Program Overview

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Germanic Studies: German Business & Commercial Studies, BALAS

The German Business and Commercial Studies concentration focuses on the language and customs of the business world in German-speaking countries, together with study of international affairs and commerce, especially trade with Europe.

Overview

• The program is designed for students who wish to major in Germanic Studies with a concentration in German Business & Commercial Studies.
• It is part of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Germanic Studies.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
• Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 34 hours in German.
• Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

• The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

• Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements.
• Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

General Education Courses

• Composition I: 4-6 hours
• Advanced Composition: 3 hours
• Humanities & the Arts (6 hours): 6 hours
• Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours): 6 hours
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours): 6 hours
• Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course): 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course): 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course): 3 hours
• Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I): 6-10 hours
• Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required): 0-20 hours

Major Requirements

• Minimum of 34 hours of German courses including:
  • GER 211: Conversation and Writing I: 3 hours
  • GER 212: Conversation and Writing II: 3 hours
  • GER 320: German for Business: 3 hours
  • GER 321: German for Economics: 3 hours
  • GER 420: German Cultural History: 4 hours
• Select 18 hours, including at least 12 hours of 300- and 400- level coursework from this list:
  • GER 103: Intermediate German I
  • GER 104: Intermediate German II
  • GER 201: German Popular Culture
  • GER 205: Germany and Europe
  • GER 250: Grimms' Fairy Tales - ACP
  • or GER 251: Grimm's Fairy Tales in Context
  • GER 260: The Holocaust in Context - ACP
  • or GER 261: The Holocaust in Context
  • GER 270: Sexuality and Literature
  • GER 331: Intro to German Literature
  • GER 332: German Literature and Culture
  • GER 385: Politics of the European Union
  • GER 401: Global Issues in German
  • GER 403: German-English Translation: Theory & Practice
  • GER 465: German Linguistics
  • GER 470: Middle Ages to Baroque
  • GER 471: Enlightenment to Romanticism
  • GER 472: Realism to Expressionism
  • GER 473: 1920s to Today
  • GER 493: German Cinema I
  • GER 494: German Cinema II

Sample Sequence

• This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion.
• All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.

First Year

• First Semester:
  • Free elective course: 1 hour
  • Language Other than English (3rd level): 4 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Composition I or General Education course: 4 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • Language Other than English (4th level): 4 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • General Education course or Composition I: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • GER 211: 3 hours
  • GER course from list: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 2 hours
• Second Semester:
  • GER 212: 3 hours
  • GER course from list: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • GER 320: 3 hours
  • GER 300-400 level course from list: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • GER 321: 3 hours
  • GER 300-400 level course from list: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • GER 300-400 level course from list: 3 hours
  • General Education Course: 3 hours
  • GER 300- 400 level course from list: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • GER 420: 4 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 2 hours

Total Hours

• Total Hours: 120 hours

Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures

• Germanic Languages & Literatures Faculty
• German advising

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

• College of LAS admissions & requirements

Course Catalog Resources

• Academic Calendar
• Class Schedule
• Student Affairs
• Registration, Tuition, and Cost Information

Universitywide Resources

• Emergency Services
• University Calendars
• University Directory
• Student Assistance Center
• Health and Wellness
• Parents and Families
• University COVID-19 Information

About Illinois

• VC of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Land Acknowledgement
• University Research and Innovation
• Technology Services
• Illinois International
• University Strategic Plan
• University of Illinois System

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