Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the special major in German Cultural Studies, students will gain the following:

German Language Skills

  • ability to understand spoken German and to read a wide variety of texts written in German
  • ability to communicate effectively in German and in English orally and in writing
  • ability to respond in culturally appropriate ways in a variety of common situations in German
  • knowledge of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of the German language

Cultural Awareness and International Engagement

  • knowledge of the history and cultures of the German-speaking world, including contemporary events
  • knowledge of literature, art, film, and other cultural expressions in the German-speaking world
  • knowledge of cultural diversity in the global context
  • ability to engage with international communities

Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

  • ability to analyze the treatment and solutions of problems in the German-speaking world, the European Union, and the USA
  • ability to analyze issues in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary context

Metacognitive Skills

  • awareness of the language learning process and the learning process in general
  • ability to formulate individual goals, execute them, and reflect on them    

Communicative and Interpersonal Skills

  • ability to express themselves effectively in written and oral communication in both German and English
  • ability to work independently as well as collaboratively