German
Program Details
With major contributions to sustainable technologies, scientific research and development, the German language is one of the most influential languages in the world. As a student in the German major, you’ll become fluent in the German language while taking courses in German culture, politics, history, international business, philosophy, literature, the arts and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn credits while studying abroad in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Study abroad program locations include Austria, Germany (Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Lüneburg, Munich) and Switzerland, and a faculty led study abroad program in Berlin, Germany.
The Bachelor of Arts in German easily accommodates the addition of a second major or minor. Students in the German major have the option to work with Xavier's School of Education to plan an individualized curriculum that meets the requirements for language teacher licensure.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 98 percent of our students, including those in the international studies major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2021).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in German
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the German major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- German 201............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 101: English Composition............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspective............ 3cr.
- First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-Curriculum Program I............ 0cr.
Spring
- GERMAN 202............ 3cr.
- Mathematical Perspective............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspective............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspective............ 3cr.
- THEOLOGY 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-Curriculum Program II............ 0cr.
Fall
- GERMAN 300............ 3cr.
- Philosophical Perspective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Writing Intensive Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Oral Communications Elective............ 3cr.
- GERMAN 205: Literature and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
Fall
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Diversity Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- GERMAN Elective............ 3cr.
- Senior Project............ 1cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that's both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the German major at Xavier:
German Conversation (GERM 302) -A course designed for the development of speaking and listening skills through active participation by students. Discussions and activities are based on contemporary issues. This course is taught entirely in German.
German Composition (GERM 303) -The goal of this course is the development of both formal and informal writing skills within a cultural or literary framework. Types of writing include among others journal entries, letters, summaries and analyses of texts and audio materia. This course is taught entirely in German.
Advanced Business German (GERM 316) -This course offers an in-depth exposure to the spoken and written language of the German-speaking business world: formalities and conventions of business correspondence, Lebenslauf,business in the media, conference terms and codes of behavior, abbreviation usage in the corporate world, documents relating to forms of enterprises and their financing, taxes, reports on the economics of German-speaking countries, and simulations of business situations. This course is taught entirely in German.
German History and Civilization (GERM 340) -This overview of the history and culture of the German speaking world offers an introduction into the socio-political, economic and philosophical issues from 800A.D. to the present. This content based advanced German course is intended to sharpen the oral and written communication skills of the students as well as deepen their knowledge of Central European history and thought. This course is taught entirely in German.
Career Outcomes
98% of Xavier students, including those in the German major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2021).
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques and maintaining an educational, vocational and employer information resource center. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.
Student Clubs
The following clubs are popular choices for students in the German major.
German Club
Club members organize trips to area restaurants where German food is served, participate in the 'Oktoberfest Zinzinnati' Opening Parade, attend 'Volksmaersche', 'Christkindlmarkt', and other events. Club leaders support core-level students through conversation tables and tutoring. Recent programs include guided tours of Cincinnati's historically German neighborhood, Over the Rhine, and cultural events at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Citizens of the World
Students in this club organize events that showcase the different cultures at Xavier. Students get to know each other and experience new cultures, languages and customs.
Take the Next Step
Cincinnati: A City of Opportunity
Cincinnati, Ohio is ranked the #1 Best City for College Graduates (smartasset.com) and the #15 Best Place to Start a Career (WalletHub). Students take advantage of for-credit internships and employment opportunities at multiple Fortune 500 companies, private companies, nonprofit organizations and other businesses.
Teaching Licensure for German Majors
The program's flexible curriculum allows for students to easily accommodate their career goals. Students in the German major have the option to work with Xavier's School of Education to plan an individualized curriculum that meets the requirements for language teacher licensure.
Study Abroad Options for German Majors
Students travel to Germany for a semester or yearlong study abroad program. They also travel to Austria or Germany during the summer for short-term study abroad programs.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
German Major at Xavier University
The programs for majors in German, French, and Spanish offered by the Department of Modern Languages provide an opportunity for the development of proficiency in the spoken and written language, as well as a study of the literature and culture in areas where the language is spoken. Students are encouraged to combine a modern language major with a second major or a related minor. Undergraduates who wish to be licensed as teachers of French, German, or Spanish are advised to consult with the department education coordinator and with the School of Education regarding specific requirements for language teacher licensure.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."