German Studies

German Studies is a small student-focused program, providing courses in German language, culture, business, and history from the Middle Ages to the present. All students are encouraged to study abroad in a German-speaking country, with most choosing to do so in a semester of their Junior year or during a summer session.

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate

Care for Every Student

German Studies is known for its "students first" attitude as the faculty members provide personal attention to students needs and foster a positive learning experience within the classroom. We offer a major, a minor, an interdisciplinary minor, and an honors program in addition to other activities for learning about German culture. These include the Stammtisch, a weekly meeting where students can speak German with others, and the German Club, a student-run organization that provides activities for students throughout the year.

Why Study German?

Mentorship

Small class sizes build personal relationships with professors, which equates to personalized learning.

Fulbright Scholars

We have sent more students to Germany and Austria as prestigious Fulbright scholars than any other university or program—now more than 150! The elite Fulbright program counts among its alumni 59 Nobel Prize winners and 37 heads of state.

Internships

German students are eligible for internships with companies in Germany every summer. Students are paid through their job and/or through Boston College internship grants and other fellowships.

Study Abroad

Study for a semester in Tübingen, Eichstätt, Berlin, Vienna, or Frankfurt, or choose your location during the summer months. Courses taken abroad count toward the German major and accelerate completion of the major or minor.

Academic Program

Major in German

The major in German is designed to help students achieve linguistic, literary, and cultural competence and to foster and develop transferable skills of critical thinking, textual analysis, effective writing and communication, and international, cultural discernment. Training in German Studies includes advanced language courses combined with upper-level seminars on topical areas of literature, film, history, music, and culture. Majors complete the program with strong German-language proficiency, expertise in the analysis of texts and cultural artifacts in their historical and cultural context, the ability to produce texts of various genres in German, and the intellectual background for graduate study in German and many other fields, including business, law, political science, international studies, and medicine. German majors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

The German major requires ten three-credit courses (30 credits):

  • GERM2001–2002 German Composition and Conversation I and II (6 credits)
  • One topics course numbered between GERM2010 and 2020 (3 credits)
  • GERM2200 The German Literary Legacy (3 credits)
  • One 3000-level course (3 credits)
  • Five elective courses in German Studies, which may be taught in German or English (15 credits)

Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA may apply for the Honors program.

Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 12 credits (four three-credit courses) may be applied to the major. 

Students are encouraged to double-count Core requirements by taking courses in German Studies that also fulfill the Core. One course for the German major may be double-counted toward another major or minor. 

To declare your major in German Studies, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@bc.edu

Minor in German

The minor in German is one of two minors offered by the German Studies program. The minor in German is for students interested in learning the German language and creating ties with the German-speaking world while combining their interest in German with other academic and professional goals. The foremost goal of the program is to foster among students an international focus and the accompanying skills, whatever their major may be. Minors are strongly encouraged to study or work abroad. German minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

The German minor requires six three-credit courses (18 credits):

  • Four language courses between Elementary and Composition & Conversation (GERM1001, 1002, 1050, 1051, 2001, 2002). More advanced students can substitute upper-level language courses. (12 credits)
  • GERM2200 The German Literary Legacy (3 credits)
  • One elective course in German Studies, which may be taught in German or English (3 credits)

Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 6 credits (two three-credit courses) may be applied to the minor. 

Students are encouraged to double-count Core requirements by taking courses in German Studies that also fulfill the Core. One course for the German minor may be double-counted toward another major or minor. 

To declare your minor in German Studies, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@bc.edu.

Interdisciplinary Minor in German Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in German Studies (aka the “German Studies Minor”) aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of German-speaking civilization and its place in today's world. Students choose the interdisciplinary minor for its flexibility in taking courses tailored to their interests across departments and may complete the entire minor with courses taught in English. German Studies minors are eligible to apply for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer.

Requirements: Six three-credit courses (18 credits)

  • GERM2242/HIST2270 Germany Divided and Reunited (3 credits, offered biennially)
  • Three elective courses in German Studies, taught in English or German (9 credits)
  • Two courses on topics related to the Germanic-speaking world from different departments in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences (6 credits, see suggestions below)

Consult the German Studies website for a list of courses from across the campus suited to the interdisciplinary minor in German Studies.

Freshmen and sophomores should consult with the German Studies Director of undergraduate studies concerning opportunities for study abroad during their junior year at a German or Austrian university, in which case up to 6 credits (two three-credit courses) may be applied to the minor. Only one course for an interdisciplinary minor may be “double counted” toward another major, minor, or a Core requirement. 

To declare your German Studies minor and plan your course of study, contact the director of the interdisciplinary minorr, Professor Nick Block, Lyons 210C, blockni@bc.edu.

Interdisciplinary Minor Courses

A non-exhaustive list of courses in English suitable for the German Studies minor.

