The German minor provides students linguistic proficiency and an introduction to the literatures and cultures of German-speaking countries. The minor can be completed by combining study of the literatures and cultures of German-speaking countries with other field (such as history, political science, European studies, music, art history, philosophy, religion, and Jewish studies), exploring the rich and often vexed history of things German from diverse perspectives. For a representative sample of interdisciplinary courses, please consult our German Studies Course List.

The degree comprises 18 credits, as approved by the department. At least 9 of these credits must be received from the Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. Students do not normally receive credit toward the minor for taking German-language courses below a level at which they have already received a grade of C or higher. Courses with a grade of D are not counted toward the minor.

Up to 9 credits may be credited toward the minor from courses taken during study abroad. Such credits are assigned at the discretion of the Undergraduate Director of German on the basis of material (transcripts, Scheine, syllabi, graded tests and quizzes, and graded papers) provided by the student after return to the U.S. Students studying in Germany are advised to remain in close contact with the Undergraduate Director of German during their studies in Germany.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • 18 credits total in German language and culture.
  • All German minors must complete the equivalent of 01:470:232 (Advanced German II).
  • At least 9 credits in which students are engaged in a thematically coherent examination of a period, topic, or set of questions from an interdisciplinary perspective (this is what we call the student's German Studies "concentration")

Click here to learn about Majoring in German!