German Studies
German Studies is a small student-focused program, providing courses in German language, culture, business, and history from the Middle Ages to the present. All students are encouraged to study abroad in a German-speaking country, with most choosing to do so in a semester of their Junior year or during a summer session.
Brandenburg Gate
Care for Every Student
German Studies is known for its "students first" attitude as the faculty members provide personal attention to students needs and foster a positive learning experience within the classroom. We offer a major, a minor, an interdisciplinary minor, and an honors program in addition to other activities for learning about German culture. These include the Stammtisch, a weekly meeting where students can speak German with others, and the German Club, a student-run organization that provides activities for students throughout the year.
Why Study German?
Small class sizes build personal relationships with professors, which equates to personalized learning.
We have sent more students to Germany and Austria as prestigious Fulbright scholars than any other university or program—now more than 150! The elite Fulbright program counts among its alumni 59 Nobel Prize winners and 37 heads of state.
German students are eligible for internships with companies in Germany every summer. Students are paid through their job and/or through Boston College internship grants and other fellowships.
Study for a semester in Tübingen, Eichstätt, Berlin, Vienna, or Frankfurt, or choose your location during the summer months. Courses taken abroad count toward the German major and accelerate completion of the major or minor.
Academic Program
Major in German
The major in German is designed to help students achieve linguistic, literary, and cultural competence and to foster and develop transferable skills of critical thinking, textual analysis, effective writing and communication, and international, cultural discernment. Training in German Studies includes advanced language courses combined with upper-level seminars on topical areas of literature, film, history, music, and culture. Majors complete the program with strong German-language proficiency, expertise in the analysis of texts and cultural artifacts in their historical and cultural context, the ability to produce texts of various genres in German, and the intellectual background for graduate study in German and many other fields, including business, law, political science, international studies, and medicine. German majors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.
The German major requires ten three-credit courses (30 credits):
- GERM2001–2002 German Composition and Conversation I and II (6 credits)
- One topics course numbered between GERM2010 and 2020 (3 credits)
- GERM2200 The German Literary Legacy (3 credits)
- One 3000-level course (3 credits)
- Five elective courses in German Studies, which may be taught in German or English (15 credits)
Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA may apply for the Honors program.
Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 12 credits (four three-credit courses) may be applied to the major.
Students are encouraged to double-count Core requirements by taking courses in German Studies that also fulfill the Core. One course for the German major may be double-counted toward another major or minor.
To declare your major in German Studies, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@jmswierski.com
Minor in German
The minor in German is one of two minors offered by the German Studies program. The minor in German is for students interested in learning the German language and creating ties with the German-speaking world while combining their interest in German with other academic and professional goals. The foremost goal of the program is to foster among students an international focus and the accompanying skills, whatever their major may be. Minors are strongly encouraged to study or work abroad. German minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.
The German minor requires six three-credit courses (18 credits):
- Four language courses between Elementary and Composition & Conversation (GERM1001, 1002, 1050, 1051, 2001, 2002). More advanced students can substitute upper-level language courses. (12 credits)
- GERM2200 The German Literary Legacy (3 credits)
- One elective course in German Studies, which may be taught in German or English (3 credits)
Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 6 credits (two three-credit courses) may be applied to the minor.
Students are encouraged to double-count Core requirements by taking courses in German Studies that also fulfill the Core. One course for the German minor may be double-counted toward another major or minor.
To declare your minor in German Studies, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@jmswierski.com.
Interdisciplinary Minor in German Studies
The interdisciplinary minor in German Studies (aka the “German Studies Minor”) aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking civilization and its place in today's world. Students choose the interdisciplinary minor for its flexibility in taking courses tailored to their interests across departments and may complete the entire minor with courses taught in English. German Studies minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.
Requirements: Six three-credit courses (18 credits)
- GERM2242/HIST2270 Germany Divided and Reunited (3 credits, offered biennially)
- Three elective courses in German Studies, taught in English or German (9 credits)
- Two courses on topics related to the Germanic-speaking world from different departments in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences (6 credits, see suggestions below)
Consult the German Studies website for a list of courses from across the campus suited to the interdisciplinary minor in German Studies.
Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 6 credits (two three-credit courses) may be applied to the minor. Only one course for an interdisciplinary minor may be “double counted” toward another major, minor, or a Core requirement.
To declare your German Studies minor and plan your course of study, contact the director of the interdisciplinary minorr, Professor Nick Block, Lyons 210C, blockni@jmswierski.com.
