International Studies and Languages Division

Modern Languages: German

The German major prepares a student to develop competency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the German language. The student is provided with the tools to develop competency. In addition to language skills, students study German culture, history, and literature. It is recommended that one year of another language also be taken.

Advanced Placement Credit

Students who receive a grade of "3" on the AP exam will receive four units of credit and satisfy GER 152. Those who receive a score of "4" will receive four units of credit and satisfy GER 251, thus satisfying the general education requirement for foreign language. Students with a grade of "5" will receive four units of credit and satisy GER 252. Additional placement credit will be determined by departmental examination, including an oral interview. The prerequisite for all 300-level German courses is GER 252.

Freshman-Year Program

The German major should enroll in the regular freshman program outlined in the Seaver College catalog and should begin the study of German. The course level is determined by a placement examination.

Program Requirements

The German major is required to take seven upper-division courses (twenty-eight units) as indicated below. A German major must spend two semesters in residence at Pepperdine University's Heidelberg campus or have an equivalent intensive experience in a German-speaking culture. For more information about the Heidelberg program please visit the International Programs Web site.

Although the information below is excerpted from the Seaver catalog, this is not an official binding document. To view the actual catalog visit Seaver Academic Catalog

The major course requirements include the following:

CourseID	Course Description	Units
GER 341	Advanced German I	4
GER 342	Advanced German II	4
GER 442/443	Survey of German Culture and Civilization I or II (PS, RM)	4
GER 455/456	Advanced German Composition I or II (WI)	4
Choose three upper-division courses (12 units)
In consultation with an advisor, choose three upper-division German classes.

The prerequisite for all upper-division German courses is GER 252 or equivalent competency

Student Learning Outcomes

A student who completes the German major should be able to:

• Show mastery in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing the German language.
• Read, discuss, interpret, and write about a wide variety of texts written in German.
• Explain the development of major periods of German-speaking history, art, literature, music, theatre, and philosophy.
• Articulate an understanding of service to others in a community and/or careers where knowledge of German would be useful.

Secondary Teaching Credential

In addition to the requirements for the major as listed above, students who plan to qualify for a California Teaching Credential in German must complete course work required by the State Department of Education. A credential candidate may not take a directed study as part of the German course work.

A student can graduate with a bachelor's degree in German and a California Teaching Credential in German by taking the required 34 units in education as part of the student's undergraduate elective courses and passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in German. More information about the credential courses can be found in the Teacher Education section of the Seaver College catalog or the Humanities/Teacher Education Web site.

German Minor

Students majoring in other areas but interested in German may receive a minor in German by taking twenty units in the language. The minor consists of the following:

CourseID	Course Description	Units
GER 252	Second Year German II	4
Choose four upper-division courses (16 units)
In consultation with a German advisor, choose four upper-division German classes.