Introducing German Studies
Why Study German?
The School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and German Studies in particular, is well-known for its international links. At the personal and professional level we have many connections with colleagues and universities in Germany (e.g. Berlin , Heidelberg , Cologne , Hanover ). Many of our students in later years, especially at 4th year (Honours) level, spend time in Germany - some up to two semesters at a university, others up to eight weeks in intensive language courses. Our Study Abroad program is partly supported both by Monash International, and by the German government. In addition, we maintain contact at the local level with German companies and cultural institutions (Goethe Institute, German Chamber of Commerce, Siemens, Bosch).
- Improve your employment opportunities: learning German may lead to greater employment options including tourism, trade and commerce, the hospitality industry, medicine, diplomacy, journalism, teaching, translation and interpreting.
- Experience another way of life and expand your horizons: learning the German language gives an insight into another culture and develops intercultural understanding.
- Train your brain: language students develop better problem solving skills, communication skills and self-confidence.
- Be a world player: Germany plays a major role in international relations, trade and commerce, politics, tourism, medicine and the Arts.
- German has the edge over some languages in Australia because it is a world language, a trade language and a community language. It is a national language in Germany , Austria , Switzerland , Luxembourg , Liechtenstein , and is spoken by minority groups in many countries around the world, including a large group in Australia .
Can you afford not to study German?
For Business: Germany is in the top five economies in the world and the most powerful in Europe . In economically powerful Japan , 68% of Japanese students study German.
For Politics: Germany is a powerful country in Europe . If your future finds you in Foreign affairs, International Trade, Communication or National Defence, German is a must.
For the Arts: From Beethoven to Rammstein, from Goethe to Kafka, from 'Metropolis' to 'Lola rennt': can you study art without German?
For Sport: Germany has the second best soccer team in the world with 7 world championship finals and 3 wins. Michael Schuhmacher is the highest paid racing driver in the world.
For Tourism: Germans are the biggest tourism spenders in the world. A tourism degree without German cuts your opportunities in half.
Coordination with all Monash Degrees
German may be studied at Monash no matter what degree is being undertaken. German Studies may be taken as an Arts subject, as part of a double degree with Arts, or as an inter-faculty subject with any other degree. Many of the Department's students are enrolled in Science, Engineering, Education, Law and Economics.
The Course Structure
The flexible structure allows students to specialise in areas of interest while developing a broader overall understanding of the German language and the cultures of the German speaking countries. Students can complete a major sequence (3 years), a minor sequence (2 years) or a one-year sequence. Students undertake language study and culture and linguistics subjects. Students may also enrol in a wide range of optional subjects, including literature, culture, drama, history, linguistics, and European studies. For more detailed information on subjects and course structure, please refer to Undergraduate Enrolment Information and the Monash University Undergraduate Handbook.
German Studies at Monash is made up of three different components: language, culture and linguistics. That means, if you study German you will not only learn how to write, read and speak German but you will learn about the functioning of the language and you will be introduced to the culture of the German-speaking countries.
Ten levels of language cater for students of all levels of proficiency: beginners (Levels 1-2), intermediate (Levels 3-4), post-VCE (Levels 5-6), advanced and near-native speakers (Levels 7-10).
In the culture component you are introduced to German literature, history, philosophy, politics, and society. In the first year students are given an overview of the history of the German speaking countries. In addition they read and discuss a variety of short texts relating to the study of German culture. In the second year students proceed to a more in-depth study of German culture and history in the late 18th and 19th centuries, and in the third year the focus is on German culture and history in the 20th century.
Linguistics, the third component of our German course, is the systematic study of the nature and use of language. You will get acquainted with the structures of the German language, the processes of learning a first and second language, and the ways in which language changes and the role it plays in society.
In second and third year apart from doing your core subjects you will be given a choice of additional subjects focusing on specific areas of German culture and linguistics.
Extra-curricular Support
The Monash University German Club is one of the most active clubs on campus. They hold weekly "Kaffee und Kuchen" sessions and various events and activities such as Film Nights, Pub Nights, Trivia Nights and an annual dinner at a German restaurant.
Conversation classes are held regularly for students wishing to improve their speaking skills. Word games, role-plays and discussions integrate material introduced in class and help develop confidence and fluency.
Study Abroad
German students are encouraged to apply for scholarships offered by Monash International and the German Academic Exchange Service, and are assisted in the application process, in choosing and contacting a German, Swiss or Austrian University , and in choosing subjects to study at that institution. Information sessions are held regularly beginning in May each year. Students of German Studies have been very successful in the past, winning around ten scholarships every year.
Honours and Postgraduate Study
German Studies offers an Honours year (4th year comprising coursework and research) which may be taken in either a literature, culture or linguistics stream. Postgraduate courses offered include Master (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in German Studies. The Master degree and Doctorate are research degrees. The coursework degree Master of Translation Studies is currenty being restructured and is proposed to be offered in 2005.
Other courses
Monash Short Courses runs evening classes for adults, in which the German Studies Program provides a German course. A number of levels are offered, depending on numbers and demand.
Special training courses for teachers who wish to teach German (LOTE) are held regularly at metropolitan and rural campuses. For more information please contact Tina Weller or Heinz Kreutz.