Interdisciplinary Minor Courses
A non-exhaustive list of courses in English suitable for the German Studies minor.
| Course Name | Course Number | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Renaissance Art | ARTH2232 | Kenneth Craig |
| Modern Architecture | ARTH2251 | Timothy Orwig |
| Modernism and the Avant-Garde, 1900-1945 | ARTH2258 | Isabel Taube |
| The Age of Rembrandt | ARTH3342 | Kenneth Craig |
| Vienna 1900 | ARTH4405 | Judith Bookbinder |
| Critical Theory | COMM3378 | Brett Ingram |
| Triumphant Calamity: The Modern Condition | ENGL2163 GERM2163 | Daniel Bowles |
| Madmen, Hysterics, and Criminals: Inventing Deviance | ENGL2210 FREN3315 GERM2221 | Daniel Bowles |
| Literature of Migration: Diaspora, Exile, and Home | ENGL2251 GERM2250 | Nick Block |
| King Arthur in German Literature | ENGL3304 GERM2240 | Michael Resler |
| Modern European Novel | ENGL4022 | Frances Restuccia |
| Psychoanalysis and Literature | ENGL4513 | Frances Restuccia |
| Holocaust and the Arts | FILM2220 | John Michalcyk |
| Representing the Holocaust | FILM2253 GERM2203 | Nick Block |
| Nazi Film, Nazi Art: The Power of Propaganda | FILM3309 | John Michalczyk |
| Propaganda Film | FILM3381 | John Michalczyk |
| True Fiction: From Philosophy to Literature | FREN4433 PHIL4380 ENGL4380 | |
| Melancholy of War | HIST2256 | Thomas Dodman |
| World War II | HIST2269 | Devin Pendas |
| World War I | HIST2840 | Jesse Tumblin |
| Bloodlands of the Eastern Front | HIST3280 | Nicole Eaton |
| Third Reich | HIST4299 | Devin Pendas |
| Collecting, Order, Displaying Power: The History of the Modern Museum | HIST4602 | William Burwick |
| After World War I: Spirit Recov/Fascism/Personalism | HIST4844 PHIL4447 | James Bernauer |
| Fascism and Communism | HIST5281 | Nicole Eaton |
| Music in the Holocaust and the Third Reich | MUSA1400 | Mark Ludwig |
| Medieval and Renaissance Music | MUSA2201 | Michael Noone |
| Music of the Baroque | MUSA2203 | Peter Watchorn |
| Music of the Classic Period | MUSA2205 | Jeremiah McGrann |
| Music of the Romantic Era | MUSA2207 | Jeremiah McGrann |
| Chromatic Harmony | MUSA3100 | Ralf Gawlick, Lee Thomas |
| J. S. Bach | MUSA3260 | Peter Watchorn |
| Beethoven | MUSA3270 | Jeremiah McGrann |
| The Schumanns | MUSA3277 | Sandra Hebert |
| Gustav Mahler and Vienna 1900 | MUSA3286 | Jeremiah McGrann |
| Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche: Art, Religion | PHIL4211 | Vanessa Rumble |
| Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Philosophy | PHIL4408 | Elisa Magri |
| Hermeneutics, Language, Politics | PHIL4426 | David Johnson |
| Freud and Philosophy | PHIL4429 | Vanessa Rumble |
| German Romanticism and Idealism | PHIL4442 | Vanessa Rumble |
| The Holocaust: A Moral History | PHIL4456 HIST4846 THEO4456 | James Bernauer |
| Politics of the Soul | PHIL5501 | Brian Braman |
| Phenomenology of Value: Husserl, Scheler, Lonergan | PHIL5933 | Andrew Barrette |
| Immigration in Contemporary Europe | POLI2440 | Elitsa Molles |
| Political Development of Western Europe | POLI2445 | Jonathan Laurence |
| The World Wars | POLI2548 | Lindsey O’Rourke |
| Domestic Politics of Post-1945 Europe | POLI4449 | Jonathan Laurence |
| Holocaust Literature: History, Memory, Legacy | SLAV6060 HIST4294 ENGL6601 | Maxim Shrayer |
| Modern Jewish Thought | THEO2260 PHIL2263 GERM2160 | Nick Block |
| Holocaust, History, Representation & Memory | UNAS1721 | Nick Block |
Professional Concentration in German Studies
At Boston College, many students double-major in another discipline. The professional concentration (or "professional track") allows those German majors or minors who are also studying fields related to business, STEM, political science, or economics, among others, to take advantage of the thriving German economy that makes Europe a potential career destination.
The professional concentration requires two three-credit courses (6 credits), taught in German, counting simultaneously toward the German major or minors:
- GERM2004 German for Professional Purposes (3 credits)
- GERM2005 Germany in Europe Today (3 credits)
Students majoring or minoring in German Studies can apply in the fall semester for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer. Past students have even had two internships in different summers. Inquire about the internship, for which you may receive one course credit, by contacting Ursula Mangoubi, mangoubi@jmswierski.com.
- GERM5501 German Studies Internship (1 credit)
Internships can be arranged to precede or follow a year or a semester of study abroad without the need to leave Europe. Business students are encouraged to attend the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business) or the Ingolstadt School of Management affiliated with our partner university the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Students in other fields should consult with faculty members about the best academic options for their study goals.
