German BA

About this programme

The German undergraduate major introduces students to a range of cultural phenomena in German-language contexts and from different historical periods. Our majors learn about literature, film, migration, philosophy, and history, within the structure of a humanistic discipline and with an emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and analysis. Many German majors and minors pursue opportunities to study abroad; and a substantial proportion of our majors complete a second major in a STEM field. Students are challenged to gain fluency in the German language, study major works of literature, film, and other forms of cultural production in their original language, and to venture abroad to German-speaking countries. The knowledge, experience, language fluency, and analytical skills acquired through the German major prepares our graduates to pursue careers in law, business, higher education, and public service; and our many STEM double-majors appreciate the German department’s smaller courses and tightly knit community, along with the opportunities our major affords to pursue international goals in German-speaking countries after graduation. If students choose to major or double major in German at Berkeley, they will enjoy opportunities to take small-group seminars taught by world-class professors and highly qualified graduate student instructors. Declaring the Major To declare the German major, please contact the Department of German. For details regarding the prerequisites, please see the Major Requirements tab on this page. For students transferring from another institution, see Nadia Samadi, the Undergraduate Academic Advisor. Honors Program Students with at least a 3.5 GPA in all upper division courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the major and a 3.3.