Course NameCourse NumberInstructor
Northern Renaissance ArtARTH2232Kenneth Craig
Modern ArchitectureARTH2251Timothy Orwig
Modernism and the Avant-Garde, 1900-1945ARTH2258Isabel Taube
The Age of RembrandtARTH3342Kenneth Craig
Vienna 1900ARTH4405Judith Bookbinder
Critical TheoryCOMM3378Brett Ingram
Triumphant Calamity: The Modern ConditionENGL2163
GERM2163
Daniel Bowles
Madmen, Hysterics, and Criminals: Inventing DevianceENGL2210
FREN3315
GERM2221
Daniel Bowles
Literature of Migration: Diaspora, Exile, and HomeENGL2251
GERM2250
Nick Block
King Arthur in German LiteratureENGL3304
GERM2240
Michael Resler
Modern European NovelENGL4022Frances Restuccia
Psychoanalysis and LiteratureENGL4513Frances Restuccia
Holocaust and the ArtsFILM2220John Michalcyk
Representing the HolocaustFILM2253
GERM2203
Nick Block
Nazi Film, Nazi Art: The Power of PropagandaFILM3309John Michalczyk
Propaganda FilmFILM3381John Michalczyk
True Fiction: From Philosophy to LiteratureFREN4433
PHIL4380
ENGL4380
 
Melancholy of WarHIST2256Thomas Dodman
World War IIHIST2269Devin Pendas
World War IHIST2840Jesse Tumblin
Bloodlands of the Eastern FrontHIST3280Nicole Eaton
Third ReichHIST4299Devin Pendas
Collecting, Order, Displaying Power: The History of the Modern MuseumHIST4602William Burwick
After World War I: Spirit Recov/Fascism/PersonalismHIST4844
PHIL4447
James Bernauer
Fascism and CommunismHIST5281Nicole Eaton
Music in the Holocaust and the Third ReichMUSA1400Mark Ludwig
Medieval and Renaissance MusicMUSA2201Michael Noone
Music of the BaroqueMUSA2203Peter Watchorn
Music of the Classic PeriodMUSA2205Jeremiah McGrann
Music of the Romantic EraMUSA2207Jeremiah McGrann
Chromatic HarmonyMUSA3100Ralf Gawlick,
Lee Thomas
J. S. BachMUSA3260Peter Watchorn
BeethovenMUSA3270Jeremiah McGrann
The SchumannsMUSA3277Sandra Hebert
Gustav Mahler and Vienna 1900MUSA3286Jeremiah McGrann
Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche: Art, ReligionPHIL4211Vanessa Rumble
Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century PhilosophyPHIL4408Elisa Magri
Hermeneutics, Language, PoliticsPHIL4426David Johnson
Freud and PhilosophyPHIL4429Vanessa Rumble
German Romanticism and IdealismPHIL4442Vanessa Rumble
The Holocaust: A Moral HistoryPHIL4456
HIST4846
THEO4456
James Bernauer
Politics of the SoulPHIL5501Brian Braman
Phenomenology of Value: Husserl, Scheler, LonerganPHIL5933Andrew Barrette
Immigration in Contemporary EuropePOLI2440Elitsa Molles
Political Development of Western EuropePOLI2445Jonathan Laurence
The World WarsPOLI2548Lindsey O’Rourke
Domestic Politics of Post-1945 EuropePOLI4449Jonathan Laurence
Holocaust Literature: History, Memory, LegacySLAV6060
HIST4294
ENGL6601
Maxim Shrayer
Modern Jewish ThoughtTHEO2260
PHIL2263
GERM2160
Nick Block
Holocaust, History, Representation & MemoryUNAS1721Nick Block

Professional Concentration in German Studies

At Boston College, many students double-major in another discipline. The professional concentration (or "professional track") allows those German majors or minors who are also studying fields related to business, STEM, political science, or economics, among others, to take advantage of the thriving German economy that makes Europe a potential career destination.

The professional concentration requires two three-credit courses (6 credits), taught in German, counting simultaneously toward the German major or minors:

  • GERM2004 German for Professional Purposes (3 credits)
  • GERM2005 Germany in Europe Today (3 credits)

Students majoring or minoring in German Studies can apply in the fall semester for popular internships, which place Boston College students with companies in Germany or Austria every summer. Past students have even had two internships in different summers. Inquire about the internship, for which you may receive one course credit, by contacting Ursula Mangoubi, mangoubi@bc.edu.

  • GERM5501 German Studies Internship (1 credit)

Internships can be arranged to precede or follow a year or a semester of study abroad without the need to leave Europe. Business students are encouraged to attend the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business) or the Ingolstadt School of Management affiliated with our partner university the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Students in other fields should consult with faculty members about the best academic options for their study goals.

