Major Overview
- Description
German Studies is the study of the German language and its various cultures. It teaches students high levels of competency in the German language through speaking, writing, listening and reading. This major offers a wide perspective on German society as it considers the culture and history of German-speaking people, not only in Germany, Austria and Switzerland but across the globe. Social history and culture are studied from the many centuries of German literary tradition—prose, poetry and drama, music, film and advertising. We offer this major at all levels, from beginners through to native speakers.
This major is available to students assessed by the discipline as near native speakers.
- Outcomes
Students are able to:
- show competence in the German language in the four macroskills of language acquisition—reading, writing, listening and speaking—rated according to the Common European Framework for Languages
- interact confidently and successfully in situations involving German cultural conventions
- interpret German language texts - written, audio, visual—in the light of German culture and society
- move with accuracy and skill between the English and German languages and cultures
- creatively apply language skills to a range of different contexts.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
- Courses
GRMNA German Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GRMN1405 | German Studies 5 |
|
| S2 | GRMN1406 | German Studies 6 |
|
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GRMN2812 | German Studies 12 |
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GRMN3813 | German Studies 13 |
|
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Take GRMN3407 & GRMN3408 if GRMN2409 & GRMN2410 were taken at Level 2, or GRMN3409 & GRMN3410 if GRMN2407 & GRMN2408 were taken at Level 2.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GRMN3407 | German Studies 7 |
|
| S2 | GRMN3408 | German Studies 8 | |
| N/A | GRMN3409 | German Studies 9 | |
| N/A | GRMN3410 | German Studies 10 |
Substitute Units—take units if applicable:
Students can substitute GRMN2801 Stuttgart Program (12 points) for two units at level 2/3 with the approval of the major coordinator; GRMN2814 Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices (6 points) for one unit at level 2; GRMN3802 Stuttgart Program (12 points) for two units at level 2/3 with the approval of the major coordinator; GRMN3814 Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices (6 points) for one unit at level 3.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NS | GRMN2801 | Stuttgart Program | |
| N/A | GRMN2814 | Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices | |
| NS | GRMN3802 | Stuttgart Program | |
| N/A | GRMN3814 | Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices |
|