Germanic Studies
The Department of Germanic Studies is part of the School of Languages and Cultures (SLC).
About the major
A major in Germanic Studies involves the study of both German language and culture including literature, film, history and society. All students, whether they come to the department as beginners in the language, with an HSC in German, or as background speakers, can complete a major in Germanic Studies.
You can begin learning German language at different entry levels from beginners to the advanced level. The exit level is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1 – C2), which guarantees the international comparability and transferability of your language skills. German cultural studies include seminars on German literature, film, history, society from the 17th century to the present, as well as language pedagogy. Through these seminars, you can gain an in-depth understanding of German speaking countries and their culture. You can also participate in our exchange program with universities in Bamberg, Berlin, Cologne, Constance, Freiburg, Munich and Vienna as part of your major.
A German major combines well with any major in Arts and Social Sciences as well as with Law, Business and the Sciences. If you are not majoring in German, you can take German units as electives. If you have already completed your BA, you can still study German by taking the Diploma of Language Studies.
Graduates with German language skills and a good understanding of German culture and society can take advantage of opportunities both in Australia and overseas or may continue to honours and postgraduate studies.
Pathways through the major
A major in Germanic Studies requires at least 36 senior credit points including at least six credit points of culture units at 3000 level.
Units of study for the major can be found in the Table A unit of study table for Germanic Studies. The table shows units of study on offer in the current handbook year. You may find information regarding a full list of units of study available to the major on the departmental website.
If you have completed Junior German 1 and 2 the department advises that of the 36 credit points required for the major, 24 credit points must be gained in language units of study. You must also include 'Reading Comprehension and Text Study' (GRMN2631) as part of your non-language units of study.
If you have completed Junior German 3 and 4 the department advises that of the 36 senior credit points required for your major, 12 must be from culture units of study.
If you have completed Junior German 5 and 6 the department advises that of the 36 senior credit points required for your major, 24 must be from culture units of study.
All German language levels are tied to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Equivalent CEFR levels are given below.
| Pathway 1: If you have little or no experience of the language | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Year | S1 |
GRMN1111 Junior German 1 CEFR A1 |
| S2 |
GRMN1122 Junior German 2 CEFR A2 |
|
| Second Year | S1 |
GRMN2611 Senior German 1 CEFR B1/1 AND GRMNS2631 Reading Comprehension and Text Study |
| S2 |
GRMN2612 Senior German 2 CEFR B1/2 |
|
| Third Year | S1 |
GRMN2613 Senior German 3 CEFR B2/1 |
| S2 |
GRMN2614 Senior German 4 CEFR B2/1 AND Any senior-advanced (3000 level) unit of study listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
|
| Pathway 2: If you completed the HSC Beginners course (with a mark above 70) or German Continuers (with a mark below 80), or equivalent | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Year | S1 |
GRMN1211 Junior German 3 CEFR B1/1 |
| S2 |
GRMN1222 Junior German 4 CEFR B1/2 |
|
| Second Year | S1 |
GRMN2613 Senior German 3 CEFR B2/1 AND Any senior unit of study listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
| S2 |
GRMN2614 Senior German 4 CEFR B2/1 |
|
| Third Year | S1 |
GRMN2615 Senior German 5 CEFR B2/2 |
| S2 |
GRMN2616 Senior German 6 CEFR B2/2 AND Any senior-advanced (3000 level) unit of study listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
|
| Pathway 3: If you completed the HSC German Extension course or the HSC German Continuers course (with a mark above 80), or equivalent | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Year | S1 |
GRMN1311 Junior German 5 CEFR B2/2 |
| S2 |
GRMN1322 Junior German 6 CEFR B2/2 |
|
| Second Year | S1 |
GRMN2617 Senior German 7 CEFR C1 AND Any senior unit of study listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
| S2 |
GRMN2618 Senior German 8 CEFR C2 |
|
| Third Year | S1 | Any senior unit of study including senior advanced (3000 level) listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
| S2 |
A senior-advanced (3000 level) unit of study listed under Culture in the unit of study table AND Any senior unit of study including senior advanced (3000 level) listed under Culture in the unit of study table |
|
You are advised to enrol according to the above progressions; however some variation of enrolment may be required at the commencement of the next semester should the department, at its discretion, consider it appropriate. For students with significantly advanced or near native language competency, the requirement for language units of study can be replaced by German culture units. In this case, you need to seek the department's approval. In all cases the department reserves the right to determine the level of senior German language to be taken by a student.
If you are going on exchange and wish to count an exchange unit towards a major in Germanic Studies, you must discuss your choice of units of study at the host university with the exchange coordinator in the department and seek approval for your chosen units of study.
Language units of study
All language units of study are designed to develop your ability to communicate and negotiate in a wider cultural and linguistic context and enhance your awareness of cross-cultural issues. They aim to develop your competency in communication, your analytical skills, your critical and independent thinking and the ability to work in a team.
The language program distinguishes three broad levels of entry into its units. In all cases, you will be directed by the Department as to the appropriate language unit in which you should enrol. The Department’s language units are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Students at each level will also reach a proficiency equivalent to one of the German certificates such as Goethe-Zertifikat A2, Goethe-Zertifikat B1, Goethe-Zertifikat B2 or Goethe-Zertifikat C1 / TestDaF (TDN5).
Beginners Level
Language acquisition from beginners level to third-year in the four skills of reading, writing, aural comprehension and speaking, as well as the comprehensive grammar of the German language (CEFR A1-B2).
Post-HSC
Language acquisition from post-HSC level to third-year in the four skills of reading, writing, aural comprehension and speaking, as well as the comprehensive grammar of the German language (CEFR B1-C2).
The four competence categories are benchmarked at the end of each semester against the Common European Reference Framework for Languages (CEFR).
German literary and cultural studies
Our cultural program offers literary, historical, media and linguistic studies in German from an introductory overview to more specialised cultural, literary, media and linguistic analyses. In these cultural units you learn the major methodological approaches and are encouraged to conduct independent research with the aim of expanding the intellectual scope of the major. All cultural units are at senior level and would normally require prior completion of 12 credit points of German language at junior level. Students lacking the formal prerequisite who nevertheless believe their knowledge of German is sufficient are invited to discuss the matter with the department, as the prerequisite may be waived. Some of these senior units of study may be counted towards majors in other interdisciplinary areas of study.
All students with a major in German will take at least two cultural units. Disciplinary methodologies taught include:
- Literary and Cultural Studies
- Film and Media Studies
- Historical Studies
- Studies in German as a Foreign Language and Applied Linguistics
Honours
All students may qualify for the honours year, regardless of the language level at which they commenced. Admission to honours requires a major in Germanic Studies with an average of 70% or above.
The department offers four honours scholarships each year (Emilie M. Schweitzer Honours Scholarships in German Studies). Details of the scholarship can be obtained from the office of the School of Languages and Cultures.
Contact/further information
Department website: sydney.edu.au/arts/german
Chair of Department and Honours Coordinator: Dr Andrea Bandhauer
Exchange: Dr Tristan Lay
DAAD-Lecturer: Dr Ada Bieber