German plays an important role in today's world as the native language of more than 100 million people and an international medium of commerce, science, travel and publishing. The economic performance of German-speaking countries, the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, is important to both Europe and the rest of the world. Germany is a top investor in the United States and the largest member of the European Union, which will gain global influence with its common currency, the Euro. German contributions in music, philosophy, natural sciences, literature and the visual arts have enriched the world's cultural life. Since the first German settlers in 1683, German Americans from Babe Ruth to Albert Einstein have helped form our heritage. At least one in five Americans have German-speaking ancestors.

Career Opportunities

German language skills help students become more marketable. These skills apply directly to teaching, translating and related areas such publishing, media, and travel and tourism. Combining the German language and culture with other training provides even more possibilities including government service, business and banking, communications, science and technology, music and fine arts. Education-related jobs are also available. Graduates work as career counselors, language laboratory directors, translators, interpreters, congressional interns, foreign service officers and political advocates. Graduates may take positions with international businesses or law firms, while others work in European electronic and automotive product sales. Some graduates further their education by pursuing advanced degrees.

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Curriculum

The curriculum promotes active use of German as students move from elementary to advanced levels in three main areas: language, culture and literature. The core language sequence is Elementary Language and Culture I and II, Composition and Conversation, and Stylistics, Syntax and Structure of German. A reading and translation sequence enables students to apply German in specialties such as international studies, business and the sciences. A drama workshop, linguistics and business German (offered in Salzburg, Austria) improve language skills. Culture courses explore society in German-speaking countries and their past and present contributions to art, philosophy, music, film, and science. Literature courses teach reading skills and cover important creative works. The flexible German program meets the needs of majors and minors as well as those who simply want to learn the language. Students with high school German can place out of some courses and achieve a major or minor quickly. Students who wish to teach German earn a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in German.

Study Abroad and Other Opportunities

The department sponsors the University's respected Academic Year Abroad in Salzburg, Austria. The program is open to all students with four semesters of college German and carries a fully year's academic credit. A BGSU faculty member supervises, courses are taught in German and students live with Austrians in dormitories. Qualified music students may attend the Mozarteum, Salzburg's well-known conservatory. An exchange program with a number of German universities enables two or three students a year to study with full scholarships. Extracurricular activities include the German Club and International Film Series. German and Austrian exchange students provide opportunities to use German casually on campus. Each year the Max Kade foundation helps bring a German speaking writer, scholar or artist to teach at BGSU.

High School Preparation

High school students who took German should participate in a placement interview at BGSU. Usually, two to three years of high school German equals one year at college and three to four years equals two. Students who want to pursue German studies should take as much German as possible. Students with a strong background are frequently able to complete a double major. Students should follow a college preparatory curriculum that includes four units (credits) of English, three units of college preparatory mathematics, three units of science, three units of social studies, two units of the same foreign language and one unit of the visual or performing arts. Students who have not taken all these recommended courses may be required to make up any deficiencies.

Why Study German?

Studying German at Bowling Green provides undergraduate students insight into some of the oldest and richest cultural traditions in Europe. It also gives students a firm grasp on the leading European economies. Spoken in the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, German is the most frequently used language in business and tourism after English. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, German has also become the most important foreign language in Eastern Europe.

The curriculum in German is designed to provide students with a wide range of courses that will prepare students for careers in a variety of fields. Students have the opportunity to develop their speaking, reading, writing and listening skills in German in a series of language, culture, literature and film courses. Bowling Green German majors have pursued careers in international business and politics, literature, journalism, art, education, law, history, medicine, the sciences, music and film.

German majors and minors are also encouraged to spend at least one year abroad on our academic year abroad program at the University of Salzburg/Austria or through the Federation of German-American Club Exchange Scholarship in Germany. The Bowling Green State University Academic Year in Salzburg, Austria is designed to help American students perfect language skills in German and gain first-hand knowledge of the culture of German-speaking countries while earning academic credit in a variety of subject areas.