German Studies
German Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers both a major and a minor for students with broad academic interests in the German-speaking world.
Students design individual plans of study from the many core courses offered in the Departments of History, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Theatre and Dance. Further courses, including some offered by other departments, may be incorporated into the student's program, if they bear directly on German Studies. Students considering a major or minor should consult a member of the German Studies faculty as early as possible.
Students need to attain competence in German (two years of university-level language courses or the equivalent) before they can take certain upper-division courses. It is recommended that students attain this level of competence early in the program.
Questions regarding major or minor requirements may be directed toward the Program Coordinator via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). Other questions can be directed to caesar@ucsd.edu.
People
Program Directors
Frank Biess, Co-Director
Professor, History
Ulrike Strasser, Co-Director
Professor, History
Academic Advising
UC San Diego undergraduate students: please use the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) for all advising questions.
Email for advising appointments: caesar@ucsd.edu
Faculty
Frank Biess, History
Charles Curtis, Music
Harvey S. Goldman, Sociology
Eva Fischer Grunski, Literature
Michael Hardimon, Philosophy
Deborah Hertz, History
Lisa Lampert-Weissig, Literature
Karola Obermüller, Music
Patrick Patterson, History
Christina Schneider, Political Science
Ulrike Strasser, History
Clinton Tolley, Philosophy
Eric Watkins, Philosophy
Alena J. Williams, Visual Arts
Major
German Studies Major
The major in German Studies requires twelve upper-division courses (forty-eight units) chosen from among the course list.
Please note: The required LTGM courses and other literature courses required for this major are not currently being offered. Students will have difficulty completing the major without a significant number of petitions. A minor is recommended.
Resources:
Minor
German Studies Minor
A minor in German Studies consists of completing 7 courses (28 units) that focus on Germany with a European context from two different departments. At least 5 of the courses must be upper division. Two of these courses can be replaced with German language courses.
Resources:
Resources
UC San Diego Undergraduate Student Resources
Course Offerings
Course Offerings
Refer to the official UC San Diego General Catalog for a complete list of approved courses that will count toward a major or minor in German Studies.
Course offerings are constantly changing. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date listing.
(*) Indicates course may be petitioned for credit. Instructions on How to Petition Courses.
Fall 2024
- LTGM 2A. Intermediate German I
- LIGM 1A/1AX. German Conversation/Analysis of German
- LIGM 1D/1DX. German Conversation/Analysis of German
- HIEU 154. Modern German History: From Bismarck to Hitler
- PHIL 181. Existentialism
- *POLI 120H. European Integration
- *LTWL 172. Special Topics in Literature; Heroes and Villains
- *LTWL 183. Film Studies and Literature: Director’s Work
Winter 2025
- *HIEU 147. Europe and the World I, 1808–1918
- LIGM 1B/BX. German Conversation/Analysis of German
- LTGM 2B. Intermediate German II
- *MUS 113. Topics in Classical, Romantic and Modern Music: Moondrunk: German Expressionism Through Music, Art and Literature
- PHIL 107. Hegel
Spring 2025
- *HIEU 148. Europe and the World II, 1918–Present
- LIGM 1C/CX. German Conversation/Analysis of German
- LTGM 2C. Intermediate German III
- *PHIL 33. Philosophy between Reason and Despair
Honors Program
German Studies Honors Program
At the beginning of senior year, a student major in German Studies may elect to write a senior honors thesis. To be eligible, the student must have a GPA of 3.5 in the German Studies major at the beginning of the senior year.
To begin work, the student forms a committee of 3 appropriate faculty members, including a committee chair, who is chosen from among the German Studies core faculty. The chair supervises the student in a 2-quarter program of independent study to research and write an honors of approximately 30-50 pages (GMST 196A/B; the 2 courses count among the required 12 for the major). The student defends the thesis in a 1-hour oral exam with the full committee, which is charged with recommending the degree of honors that will appear on the student's transcript and diploma.
Events
Past Events
April 9, 2019
Fascism's Global Movements: New Perspectives on Entanglements and Tensions Between Facist Regimes in the 1930s and 1940s with Sven Reichardt (University of Konstanz)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for responses to commonly asked questions. If you have further questions, please contact the German Studies program through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
How many study abroad courses can I apply to my major or minor?
German Studies majors can petition up to 5 study abroad courses to count.
German Studies minors can petition up to 3 study abroad courses to count.
What study abroad options are there?
Visit the UCEAP Study Abroad in Germany webpage for more information.
Students considering study abroad must meet with the German Studies Program Advisor before going abroad to discuss how study abroad coursework will fulfill requirements for their major or minor.
I found a UC San Diego course I want to use for my major/minor in German Studies. Can I take it?
You will need to petition the course to see if it will apply toward your German Studies major or minor.