German Program
- UWM Undergraduate Bulletin
- UWM Undergraduate Bulletin
- German Major Requirements
- German Courses Offered
- German Studies Certificate Program
- College of Letters and Science Requirements
- German Courses
- Fall Semester
- UWinteriM
- Spring Semester
- Summer Sessions
The German Program offers a wide range of language, literature, and civilization courses. During any semester, you'll find courses on German literature, civilization and culture, linguistics, German for professional purposes (e.g., Business German), and beginning, intermediate, and advanced language and composition and conversation courses. The Program is made up of faculty members with varied areas of teaching and research interests, including linguistics, literature, culture, film, and pedagogy.
Where to Start
Students who have never taken German should begin their study of language with German 101. Students who have previously studied German may begin at a more advanced level. Results of a university-administered test determine advanced placement. It's possible to receive up to 14 retroactive credits of German if, after being placed in a course because of your previous work in the language, you pass it with a grade of B- or better.
Undergraduate study includes:
German Major, German Minor, Minor in Business German
The major requires between 24 and 27 credits in courses numbered 300 and above. The Program includes major tracks in literature as well as culture and linguistics. Students are strongly encouraged to take at least 6 additional credits in related courses outside the department as recommended by their advisor.
German majors are eligible for Honors in the major if they have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all UWM graded credits attempted, at least a 3.50 GPA in all credits attempted which count toward the major, and at least a 3.50 GPA in all advanced credits which count toward the German major.
The minor requires a minimum of 18 credits in courses numbered 300 and above. These must include 6 credits from the advanced language sequence and 12 credits from two of three options: literary history, cultural history, business German.
The business German minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits taken in one of two tracks. The curriculum includes courses in business administration for non-business students and courses in the practical and professional use of the German language as well as understanding of German culture for all students. Substitutions for some course requirements are possible and may include internships with firms doing business in German-speaking countries.
Teaching Majors and Minors
A maximum of 27 credits in German courses beyond the second year is required for the teaching major. The 27 credits must include the following: 12 credits in literature courses; 9 credits in advanced language courses; one course each in German cultural history and phonetics. In addition, the Program strongly recommends that, in consultation with the Program advisor, the student take at least 6 credits in related courses outside the Program.
For certification to teach in secondary schools, the teaching minor, this minor can be taken only in conjunction with a language major. The following minimum of 15 credits of German courses beyond the second-year level is required: 6 credits in literature courses, 6 credits in advanced language courses, and one German cultural history course.
If you've already earned a bachelor's degree and wish to become certified in German, consult the School of Education's website about post-baccalaureate teacher certification.
Faculty and Staff
Garry Davis, Associate Professor of German (PhD, University of Michigan)
Veronica Lundback, Lecturer
Barbara Merten-Brugger, Associate Lecturer
Jeanne M. Schueller, Assistant Professor of German (PhD, University of Wisconsin Madison)
Ruth Schwertfeger, Professor of German
Jennifer Watson, Associate Professor of German (PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Tina Young, Lecturer