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  • German

    Foreign Languages and Literatures

    German studies encompasses the works of German literature, the culture of the Middle Ages, German cinema, writings of ethnic minorities in German-speaking countries, economics, and the European Union. By acquiring proficiency in the German language, students learn the most widely spoken language in Europe and join a community of more than 130 million speakers of German around the world.

    About this Major

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.


    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    The B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization.  The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world.  The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.

    Foreign Languages and Literatures Options

    The German specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major is not limited to knowing the language, but instead helps the student achieve multiple literacies. In the major, the study of language merges with the study of culture and includes:

    • The works of German literature as well as German culture and civilization from the Middle Ages through the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century
    • German cinema
    • The writings of ethnic minorities in German-speaking countries
    • The terminology of business, economics and the European Union
    • Summer studies or full-semester studies at a German or Austrian university.

    For many students, the curriculum is an enriching discovery of their own past: more than 60 million Americans are at least partly of German heritage. More Americans can trace their ancestry to Germany than to any other foreign country, and since the middle of the 20th century more Americans have lived and worked in Germany than in any other foreign country.

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    Coursework for the Major

    The German specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 hours of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).

    All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

    Ordinarily, students will need to have completed GER 2200 Intermediate German 1 by their fifth semester at UF to be able to complete the German major.

    Required Foundation Coursework: 16 credits

    • GER 1130 Beginning Intensive German 1 or GER 1125 Discover German 1, 5 credits
    • GER 1131 Beginning Intensive German 2 or GER 1126 Discover German 2, 5 credits
    • GER 2200 Intermediate German 1, 3 credits
    • GER 2240 Intermediate German 2, 3 credits

    Required Core Coursework: 33 credits

    Advanced Language and Culture: 6 credits

    • GER 3470 Advanced German Abroad, 3-6 credits
    • GER 3234 Reading German Texts, 3 credits
    • GER 3401 German Grammar Review, 3 credits
    • GER 3300 Writing German Texts, 3 credits
    • GER 3413 German Listening Comprehension and Speaking, 3 credits

    Advanced Coursework: 18 credits

    At least six credits with GER or GEW prefix at the 4000-level
    • GER 3330 German Language & Culture 1, 3 credits
    • GER 3332 Topics in German Film and Culture, 1 credit
    • GER 3440 German in Business, 3 credits
    • GER 4482 Cultural Identity and Intercultural Competence, 3 credits
    • GER 4850 Structure & Stylistics of German, 3 credits
    • GER 4930 Variable Topics in German Studies, 3 credits
    • GET 3003 German Culture & Civilization 1, 3 credits
    • GET 3004 Modern German Culture and Civilization, 3 credits
    • GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood, 3 credits
    • GET 3501 History, Literature and Arts of Berlin, 3 credits
    • GET 3520 Early German Cinema, 4 credits
    • GET 3580 Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media, 3 credits
    • GET 3581 Limits Representations: Literature and Arts of the Holocaust, 3 credits
    • GET 3930 Variable Topics in German Studies, 3 credits
    • GET 4291 Women and German Cinema, 4 credits
    • GET 4293 New German Cinema 1945 to Present, 4 credits
    • GET 4930 Variable Topics in German Studies, 3 credits
    • GEW 3100 Survey of German Lit.1, 3 credits
    • GEW 3101 Survey of German Lit. 2, 3 credits
    • GEW 3930 Variable Topics in German, 3 credits
    • GEW 4301 Introduction to German Drama and Theater, 3 credits
    • GEW 4400 Medieval Studies in Germany, 3 credits
    • GEW 4542 Romantics and Revolutionaries, 3 credits
    • GEW 4730 Modern German Literature, 3 credits
    • GEW 4731 Contemporary German Literature, 3 credits
    • GEW 4750 Women in German Literature, 3 credits
    • GEW 4760 Ethnic Writing in Germany, 3 credits
    • GEW 4905 Individual Work, 3 credits max.
    • GEW 4930 Seminar in Germanic Languages and Literatures, 3 credits

    Critical Concentration: 9 credits from one concentration
    Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group

    Up to 15 credits of 3000/4000-level classes can be transferred from another institution.
    No more than 3 credits can be earned in independent studies courses such as GEW 4905.

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    Overseas Study

    The program recommends its summer program in Manheim, Germany.

    Placement

    Students without prior German should take the GER 1130 and GER 1131 sequence (five credits each). An alternative manner of completing the basic language sequence in a single year is by taking GER 1125 and 1126, Discover German. These 10 credit sequences fulfill the college's language requirement.