Honors Program

Students with a minimum 3.5 GPA in German Studies courses are encouraged to apply for the Honors program in German. Honors students take an additional 6 credits in German Studies (either one additional 3-credit upper-level course and one semester of GERM6699, or two semesters of GERM6699). As part of GERM6699, students complete a bachelor’s thesis on a topic chosen in consultation with their proposed thesis advisor. To apply for the Honors program, please contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Daniel Bowles, Lyons 201F, bowlesd@bc.edu.

Professional Opportunities

Internships

Contact: Ursula Mangoubi, German Studies

Anyone can apply for an internship in Germany to learn first-hand about daily life and business practices. Applications are due in the Fall semester.

Since 2004, BC students have interned in various cities and towns in Germany, among them: Frankfurt, Berlin, Wiesbaden, Karlsruhe, Kassel and Hannover. Internships are available in a wide area of fields from Finance, Administration, and Science to Politics, Education and more. No matter what major or minor you chose, consider applying for a summer internship in Germany.

USA Interns - Steuben Schurz Gesellschaft. The majority of the summer internships, 32 so far, have been obtained via this program.. Our partnership began in 2005 when Vladmir Ilic (CSOM ’06) did a paid internship at the Frankfurt office of Cerberus, a private equity firm. More recently, USA-Interns placed four Boston College students.

  • Shan Rizwan (MCAS ’21 interned at the Mayor’s Office/Treasurer of the City of Frankfurt.
  • Yanlin Zi (MCAS ’21) did research at the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) on the Wiesbaden Campus. Read about her experience.
  • Thomas Schloo (MCAS ’20) interned for Regional Rhein Main Economic Development Frankfurt. Read about his experience.
  • Shao Yuan Liao (MCAS ‘20) did a marketing internship at 4YourBooking in Hannover.
  • Sabrina Black (MCAS ’19) interned at the International Summer University in Kassel. Read about her experience.
     

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals, a highly competitive year-long study and internship program for those interested in politics was awarded to Maria Nero (’15), Alex Hawley (’16), Hannah Chen ('21) and Pauline Flanagan ('22). 

The RISE summer internship program for biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and engineering majors is provided through the DAAD.  

Take a 10-minute tour of what life in an internship is like with Shan Rizwan (’21), who interned at the Frankfurt Mayor’s office & Treasurer!

Fulbright Fellowships

The Fulbright Fellowship provides a full stipend for one academic year after graduation from Boston College to pursue research or teach. Perhaps more importantly, it represents a prestigious life-long distinction of inestimable value later in life.

Over the past 30 years, German Studies at Boston College has enjoyed unusual success in promoting its graduating seniors (most particularly its majors and minors) for Fulbright Fellowships to Germany and Austria. Cumulatively, Boston College has sent more students to Germany and Austria as Fulbright scholars than any other university in the United States. In 2006-2007 we achieved an all-time record of thirteen, the most in the 70-year history of the Fulbright Program.

Students are strongly encouraged to begin planning for the Fulbright application as early as possible in their careers at Boston College. All who are interested should email Prof. Daniel Bowles, bowlesd@bc.edu.

General information is provided by The Council for International Exchange of Scholars.


Community

German Club

The German Club is Boston College's student-run organization for the promotion of German language and culture. German Club gets people involved in things German, not necessarily the language, outside the classroom. 

The Club has organized social functions such as Oktoberfest, cooking, a Christmas party, and German movie watch parties. Follow the German Club on Instagram.

Students in nature

German Studies Conversation Hours

Stammtisch. Come to the German Studies in Lyons 201E to get to know other students, play board games, and enjoy good German conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. For information on times this semester, e-mail Prof. Nick Block, blockni@bc.edu.



Academic Tools

Heinz Bluhm Memorial Library

An important academic asset of the Department of Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies is the Heinz Bluhm Memorial Library (Lyons 201E), containing approximately 4,000 volumes from the collection of the late Heinz Bluhm (1907-1993). Professor Bluhm was the founder (in 1968) and long-time chair (1968-1976) of the Department of Germanic Studies.

The Library consists chiefly of the Germanic volumes from Professor Bluhm's own extensive personal research library which he amassed over the period of more than six decades. Upon his death in November of 1993 Professor Bluhm bequeathed his collection to Boston College. The particular strengths of the Library are (1) Martin Luther, (2) the Age of Goethe and (3) Nietzsche, although the full spectrum of German life and letters—from the Middle Ages well into the Twentieth Century—is richly represented as well.

The Bluhm library opened in the summer of 1996, and is located in Lyons Hall 201E on the Boston College middle campus. It is open during the academic year on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Martin Luther Index Verborum

The Index Verborum is a reference guide that accesses over 323 German writings of Martin Luther, from the critical historical period of 1516 through 1525. This searchable database will facilitate scholars' ability to rapidly ascertain locations of specific words in original text sources, allowing ready access to Luther's linguistic or contextual usage, and hence, enabling analysis of his original meaning or intent.