German BA Concentrations - Department of Germanic & Slavic Languages and Literatures

Majoring in German

German majors have two concentrations to choose from: the original German-language focused German Literature and Culture track and the interdisciplinary Media, Arts and Culture track. For a convenient overview of the two majors and their respective requirements, download GSLL’s German major/minor brochure.

1. German Literature and Culture BA

See the full requirements for the major

The concentration in German literature and culture provides a rich program of courses tailored to majors and double-majors who wish to become culturally and linguistically fluent in German.

Core Requirements

A minimum of eight German courses (24 credit hours) beyond GERM 206. Five courses (15 credit hours) must be conducted in German (all 300-level courses are conducted in German).
GERM 301, 302, and 303.
Five additional courses beyond GERM 206 selected by the student in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.

Additional Requirements

Students must establish credit for GERM 204 (or GERM 206) as a prerequisite for a German major concentration. Students who desire to pursue a major in a German concentration should have a grade of B or better in GERM 203 and GERM 204 (or in GERM 206)./li>
Three German LAC credit hours may be used as a substitute for one three-hour course taught in German for the major.
Dutch language courses (DTCH 402, 403, and 404) may not count toward the German major. However, DTCH 396 and 405 may be counted toward the German major as courses taught in the target language (i.e., not in English).
At least four courses (12 credit hours) beyond GERM 206 must be taken at UNC–Chapel Hill to fulfill the requirements of the major. Majors who study abroad or wish to transfer credit from another institution may apply to transfer a maximum of four courses counting toward the major. Before their departure for a study abroad program, students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies about appropriate courses taken abroad for the major.
GERM courses numbered above 399, or GSLL courses numbered above 200, may count toward the major with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, who will note whether the course is taught in English or in German.

Note: Topics courses may be repeated for credit toward the major or minor.

2. German Media, Arts and Culture BA

See the full requirements for the major

This concentration replaced the German Studies concentration effective Fall 2015. The German Media, Arts and Culture concentration is best suited to students interested in interdisciplinary work, including literature, culture, and media, but also relating to German history, politics, and/or nonliterary aspects of German culture. This concentration therefore allows students to count more extra-departmental courses toward the degree.

Core Requirements

A minimum of eight courses (24 credit hours), four of which must be taught in German (all 300-level GERM courses are conducted in German).
GERM 301, 302, and 303
Two GERM courses focusing on media, arts, or culture, numbered above 206 and below 400 (excluding 301–305, 388, 389, and 396). Students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies to focus their choice of courses on a particular interest.
Three elective courses selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies from the following lists. Students may also petition the director of undergraduate studies for approval of other suitable courses to count toward this requirement. The following courses have been approved to fulfill this requirement (some require additional enrollment in GERM 389, a one-credit Language across the Curriculum recitation, as noted): Any GERM course numbered beyond GERM 206, ARTH 272, 274, 275, 284, 365, 454, 455, 471, 472; COMM 412, 413; CMPL 143, 270, 375, 411, 458, 460, 468, 470; CMPL/GERM 279; CMPL 270/GERM 270/JWST 239/RELI 239; EURO/HIST 252; GERM/SLAV 251; GERM/WMST 220, 250; GSLL 260, 284; HIST 458, 460, 461, 462, 463, 466; HIST/JWST 308; HIST/JWST/PWAD 262; HIST/POLI/SOCI 257; HIST/PWAD 251; HIST/RELI 454; MUSC 282, 283, 284; PHIL 224, 229, 423, 427, 471; RELI 522
Students may petition the director of undergraduate studies to include other courses with significant German content.

Additional Requirements

Students must establish credit for GERM 204 (or GERM 206) as a prerequisite for a German major concentration. Students who desire to pursue a major in a German concentration should have a grade of B or better in GERM 203 and GERM 204 (or in GERM 206).
Three German LAC credit hours may be used as a substitute for one three-hour course taught in German for the major.
Dutch language courses (DTCH 402, 403, and 404) may not count toward the German major. However, DTCH 396 and 405 may be counted toward the German major as courses taught in the target language (i.e., not in English).

Note: Topics courses may be repeated for credit toward the major or minor.