami's academic cable television system. You also have access to international e-mail networks and bulletin boards through Netscape.
Expand your career options
The foreign language majors at Miami are designed to allow you to complete a second major within four years. This broadens your education as well as your career possibilities.
Are there special admission requirements?
There are no additional admission requirements for this program.
What courses would I take?
In addition to Global Miami Plan Foundation classes, you are required to complete 27 semester hours in order to complete the major. Classes include Passionate Friendships in German Literature, German for Business and Linguistic Perspectives in Contemporary German.
What can I do with this major?
Recent graduates are working as industry sales assistants, marketing and government agency specialists, bankers, lawyers, teachers, and airline personnel. Others are attending graduate school in a variety of study areas.
Like other liberal arts backgrounds, a major in foreign language and literature serves as a good base for careers in fields where broad educational experience is more important than a strictly vocational major. Combining language knowledge with other skills can lead to positions in such diverse areas as journalism, business, tourism, government service, and the armed forces. A second major or minor are options many language students choose to help achieve their career goals.
Some job titles directly related to foreign language study are interpreter, travel agent, foreign correspondent, translator, librarian, immigration inspector, radio announcer, Peace Corps member, international public relations specialist, and international market researcher.
Many language majors take advantage of our teacher certification program and work in public and private schools. An undergraduate degree in a foreign language is a solid foundation for graduate work in international business, law, diplomacy, library science, or more specialized study in language.
Who can I contact for more information?
Department of German, Russian, and East Asian Languages
172 Irvin Hall
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-2526
http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/greal