Honors Program
Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA in German Studies courses are encouraged to apply for the Honors program in German. Honors students take an additional 6 credits in German Studies (either one additional 3-credit upper-level course and one semester of GERM6699, or two semesters of GERM6699). As part of GERM6699, students complete a bachelor’s thesis on a topic chosen in consultation with their proposed thesis advisor. To apply for the Honors program, please contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, Lyons 201F, bowlesd@jmswierski.com.
Professional Opportunities
Internships
Contact: Ursula Mangoubi, German Studies
Anyone can apply for an internship in Germany to learn first-hand about daily life and business practices. Applications are due in the Fall semester.
Since 2004, BC students have interned in various cities and towns in Germany, among them: Frankfurt, Berlin, Wiesbaden, Karlsruhe, Kassel and Hannover. Internships are available in a wide area of fields from Finance, Administration, and Science to Politics, Education and more. No matter what major or minor you chose, consider applying for a summer internship in Germany.
USA Interns - Steuben Schurz Gesellschaft. The majority of the summer internships, 32 so far, have been obtained via this program.. Our partnership began in 2005 when Vladmir Ilic (CSOM ’06) did a paid internship at the Frankfurt office of Cerberus, a private equity firm. More recently, USA-Interns placed four Boston College students.
- Shan Rizwan (MCAS ’21 interned at the Mayor’s Office/Treasurer of the City of Frankfurt.
- Yanlin Zi (MCAS ’21) did research at the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) on the Wiesbaden Campus. Read about her experience.
- Thomas Schloo (MCAS ’20) interned for Regional Rhein Main Economic Development Frankfurt. Read about his experience.
- Shao Yuan Liao (MCAS ‘20) did a marketing internship at 4YourBooking in Hannover.
- Sabrina Black (MCAS ’19) interned at the International Summer University in Kassel. Read about her experience.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals, a highly competitive year-long study and internship program for those interested in politics was awarded to Maria Nero (’15), Alex Hawley (’16), Hannah Chen ('21) and Pauline Flanagan ('22).
The RISE summer internship program for biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and engineering majors is provided through the DAAD.
Take a 10-minute tour of what life in an internship is like with Shan Rizwan (’21), who interned at the Frankfurt Mayor’s office & Treasurer!
Fulbright Fellowships
The Fulbright Fellowship provides a full stipend for one academic year after graduation from Boston College to pursue research or teach. Perhaps more importantly, it represents a prestigious life-long distinction of inestimable value later in life.
Over the past 30 years, German Studies at Boston College has enjoyed unusual success in promoting its graduating seniors (most particularly its majors and minors) for Fulbright Fellowships to Germany and Austria. Cumulatively, Boston College has sent more students to Germany and Austria as Fulbright scholars than any other university in the United States. In 2006-2007 we achieved an all-time record of thirteen, the most in the 70-year history of the Fulbright Program.
Students are strongly encouraged to begin planning for the Fulbright application as early as possible in their careers at Boston College. All who are interested should email Prof. Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@jmswierski.com.
General information is provided by The Council for International Exchange of Scholars.
Community
German Club
The German Club is Boston College's student-run organization for the promotion of German language and culture. German Club gets people involved in things German, not necessarily the language, outside the classroom.
The Club has organized social functions such as Oktoberfest, cooking, a Christmas party, and German movie watch parties. Follow the German Club on Instagram.
German Studies Conversation Hours
Stammtisch. Come to the German Studies in Lyons 201E to get to know other students, play board games, and enjoy good German conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. For information on times this semester, e-mail Prof. Nick Block, blockni@jmswierski.com.
Academic Tools
An important academic asset of the Department of Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies is the Heinz Bluhm Memorial Library (Lyons 201E), containing approximately 4,000 volumes from the collection of the late Heinz Bluhm (1907-1993). Professor Bluhm was the founder (in 1968) and long-time chair (1968-1976) of the Department of Germanic Studies.
The Library consists chiefly of the Germanic volumes from Professor Bluhm's own extensive personal research library which he amassed over the period of more than six decades. Upon his death in November of 1993 Professor Bluhm bequeathed his collection to Boston College. The particular strengths of the Library are (1) Martin Luther, (2) the Age of Goethe and (3) Nietzsche, although the full spectrum of German life and letters—from the Middle Ages well into the Twentieth Century—is richly represented as well.
The Bluhm library opened in the summer of 1996, and is located in Lyons Hall 201E on the Boston College middle campus. It is open during the academic year on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Index Verborum is a reference guide that accesses over 323 German writings of Martin Luther, from the critical historical period of 1516 through 1525. This searchable database will facilitate scholars' ability to rapidly ascertain locations of specific words in original text sources, allowing ready access to Luther's linguistic or contextual usage, and hence, enabling analysis of his original meaning or intent.