German
College of Humanities
5
Average
Class Size
Bennion
Center
Courses
Getting Started
- Take beginner German or the German Placement Test
- Follow the WLC Department on social media to stay updated on announcements - Insta/Twitter: @UofUlanguages
Making Progress
- Run a degree audit every semester to track progress
- Combine your German language major with a related area of study such as political science or history
- Find a German language exchange partner through the Learning Abroad Office's Language Exchange Program to practice your German skills
- Complete WLC 2010 or 2020 for an introduction to the German major
Finishing Up
- Complete your WLC Practicum Signature Experience to see where German can take you!
- Meet with a WLC Academic Advisor for a smooth graduation experience
Community
Getting Started
- Attend the German section's sponsored event in the Fall and Spring semester
- Live on campus in a Theme Community e.g. the Go Global Floor or the O.C. Tanner Humanities House
Making Progress
- Join Delta Phi Alpha, the German National Honor Society
- Become the leader of your language club
- Help fellow students plan their language degrees by becoming a WLC Peer Advisor
- Join the Bennion Center Scholars Program or complete a Saturday Service Project related to German
- Take courses with a small student cohort and build positive peer relationships by becoming a LEAP Scholar
Finishing Up
- Take GERM 3940 to connect with your language community in the Salt Lake area
- Present your volunteer or internship experience at a campus conference
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Explore other departments to supplement your language education and focus your long-term goals
- Sign up for free or affordable one-on-one tutoring at the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Complete a local, national, or global language internship in German through the Hinckley Institute to discover language career opportunities and widen your network; internship organizations include Global Pathways (UT), the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (DC), German Parliament, and more
- Take German-related classes from other schools and departments such as Music, History, and Art History
Finishing Up
- Write a thesis or complete a Capstone Project that reflects your German major's cumulative knowledge and skills to to share with potential employers
Transformation
Getting Started
- Join the Bennion Center First Year Service Corps for volunteer opportunities
- Apply for German-related scholarships with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Making Progress
Study Intensive German Language and Culture in Kiel, Germany with U of U faculty and students:
- The Kiel program covers one year of German in 5 weeks at Christian Albrechts University
- Recreational excursions include full-day trips to Hamburg and Lubeck, a weekend trip to Berlin, sailing, and more
- 2,000 grants are awarded to U.S. students and professors annually to study and research in Germany
Finishing Up
- Finalize your Learning Portfolio and share your college accomplishments with employers
- Submit a speech to deliver at the commencement ceremony
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a Hinckley Forum to learn about local and global issues
- Find events on the University Events Calendar related to your interests
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday
Making Progress
- Join the Green Talent Competition and get the chance to visit the hot spots of sustainability research in Germany
- Register for a service-focused Alternative Break through the Bennion Center
- Become a Bennion Center Student Leader to promote volunteer opportunities in German
- Explore Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute programs to start a business venture and use your German skills to expand it
Finishing Up
- Help prospective students plan and prepare for the U experience by becoming an Admissions Office University Ambassador
- Complete an Alumni Bennion Summer Fellowship
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate and customize your Handshake account to explore jobs, internships, and career events
- Take a Career Course (HUM 3960, CSBS 2700, UGS 1950) to explore career options
Making Progress
- Consider working for a German company; Stadler, Adidas, BASF, Bayer, Bosch, Lufthansa, SAP, Siemens, T-Mobile, and Volkswagen account for 800,000 jobs in the U.S., making them the third-largest group of foreign employers in the country
- Secure an internship in Germany with RISE, RISE Professional, InternXchange, and more through Handshake
Finishing Up
- Attend our Career Fairs and Expos (check out employers beforehand in Handshake!)
- Refine your resume and cover letters at the Career Studio
- Practice interviewing and salary negotiations with a Career Coach
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Department of World Languages and Cultures provides an in-depth look at multiple languages and cultures. If you are interested in expanding your worldview and knowledge of the diverse world you inhabit, then one of our 10 majors is a great fit for you! There are 8 majors that focus on language -- Chinese, French, French Teaching, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish Teaching -- and 2 majors that focus on culture -- Classics and Religious Studies. Within any of these majors, you'll further your understanding of other cultures, which in turn refines your critical thinking, writing, and communication skills across any language. You will have the opportunity to engage with literature, film, history, music, various aspects of popular media, and other arts to develop a comparative perspective on your own culture, language, values, history, and traditions. This inter-cultural understanding will help prepare you to engage intelligently and sympathetically with multiple peoples and nations across the world, opening the door to plenty of opportunities across diverse professions. The Department of World Languages and Cultures is committed to preparing you to contribute globally in all areas of social, cultural, business, and political interaction. You will become a more productive and empathetic citizen of Utah, the USA, and the world.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop cultural competency in a culture(s) of your choice.
- Gain broad knowledge and comprehension of the literature, history, geography, art, architecture, philosophy, religions, etc. of the region(s) in which a target language is spoken.
- Learn to apply critical analysis to cultural artifacts, particularly texts, in a chosen culture(s) and across cultures.
- Communicate knowledge effectively both in a chosen language(s) and one's own native language.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.