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.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. 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
  2. interact confidently and successfully in situations involving German cultural conventions
  3. interpret German language texts—written, audio, visual—in the light of German culture and society
  4. move with accuracy and skill between the English and German languages and cultures
  5. 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.

Incompatibilities

WACE German: GER2A/2B or higher

Courses

GRMNB 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
SS
summer teaching period
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, S2 GRMN1401 German Beginners 1 None
S2, SS GRMN1402 German Beginners 2
Prerequisites
GRMN1401 German Beginners 1 or equivalent, with the consent of the convener
Incompatibility
GRMN1102 German Beginners II

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 GRMN2002 German Studies 3B
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
level 1 Unit(s) GRMN1402 German Beginners 2
Incompatibility
GRMN2202 German Beginners Bridging Elective
S1 GRMN2403 German Studies 3
Prerequisites
GRMN1402 German Beginners 2
Incompatibility
GRMN2202 German Beginners Bridging Elective
S2 GRMN2404 German Studies 4
Prerequisites
GRMN2403 German Studies 3
Incompatibility
GRMN2204 German Intermediate II

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 GRMN3405 German Studies 5
Prerequisites
GRMN2404 German Studies 4
or GRMN2204 German Intermediate II
Incompatibility
GRMN3305 German Advanced I
S2 GRMN3406 German Studies 6
Prerequisites
GRMN3405 German Studies 5
or GRMN3305 German Advanced I
Incompatibility
GRMN3306 German Advanced II
S1 GRMN3813 German Studies 13
Prerequisites
one of GRMN2204 German Intermediate II.
GRMN2205 German Advanced I.
GRMN2207 German Advanced III.
GRMN2208 German Advanced IV.
GRMN3307 German Advanced III.
GRMN3308 German Advanced IV.
GRMN2404 German Studies 4.
GRMN2405 German Studies 5.
GRMN2406 German Studies 6.
GRMN2407 German Studies 7.
GRMN2408 German Studies 8
Incompatibility
GRMN2213 German Youth on Stage

Substitute Units—take units if applicable:

Degree-specific major units

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.

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
Prerequisites
GRMN1402 German Studies 2
OR GRMN1404 German Studies 4.
GRMN2404 German Studies 4
OR GRMN1406 German Studies 6.
GRMN2406 German Studies 6.
GRMN3406 German Studies 6
N/A GRMN2814 Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices
Prerequisites
GRMN1403 German Studies 3
or GRMN2403 German Studies 3
or GRMN1405 German Studies 5
or by consent of convenor
NS GRMN3802 Stuttgart Program
Prerequisites
GRMN1404 German Studies 4.
GRMN2404 German Studies 4
OR GRMN1406 German Studies 6.
GRMN2406 German Studies 6.
GRMN3406 German Studies 6
N/A GRMN3814 Australian-Japanese-German Traditions and Practices
Prerequisites
GRMN1404/2404 German Studies 4
or GRMN 1405/2405/3405 German Studies 5
or GRMN1406/2406/3406 German Studies 6
or by consent of convener