"German Cultural Studies" Special Major

Requirements for the Special Major in German Cultural Studies
The special major in German Cultural Studies is offered through ITDS, the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies at SSU. The major offers students an interdisciplinary B.A. that incorporates language courses required for the German minor plus courses in other disciplines. It enriches students' academic and career opportunities by providing them with important skills to find employment in our increasingly interconnected world. The special major prepares students for international or cross-cultural careers in the USA or abroad that require a basic knowledge of the German language, history and culture as well as skills in cross-cultural communication. Recognizing the increasing interconnections in our global world, and Germany as one of the key players within the EU and in the international arena, the B.A. program prepares students for graduate school and careers in a field of their interest.

The special major provides students with a stimulating and supportive learning environment, as well as advising within a vibrant community of German language students. The interdisciplinary structure of the B.A. program allows students to focus on their individual interest and thus work towards individual study and career plans. Moreover, the special major assists students to graduate within a timely manner. Please review the Sample Four-Year-Plans that suggest two different pathways toward timely graduation. Plan A suggests a pathway for students who take courses at SSU and do not plan to study abroad; Plan B offers a pathway for those students who wish to study abroad for one year.

Exciting news for students who plan to study abroad
through the CSU International Programs for one year!
With careful planning, students will receive credit (up to 30 units) for their studies abroad! Their year abroad will be incorporated within the students' four year-study plan. Please review "Plan B" in the Sample Four-Year-Plans, and consult with your major advisor. We encourage studying abroad, and gaining valuable language and culture skills that are desired by an increasing number of employers in a wide array of international and German-American professional sectors here and abroad.

Goals of the ITDS special major in German Cultural Studies
The objectives of the ITDS special major in German Cultural Studies are twofold: First, the B.A. program facilitates the acquisition and improvement of German language skills in all areas of competency (speaking, reading, writing and aural comprehension, including cultural competency). Second, it connects these skills and competencies with knowledge gleaned from other disciplines, which focus the students' interests and prepares them for life after graduation from SSU. Most importantly, studying within the interdisciplinary framework helps students gain secondary important competencies and skills that are highly desired by many employers:


Potential Careers: Examples of professional fields,
in which German language and culture skills are required or useful:
Industry and Commerce (international banking; investment analysis for international corporations; bilingual/multilingual administration positions; import/export business; international retail and marketing; positions at overseas branches of US corporations or of German/Austrian/Swiss firms in the USA)
Scientific/Professional Fields (research and development of high-tech products; medicine; research in natural sciences; international law; teaching language and culture at all levels of instruction)
U.S. Government (FBI/CIA; Department of Commerce; Foreign Service;)
Arts, Media, Entertainment (foreign correspondence; publishing; film production; recording; art museum; art appraisal; art dealership)
Travel and Tourism (wine industry; hotel/restaurant industry; airlines (flight attendant; working for Lufthansa or Swiss Air in the USA); exchange program coordination; travel agency; resort/cruise ship management)
Service Careers (World Health Organization; international medicine; work as travel nurse; teaching; library service; police and detective services)
Communication & Translation (editor, producer, translator, designer, reporter, etc. in on-line & in print business; translator of written texts and simultaneous translator in specific fields)

Major Requirements
The major requirements include prerequisites, core courses, supporting courses, and elective courses. As part of the core requirement, students must also complete an internship (German culture or language experience in a professional setting) and a senior project. Additionally, German Cultural Studies majors must pass the "Goethe-Zertifikat B1"-Proficiency Examination, the internationally recognized language certificate offered annually at SSU under the auspices of the Goethe Institute.

AP Policy for German

For additional information about the ITDS special major please contact Dr. Michaela Grobbel, (707) 664-2637.