German is the third most studied foreign language in the world, and, at UWM, we offer more than just instruction in language. In addition to German fluency, students learn how to apply that fluency by studying German culture, literature, customs, and history.
Wisconsin has a strong German heritage and many students find it both professionally useful and personally satisfying to explore the State's German influences. Many may come into college having already taken German in high school. Students can take a placement test to determine their starting course and may be able to earn retroactive credits if they place above the level of GERMAN 101.
Fluency in German can provide a career advantage in all types of industries where Germany and other German-speaking countries are leaders: finance, marketing, manufacturing, politics, government work, electronics and technology, chemical and biochemical, environmental science, and architecture. At UWM, language students receive an education in not just language fluency but also in the culture surrounding that language. Context matters in communication, and we believe it is important for students to understand the history, literature, and customs of native speakers of German in order to successfully apply their fluency.
Students are encouraged to participate in UWM's well-established study abroad program. Destinations are available in more than 70 sites around the world and vary in length from a few week immersion, to semester-long, to even a full year. Because of the complexities of planning a study abroad experience, students are encouraged to start planning early in sophomore year. Most students engage in study abroad during the second half of sophomore year or during their junior year.
Requirements
The College of Letters & Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The minor in German requires a minimum of 21 credits. At least 12 of these credits must be at the 300 level or above and taken in residence at UWM.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| GERMAN 204 | German in Your Field and Beyond | 3 |
| GERMAN 331 | German Grammar in Practice | 3 |
| GERMAN 332 | Presentation and Composition | 3 |
| Take at least one of these: | 3-6 | |
| Texts and Contexts | ||
| Introduction to German Studies | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 6-9 additional credits in courses taught in German program at the 300 level or above, or 3-6 credits from German courses numbered 300 and above plus 3 credits from the pre-approved electives in other subjects listed below | 6-9 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Pre-Approved Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTHIST 205 | History of Film I: Development of an Art | 3 |
| ARTHIST 206 | History of Film II: Development of an Art | 3 |
| ARTHIST 357 | Rococo to Revolution: European Art, 1750-1850 | 3 |
| ARTHIST 364 | Modernism and the Avant-Garde, 1900-1960 | 3 |
| ARTHIST 366 | German Painting, 1800-1933 | 3 |
| ARTHIST 465 | Dada and Surrealist Art | 3 |
| FILMSTD 205 | History of Film I: Development of an Art | 3 |
| FILMSTD 206 | History of Film II: Development of an Art | 3 |
| GEOG 330 | Europe: East and West | 3 |
| GERMAN 111 | German Life and Civilization: Part I | 3 |
| GERMAN 112 | German Life and Civilization: Part II: | 3 |
| GERMAN 145 | Views of Germany: | 3 |
| HIST 203 | The History of Medieval Europe: The Early Middle Ages | 3 |
| HIST 204 | The History of Medieval Europe: The High Middle Ages | 3 |
| HIST 241 | Women and Gender in Europe: 1350 to 1750 | 3 |
| HIST 248 | The First World War | 3 |
| HIST 249 | The Second World War in Europe | 3 |
| HIST 363 | Germany: Hitler and the Nazi Dictatorship | 3 |
| HIST 364 | The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism & the Fate of Jewish People in Europe, 1933-45 | 3 |
| HIST 371 | Topics in European History: | 3 |
| HIST 379 | Introduction to Jewish History | 3 |
| JEWISH 261 | Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images | 3 |
| MUSIC 211 | General History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 212 | General History of Western Music II | 3 |
| MUSIC 246 | German and French Lyric Diction | 1 |
| MUSIC 307 | General History of Western Music III | 3 |
| MUSIC 311 | Music of the Baroque Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 312 | Music of the Classic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 313 | Music of the Romantic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 314 | Music since 1900 | 3 |
| MUSIC 377 | Song Literature I: Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain | 2 |
| PHILOS 435 | Existentialism | 3 |
| PHILOS 437 | Phenomenology | 3 |
| POL SCI 334 | German Politics and the New Europe | 3 |
| POL SCI 339 | European Integration | 3 |
| POL SCI 382 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.