Discover the German Curriculum
USD's German program explores the profound impact of German-speaking thinkers, scientists and artists on the modern world, offering a unique lens to critically examine the past and present. This provides students with invaluable preparation for diverse careers and graduate programs, as German remains a vital language for international communication and scholarship across numerous academic and scientific fields, including industry and commerce.
Minor
The minor in German is an excellent complement to a number of different disciplines such as art history, business, international relations, mathematics, music, political science, literature, philosophy and religious studies.
Students can also choose between two minor tracks, eighteen and twelve credits, respectively:
- Option 1: This option is for students beginning on a lower-language level. Students will explore German comprehension and structure.
- Option 2: This option is for students with an established proficiency in the German language. Students will have the opportunity to explore the broader culture and literature of the French speaking world.
Review the Minor tab below to learn about the requirements for each section.
Explore German Courses
Read descriptions of our German classes on our Courses page! Not all courses offered below will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Program Requirements
Each student declares their major(s) and minor(s) under a single catalog of record that is identified on the student's degree audit (available on Degree Works).
The program requirements below are based on the current course catalog and may not be applicable if a student is declared in an earlier catalog.
Find all previous course catalogs under on our Archived Catalogs of Record page.
18 units
Option 1
At least 9 of the 18 must be in upper-division (300-400 level) courses.
12 units
Option 2
12 units of upper-division courses. Prerequisites: Fourth-semester competency in German and approval of department chair.
Minor unit estimates DO NOT include preparation for the minor course units as well as minor requirements.
- Minor
- Concentration
The German Minor
Two options are available:
18 units: at least 9 of the 18 units must be in upper-division courses.
12 units of upper-division courses. Prerequisites: Fourth-semester competency in German and approval of department chair.
A minimum of six upper-division units must be taken on the USD campus. The experience of living and studying in a German-speaking country is most highly recommended.
Recommended Program of Study for the German Minor
GERM 101 through GERM 202 courses must be taken in order, one course per semester. Once the 300 level is reached, two courses or more can be taken at the same time, but prerequisites must be observed. When planning the minor, the program director will help map out the best course for each student according to previous background, future career goals, or personal interest.