German
Why Study German?
Studying German at Bowling Green provides undergraduate students insight into some of the oldest and richest cultural traditions in Europe. It also gives students a firm grasp on the leading European economies. Spoken in the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, German is the most frequently used language in business and tourism after English. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, German has also become the most important foreign language in Eastern Europe.
The curriculum in German is designed to provide students with a wide range of courses that will prepare students for careers in a variety of fields. Students have the opportunity to develop their speaking, reading, writing and listening skills in German in a series of language, culture, literature and film courses. Bowling Green German majors have pursued careers in international business and politics, literature, journalism, art, education, law, history, medicine, the sciences, music and film.
German majors and minors are also encouraged to spend at least one year abroad on our academic year abroad program at the University of Salzburg/Austria or through the Federation of German-American Club Exchange Scholarship in Germany. The Bowling Green State University Academic Year in Salzburg, Austria is designed to help American students perfect language skills in German and gain first-hand knowledge of the culture of German-speaking countries while earning academic credit in a variety of subject areas.
German is the first language of more than 100 million people and an international medium of commerce, science, and travel. At least one in five Americans have German-speaking ancestors. The economies of German-speaking countries (the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein) are central to the EU and the rest of the world. Germany is a top investor in the U.S. German contributions in music, philosophy, natural sciences, literature and the visual arts have enriched world culture. Since the first German settlers in 1683, German Americans from Babe Ruth to Albert Einstein have helped form our heritage.
High School Preparation
High school students who took German should participate in a placement interview at BGSU. Usually, two to three years of high school German equals one year at college and three to four years equals two. Students who want to pursue German studies should take as much German as possible. Students with a strong background are frequently able to complete a double major. Students should follow a college preparatory curriculum that includes four units (credits) of English, three units of college preparatory mathematics, three units of science, three units of social studies, two units of the same foreign language and one unit of the visual or performing arts. Students who have not taken all these recommended courses may be required to make up any deficiencies.
Joseph L. Gray III Scholarship
The Joseph L. Gray, III German Scholarship awards up to $500 to an incoming freshman from Ohio who has declared a major in German. The application for this scholarship is now available at bgsu.academicworks.com.
Updated: 10/29/2021 03:16PM