(Bachelor of Arts)

The German program provides students with the opportunity to develop communication skills in both written and spoken German along with an understanding of and appreciation for German literature and culture. Students developing linguistic and cultural proficiencies are challenged by a curriculum which includes a variety of courses in beginning, intermediate and advanced language, literature, cinema, culture, business and translation studies, as well as travel courses, independent study courses, and internship experiences.

Although many students choose to study German primarily for personal growth and intellectual enrichment, the program is designed to prepare students to enter a variety of careers in, for example, teaching, business, industry and government, and to provide a basis for further study at the graduate level. German language and culture studies are of great professional value in such fields as international business, communications, translating and interpreting, personnel work, public relations, management, education, music, art, philosophy, law, history, anthropology, theology, social work, politics and the travel industry. Furthermore, proficiency in a modern language and understanding of other cultures are essential for peace and prosperity in a mutually interdependent world.

All students in the German program are strongly encouraged to spend as much time as possible in German-speaking cultures; to study a semester or a year at UW-Green Bay’s German exchange university, Kassel Universität or at another university in Hessen; and/or to participate in the winter or summer travel course in Germany. Students have the opportunity to interact with German exchange students, attend film series and weekly German conversation tables, and to participate in a variety of German Club events and trips. The UW-Green Bay Language Resource Center has interactive audio-visual equipment and computers to support students’ language acquisition and cultural awareness.

German students interested in the humanities may choose to minor in Humanities; students interested in teaching may choose an Education minor; those interested in business often choose Business Administration or International Business; and those interested in communication fields or creative fields may choose a minor in Design Arts or Arts Management. Depending on their personal preferences and career goals, students may combine other programs, such as Human Development or Democracy and Justice Studies.

Students who are beginning their study of German should enroll in Introduction to GERMAN 101. Students with previous German study should select a course appropriate to their level — GERMAN 102, GERMAN 201, GERMAN 202 or GERMAN 320 — by counting a year of high school work as equivalent to a semester of college work, or they should consult the German adviser.

Students seeking teacher certification must be admitted to the Education Program and should contact the Education Office for information and further requirements.

Students may study abroad or at other campuses in the United States through UW-Green Bay’s participation in international exchange programs and National Student Exchange. Travel courses are another option for obtaining academic credits and completing requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at (920) 465-2190 or see http://www.uwgb.edu/international/.

Retroactive Credit

Degree seeking students who have taken a second language in high school or who have acquired knowledge of a second language elsewhere may earn up to 14 additional credits for their previous language study by completing a foreign language course beyond the 101 level. With a grade of “B” or better, credit will be given in that language for all of the courses in that language preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of 14 credits; with a grade of “BC” or “C,” half-credit will be given for the courses preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of seven credits.

For example, with four years of high school German, students who complete GERMAN 320, with a grade of “B” will receive 14 retroactive credits for GERMAN 101, GERMAN 102, GERMAN 201, and GERMAN 202 in addition to the three credits for GERMAN 320; students who complete the course with a “C” will receive seven retroactive credits for GERMAN 101 (2 of the total 4 credits), GERMAN 102 (2 of the total 4 credits), GERMAN 201 (1.5 of the total 3 credits), and GERMAN 202 (1.5 of the total 3 credits).

Requests for retroactive credit in a student’s native language are not generally accepted.

To determine eligibility for retroactive credit, students must consult with the appropriate language program chair or course instructor who will advise them regarding which foreign language course they should take. If a student meets the criteria above, the course instructor must complete the Retroactive Credit Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. The appropriate courses and corresponding credits will then be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Retroactive credit will not be awarded based on a student’s performance on any sort of test. This includes, but is not limited to, AP, CLEP, or Challenge exams. Retroactive foreign language credits may only be earned by satisfactorily passing a course at UW-Green Bay or through an approved CCHS program as described above.

Retroactive credits earned at any UW System institution or from St. Norbert College courses will be honored and granted to transfer students. Retroactive foreign language credits awarded by other institutions will not be granted to students who transfer to UW-Green Bay. Students may request an exception to this policy by submitting a written appeal to the language coordinator of the department they wish to receive credit from.

If you’re repeating a course, contact the German program chair for further information on retroactive credits.