    Students with previous training in one of the languages should take an SAT II placement test. For more information on placement, refer to www.at.ufl.edu/testing.

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    Critical Tracking

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

    For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 2

    • Complete GER 1125 or GER 1130 or higher-level German course
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 3

    • Complete GER 1126 or GER 1131 or higher-level German course with a minimum grade of C
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 4

    • Maintain completion of GER 1131 or GER 1126 or higher-level German course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 5

    • Complete GER 2200 or any 2000-level German course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
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    Model Semester Plan

    Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

    This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

    Semester 1 Credits
    GER 1125 Discover German 1 or
    GER 1130 Beginning Intensive German 1
    5
    Biological or Physical Science
    State Core GE-B or P
    3
    Composition
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    3
    Total 14
    Semester 2 Credits
    GER 1126 Discover German 2 or
    GER 1131 Beginning Intensive German 2
    5
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    Mathematics
    State Core GE-M
    3
    Biological or Physical Science
    Area not taken in semester 1, GE-B or P
    3
    Science laboratory
    GE-P or B
    1
    Total 15
    Semester 3 Credits
    GER 2200 Intermediate German 1 3
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H
    3
    Mathematics
    GE-M
    3
    Physical Science
    GE-P
    3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    GE-S
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 4 Credits
    GER 2240 Intermediate German 2 3
    Humanities
    GET 3003 German Culture and Civilization 1 or
    GET 3004 Modern German Culture and Civilization
    GE-H and N
    3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    GE-S and D
    3
    Elective
    3000 level or above, not in major
    3
    ​Elective 3​
    Total 15
    Semester 5 Credits
    Advanced Language and Culture: Choose two
    GER 3234 Reading German Texts, 3 credits
    GER 3300 Writing German Texts, 3 credits
    GER 3401 German Grammar Review, 3 credits
    GER 3413 German Listening, Comprehension and Speaking, 3 credits
    GER 3470 Advanced Germ Abroad, 3 credits
    6
    Critical Concentration course 3
    Biological Science
    GE-B
    3
    Composition
    GE-C; WR
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 6 Credits
    Advanced German electives 6
    Critical Concentration course 3
    Electives
    3000 level or above, not in major
    6
    Total 15
    Semester 7 Credits
    Advanced German electives or
    Senior thesis option
    3
    Advanced German elective
    4000 level
    3
    Electives
    3000 level or above, not in major
    6
    Electives 4
    Total 16
    Semester 8 Credits
    Advanced German elective 3
    Advanced German elective
    4000 level
    3
    Critical Concentration course 3
    Elective
    3000 level or above, not in major
    3
    Electives 3
    Total 15
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    Critical Concentration Courses: 9 credits from one concentration

    Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group

    Course Credits
    Intensive Area Studies: German
    Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in German or graduate work in German Studies
    GER 3234 Reading German Texts 3
    GER 3330 German Lang. & Culture 1 3
    GER 3332 Topics in German Film & Culture 1
    GER 3440 German in Business 3
    GER 4482 Cultural Identity & Intercultural Competence 3
    GER 4850 Structure & Stylistics German 3
    GER 4930 Variable Topics German 3
    GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood 3
    GET 3501 History, Lit., Arts of Berlin 3
    GET 3520 Early German Cinema 4
    GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media 3
    GET 3581 Lit and Arts of the Holocaust 3
    GET 4930 Variable Topics in German 3
    GET 4291 Women and German Cinema 4
    GET 4293 New German Cinema 4
    GET 4930 Variable Topics in German 3
    GEW 3100 Survey of German Lit. 1 3
    GEW 3101 Survey of German Lit. 2 3
    GEW 3930 Variable Topics in German 3
    GEW 4301 Intro. to German Drama & Theater 3
    GEW 4400 Medieval Studies in Germany 3
    GEW 4542 Romantics and Revolutionaries 3
    GEW 4730 Modern German Literature 3
    GEW 4731 Contemporary German Literature 3
    GEW 4750 Women in German Lit. 3
    GEW 4760 Ethnic Writing in Germany 3
    GEW 4930 Seminar Germanic Languages & Literatures 3
    Comparative Cultural Studies
    ABT 3500 Arabic Culture 3
    ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature 3
    ARA 3510 The Arab Woman 3
    CHT 3500 Chinese Culture 3
    CHT 3513 Taoism & Chinese Culture 3
    CZT 3564 Modern Czech Culture & Society 3
    FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France 3
    FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema 3-4
    GET 3003 German Culture & Civilization 1 3
    GET 3004 Modern German Culture & Civilization 3
    HAI 3930 Haitian Culture & Society 3
    HAT 3564 Haitian Culture & Society 3
    ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy 3
    ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives on Holocaust 3
    ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian 3
    JPT 3500 Japanese Culture 3
    JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore 3
    RUT 3501 Cont. Russian Culture & Society 3
    RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian Experience 3
    RUT 3504 Russia Today 3
    RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales 3
    RUT 3530 Russia's Struggle with Nature 3
    RUT 4450 Russian Modernism 3
    VTT 3500 Vietnamese Culture 3
    YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in New World 3
    Film and Visual Culture
    CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese 3
    CHT 3391 Chinese Film and Media 4
    CHT 3523 Hong Kong, Taiwan and Global Cinema 4
    FRT 3520 French Cinema 4
    FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema 4
    FRT 4523 Euro Identities, Euro Cinema 4
    GET 3520 Early German Cinema 4
    GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media 3
    GET 3581 Lit and Arts of the Holocaust 3
    GET 4291 Women and German Cinema 4
    GET 4293 New German Cinema 4
    GET 4930 Variable Topics in German 3
    HBR 4930 Special Topics 3
    ITT 3521 Italian Cinema 4
    ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy 3
    ITT 3541 Italian Mafia Movies 3
    ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian 3
    JPN 4930 Special Topics in Japanese 3
    JPT 3391 Intro to Japanese Film 4
    PLT 3520 Polish Cinema 4
    RUT 3524 Russia Through Film 4
    SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film 3
    Literary Studies
    ABT 3130 Arabic Literary Heritage 3
    ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature 3
    CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese 3
    CHT 3110 Chinese Literary Heritage 3
    CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction 3
    CHT 3124 Modern Chinese Fiction 3
    CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber 3
    CHT 4603 Journey to the West 3
    FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France 3
    FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema 3-4
    GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood 3
    GET 3501 History, Literature, Arts of Berlin 3
    GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media 3
    GET 3581 Lit and Arts of the Holocaust 3
    GET 4930 Variable Topics in German 3
    HBR 4930 Special Topics in Hebrew 3
    HBT 3223 Identity/Dissent in Hebrew Short Story 3
    HBT 3562 Jews & Arabs in Mod. Hebrew Fiction 3
    HBT 3563 Women in Mod. Hebrew Fiction 3
    HBT 3564 Motherhood Mod. Hebrew Lit. 3
    ITT 3431 Italy & Pilgrimages 3
    ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy 3
    ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives Holocaust 3
    ITT 3930 Special Topics Italian 3
    JPT 3100 Tales of Kyoto 3
    JPT 3120 Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation 3
    JPT 3121 Contemporary Japanese Lit.: Postwar to Postmodern 3
    JPT 3150 Classical Japanese Poetry 3
    JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales 3
    JPT 4130 Tale of Genji 3
    JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore 3
    PLT 3930 Special Topics in Polish 3
    RUT 3101 Russian Masterpieces 3
    RUT 3441 Tolstoy & Dostoevsky 3
    RUT 3442 Themes from Russian Lit. 3
    RUT 3443 War and Peace 3
    RUT 3452 20th c. Russian Literature 3
    RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian 3
    RUT 3506 Creative Lives: Writers, Artists and Extraordinary People 3
    RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales 3
    RUT 3530 Russia’s Struggle with Nature 3
    RUT 3600 20th c. Slavic Eyes 3
    RUT 3930 Variable Topics Russian 3
    RUT 4440 Pushkin & Gogol 3
    RUT 4450 Russian Modernism 3
    SST 4502 African Oral Literatures 3
    SSW 4713 African Women Writers 3
    YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literatures 3
    Medieval and Early Modern Studies
    ARA 3510 The Arab Woman 3
    CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction 3
    CHT 3513 Taoism and Chinese Culture 3
    CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber 3
    CHT 4603 Journey to the West 3
    GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood 3
    ITT 3431 Italy and Pilgrimages 3
    JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales 3
    MEM 3003 Intro to Medieval World 3
    MEM 3300 Castles and Cloisters 3
    MEM 3301 Palaces and Cities 3
    MEM 3730 Studies in Holy Roman Empire 3
    MEM 3805 Research Methods in Medieval & Early Modern 3
    MEM 3931 Topics Medieval & Early Modern 3
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    Related German Programs

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majors: german-fll