GERMANST05 German studies

German studies is designed for students wishing to specialise in German language, linguistics, literature and their relation to culture and society, and also for those seeking a broader outlook within the humanities and social sciences. At every level, you will engage in practical language study and receive fundamental training in German culture and history as well as German linguistics. Elective units offer opportunities for diversification and specialisation in the fields of German literature and culture, media studies and German linguistics. These options are offered from level two (for linguistics) and three onwards.

German can be studied from beginner level up to a level of advanced written and spoken language competence. The German studies program has three entry points, each comprising a first and second semester unit. To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester (February) of language study.

You may also undertake further studies at honours, master's and doctorate level in German linguistics, literature and cultural studies. Contact the coordinator for further advice.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The German studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor, nor can they elect to take classes that are below their proficiency level. Students wishing to enrol in a language unit higher than introductory need to complete a language entry level test to determine the language level they should be enrolled in.

Students must sequentially progress through the language unit levels eg. Introductory, Intermediate, Proficient and Advanced. Students are not permitted to take classes that are below their tested language proficiency level.

Overseas study

The German studies program has ten active exchange agreements with German universities and cultural institutions. You are strongly encouraged to consider study overseas as part of a major and/or an honours degree in German studies, linguistics or comparative literature and cultural studies. You can replace language units with equivalent language study overseas units. Funding may be available through Monash Abroad and the German government. For detailed information contact the German studies program. For a list of units, please refer to the German studies study abroad webpage. You must obtain written approval from the German studies program before enrolling.

Availability

German studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Clayton as a major and a minor, and in A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.