Academic program

German Major

Department: German and Russian Studies

The major consists of ten courses in the German program. Required are: GER 233, at least one 300-level seminar, and and a capstone experience. German majors must take a course in German both semesters of their senior year. Students starting the major with GER 101 typically take the sequence GER 101, GER 102, GER 201, GER 202, and GER 233, before taking upper-level seminars. Students who have started their major with GER 101 and are studying abroad in a German-speaking country during the fall of their junior year may substitute an appropriate course taken abroad for GER 233. Courses on German and European history and culture taught by the faculty in the German program, as well as courses relevant to German studies offered in other departments or programs may be counted toward the major with the approval of the faculty advisor.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Advanced Placement Credit


Upon the approval of the chair, students who achieve a score of five on an Advanced Placement examination may be granted two course credits toward the major, students who achieve a score of four may apply one course credit toward the major.

Study Abroad

German majors are strongly encouraged to deepen their engagement with German language and culture through the experience of studying in a German-speaking country. The completion of four college-level German courses is typically required before commencing a study-abroad program in Germany and Austria.

Majors may count a maximum of three credits for one semester of study and five credits for two semesters of study in a recognized program toward the completion of the major.

Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor regarding course offerings before going abroad, otherwise credit toward the major is not guaranteed.

Short Term Courses
Bates’ default
Pass/Fail Policy
The use of the pass/fail option is restricted to one course within the major but may not be elected for 300-level courses.
Other Considerations

Entering students are assigned to the appropriate level in language courses according to the following criteria: their performance on the SAT II or Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in secondary school, relative proficiency based on length of previous study, and/or after consultation with an appropriate member of the department.

Incoming students with previous knowledge of German should complete the German Language Placement Questionnaire on the departmental website (https://www.bates.edu/german-russian/academics/german/language-placement/) to determine the appropriate German course to take.

Requisites

German Minor

Department: German and Russian Studies

A minor requires a minimum of seven courses in German studies. At least of the seven courses must involve the study of literature or culture, taught either in German or English, but only one class in translation may be counted toward the minor.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Advanced Placement Credit

Advanced Placement courses may not be applied toward the German minor.

Study Abroad

German minors are strongly encouraged to deepen their engagement with German language and culture through the experience of studying in a German-speaking country. The completion of four college-level German courses is typically required before commencing a study-abroad program in Germany and Austria.

Minors may count a maximum of two credits for one semester of study and three credits for two semesters of study in a recognized program toward the completion of the minor.

Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor regarding course offerings before going abroad, otherwise credit toward the minor is not guaranteed.

Short Term Courses
Bates’ Default
Pass/Fail Policy
The use of the pass/fail option is restricted to one course within the minor but may not be elected for 300-level courses.
Other Considerations

Entering students are assigned to the appropriate level in language courses according to the following criteria: their performance on the SAT II or Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in secondary school, relative proficiency based on length of previous study, and/or after consultation with an appropriate member of the department.

Incoming students with previous knowledge of German should complete the German Language Placement Questionnaire on the departmental website (https://www.bates.edu/german-russian/academics/german/language-placement/) to determine the appropriate German course to take.

Requisites

A minor requires a minimum of seven courses in German studies. At least of the seven courses must involve the study of literature or culture, taught either in German or English, but only one class in translation may be counted toward the minor.