The German minor program enriches students’ academic and career opportunities by providing them with skills that complement many majors at SSU. German helps students understand themselves as participants in their own culture. It also helps them understand U.S. history and culture, since German-Americans represent the largest single heritage population. Moreover, German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. Knowing German also opens up opportunities to connect with more than 120 million native speakers worldwide. Additionally, the study of German prepares students to be competitive for graduate school, since many graduate programs require or recommend German. German minors may also have a distinct advantage entering a professional career, in fields such as international business, economics, science, history, global studies, music, or teaching. The SSU German program offers a variety of courses that provide students with linguistic skills and cultural knowledge of the German-speaking world. Students are encouraged to participate in the CSU International Programs and take courses in Germany, which may be counted toward the minor. Students wishing to study abroad are strongly encouraged to consult with their German advisor to ensure that courses taken abroad can be applied to the German minor. A minimum of 8 of the 21 required units must be taken at SSU.
For information about the Bachelor of Arts in the Special Major: German Cultural Studies, see Interdisciplinary Studies. You may also contact the coordinator Michaela Grobbel (grobbel@sonoma.edu; 707.664.2673).
Programs Offered
- Minor in German