German Studies Major - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

(All colleges excluding teacher certification programs) 

33 credits above GER 201

GER 202German Language and Cultures in Action II3
Select one of the following in literature:3
GER 301
An Introduction to German Literature
GER 403
Studies of German Literature
Select one of the following in civilization:3
GER 320
German Civilization: 1870-Reunification
GER 321
German Civilization: 1989-Present
Select two of the following in German skills development:6
GER 300
Advanced German
GER 311
German Conversation and Composition
GER 313
German Grammar and Composition
GER 330
German Conversation and Phonetics
Advanced electives: select 12 credits of electives in German at the 300/400 level. 112
German studies breadth: select two approved courses in which a significant portion of the course relates to one or more countries in the German-speaking world. These courses may be taught in English.6
GER 398
German Thinkers and Popular Culture (highly recommended)
GER 399
German Literature in Translation (highly recommended)
ANT 196
Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
HIS 314
The Holocaust
HIS 323
The World War II Era
HIS 346
The Middle Ages
HIS 352
Germany: 1848-1989
POL 338
European Government and Politics
POL 355
Political Ideologies
ENG 331
Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words
ENG 356
European Literature in Translation
Total Credits33
1

Excluding GER 398 and GER 399. A maximum of six credits from GER 326, GER 327 and/or GER 328.

It is highly recommended that students complete an approved work or study experience in a German-speaking country.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:

A. Language track
  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    ARA 202
    		Intermediate Arabic II
    CHI 202
    		Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
    FRE 202
    		French Language and Cultures in Action II
    GCL 202
    		Intermediate Languages II
    GER 202
    		German Language and Cultures in Action II
    HMG 204
    		Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate
    HMG 304
    		Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced
    JPN 202
    		Intermediate Japanese II
    RUS 202
    		Russian Language and Cultures in Action II
    SPA 202
    		Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II
    or SPA 221
    		 Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions
    Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student.
  2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or

  3. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:

    1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or

    2. 300/400 level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GER 2023GER 301 or 4033
Gen Ed Self & Society3FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
Gen Ed Math4Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4
Gen Ed Arts2Gen Ed Arts2
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GER 300, 311, 313, or 330 (GER Major German Skills Development)13GER 300, 311, 313, or 330 (GER Major German Skills Development)13
GER 399 (Gen Ed Humanistic Studies)3Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
University Elective23GER 320 or 321 (German Civilization)3
Minor Course3University Elective3
Gen Ed World History3Minor Course3
 15 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GER Advanced Elective (300/400)3GER Advanced Elective (300/400)3
GER Studies Breadth (see list)3Gen Ed Global Studies3
University Elective3University Elective3
CASSH Core Course3Minor Course3
Minor Course3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 15 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GER Advanced Elective (300/400)3GER Advanced Elective (300/400)3
GER Studies Breadth (see list)3Minor Course3
University Elective3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
Minor Course3University Elective3
CASSH Core Course3CASSH Core Course3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

It is highly recommended students complete an approved work or study experience in a German-speaking country. After returning, students are required to complete at least one GER course from UWL. See your German Studies Advisor for details.

1

Prerequisite: GER 202 German Language and Cultures in Action II (3 cr.) or equivalent, or appropriate departmental placement. If student is placed into a 300-level German Studies course, they must earn retro credit in order to satisfy General Education and the CASSH B.A. Core language requirements.

2

Must be taken from the Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems category if GER 202 retro credit was not earned.