German Program

German Studies is the interdisciplinary study of the contemporary cultural, social, economic and political life of the German-speaking peoples in their historical and international contexts. The German faculty of Claremont McKenna, Pomona and Scripps colleges offer a comprehensive curriculum for language, literature and cultural studies courses. The Claremont Colleges German faculty includes Ms. Burwick (Scripps), Mr.Katz (Scripps), Mr. Rindisbacher (Pomona), Ms. von Schwerin-High (Pomona), Ms. Bashaw (Pomona) and Mr. Kronenberg (Pomona).

The German Studies Program offers both a major and a minor in German Studies. The major can be completed with a specialization in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Literature.

First year students who wish to continue German after high school should do so in their first semester. It is also advisable to take the classes that satisfy the language requirement in a continuous sequence.

Students who wish to begin German in college should start in their first semester so that they have the language proficiency to study abroad in their junior year. Students who arrive at the Claremont Colleges with language proficiency should consider taking additional courses so that they can graduate with a dual or double major or a German minor.

Students interested in studying in Germany during their Junior Year should meet with a member of the German department by the fall of their sophomore year to discuss their options and plan their course of study abroad.

For more information, please consult the Pomona College course catalog

General Requirements for the Major in German Studies

Required are 10 courses numbered above 33. GERM 44 or the equivalent and two courses from the 100-series are required. Five more courses must be taken from among the German program offerings; three of them taught in German; Senior thesis (191) and Comprehensive examination (193) count as part of these five courses. Two more courses may be chosen from a list of associated courses in the Humanities or the Social Sciences (see below).
As a rule, courses for both the major or the minor taken at Claremont must be taken for a letter grade. Up to two courses in which a “pass” grade was earned are acceptable for either the major or the minor; up to three course credits from work completed on an approved Study Abroad program may be applied to either the major or the minor. All German Program courses taught in English are offered with a German language component (189), a one-half credit course, which may also be taken without the student being enrolled in the main course. Students may take two semesters of 189, German Language Component (for a total of one course credit) to substitute for one of the three courses in German required for the German major or minor. However, no more than one German course requirement can be fulfilled from multiple takings of 189.
Students must consult with faculty during the junior year regarding their senior exercise. Majors may choose a comprehensive examination (193) or a senior thesis (191). The deadline for the decision is the last day of classes in the second semester of the junior year. A thesis may be pursued in either the first or second semester of the senior year. It must be completed by the last day of classes if undertaken during the first semester, or the week before senior grades are due if undertaken during the second semester.
German Studies majors are strongly urged to study abroad for at least a semester. All majors and minors are also encouraged to reside in Oldenborg Center for at least one year.

Requirements for the Minor in German Studies

German 44 (or the equivalent) plus five courses numbered above 100, three of which must be in German. Just as the majors, German minors too may enroll in the German language component (189) offered with all German program courses taught in English. These one-half credit courses may also be taken without being enrolled in the main course.

Course Offerings for Fall 2009