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 testlanguage entry level test (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/llcl/language-entry-level/) to determine the language level they should be enrolled in.
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.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:
- analyse the structure and understand the context of authentic, formal and complex language
- read and translate or interpret a range of German for social and professional use
- draw upon a sophisticated and detailed awareness of a range of important themes in German culture and literature, including familiarity with the historical context
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) and at least 18 points must be at level 3. Six language units (36 points) must be completed.
Note: Students can replace some of their required units with up to 24 points of language study overseas units or up to 12 points of study overseas summer semester units.
Entry point 1 - Introductory
For students with little or no knowledge of the language.
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3102 German dialects and dialectology
- ATS3104 German literature in the age of Goethe
- ATS3105Not offered in 2019 On the brink of modernity (Germany and Europe 1890-1920)
- ATS3108Not offered in 2019 Introduction to the study of media culture from a German studies perspective
- Two language unit (12 points):
- One unit (6 points) from the remaining capstone, language units or elective list below with at least one unit at level 3.
Entry point 2 - Intermediate
For students who have some prior knowledge of the language. Prior knowledge is generally not to VCE level. In some circumstances, and with permission of the German studies coordinator, students with a pass standard in German at Year 12 may also enter at this level, depending on the results of a language placement test.
Students complete:
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3102 German dialects and dialectology
- ATS3104 German literature in the age of Goethe
- ATS3105Not offered in 2019 On the brink of modernity (Germany and Europe 1890-1920)
- ATS3108Not offered in 2019 Introduction to the study of media culture from a German studies perspective
- Four language units (24 points):
- One unit (6 points) from the remaining capstone units or the elective list below.
Entry point 3 - Proficient
For students with a pass standard in German at Year 12 level or equivalent.
Students are encouraged to take language study overseas units, which can count as satisfying some components of the major.
Students complete:
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3102 German dialects and dialectology
- ATS3104 German literature in the age of Goethe
- ATS3105Not offered in 2019 On the brink of modernity (Germany and Europe 1890-1920)
- ATS3108Not offered in 2019 Introduction to the study of media culture from a German studies perspective
- Two language units (12 points):
- Equivalent of 18 points from the remaining capstones or the elective list below.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html).
Students complete:
- Three units (18 points) from the German language sequence under the major, following the entry point guidelines and taken in order.
- One unit (6 points) taken from the language major including language, cornerstone, capstone or elective units.
Elective list
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3859 Style and register: Scholarly and professional German
- ATS3935 Professional practice
- Study overseas
International study tours
- ATS2295/ATS3295 Screening contemporary Europe
- ATS3212 Berlin encounters: German culture, history and politics in the centre of Europe
Intending honours students
Students intending to enter honours in this area of study must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Diplomas
- A0501 Diploma of Languages
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*
- A2000 Bachelor of Arts
- A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies - as part of the requirements for the Cultural competence specialisation
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts component in the following double degrees:*
- A2004 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
- A2005 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Art
- B2006 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Global Studies
- B2019 Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2020 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
- B2038 Bachelor of International Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2039 Bachelor of Marketing and Bachelor of Arts
- B2046 Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts
- C2002 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts
- D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- E3002 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- L3009 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Global Studies
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
- S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
