UB Programs At-A-Glance

German

Department of Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030

Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: http://linguistics.buffalo.edu

Karin Michelson
Chair

David Fertig
Program Director
fertig@buffalo.edu

Robert Hoeing
Director of Undergraduate Studies
rghoeing@buffalo.edu

About the Department

The University at Buffalo's German program provides students with the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge necessary for an international career or for graduate study in German. In aulition to elementary and intermediate language instruction, the program offers many options of study, including courses in literature, linguistics, culture and business German. Many students combine a major in German with another major, thus improving their chances for career opportunities in an increasingly international marketplace.

The University at Buffalo's Linguistics department, which houses the German program, offers a comprehensive program covering the major areas of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and discourse/pragmatics. Our courses focus on the interface between language and cognition, language and society, empirically grounded linguistic theory, and both cross-linguistic studies and in-depth studies of individual languages other than English. Faculty research areas emphasize semantics, Native American Languages, linguistic theory, adult and developmental psycholinguistics, typology and universals, computational linguistics, and sociolinguistics. The department resources include a Computational Linguistics Research laboratory, a Phonetics Laboratory, and a Linguistics Library.

The Linguistics department also houses the programs in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Russian, as well as the World Languages Program. Through the latter, students may study a broad range of less frequently taught languages such as ASL, Arabic, Danish, Modern Greek, Hindi, Irish, Thai, Ukrainian.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: B.A., Minor
Graduate: M.A.

About Our Degrees

The undergraduate major program in German combines continuing development of language proficiency with the study of the culture and society of the German-speaking countries. German is the most widely spoken language in Europe, and Germany today is the economic cornerstone of the European Union. Many throughout Eastern Europe have chosen German as their second language. Any future development and job opportunities in this important arena will involve German culture and language.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent: GER 101-GER 102 Elementary German 1st-2nd semester or GER 104.
Transitional Elementary German and GER 151-GER 152 Intermediate German I-II.

Acceptance Information

Deadlines: Rolling
Number of applicants (2003-2004): 15
Number of accepted majors (2003-2004): 15
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 9
Total number of minors currently enrolled: 6

Degree Requirements

Pleas see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

In aulition to elementary, intermediate, and advanced language courses, the German program offers a broad spectrum of courses focusing on various aspects of society and culture in the German-speaking countries. Course topics include literature, folklore, mass media, sociolinguistics, and the history and structure of the German language.

New students should choose the appropriate level in consultation with advisors and program directors. Depending on previous language experience the following courses may be appropriate:


The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 24
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 20
Upper level/advanced courses is: 10

In the German program, what do student teaching assistants (TA’s) do?

TA’s generally teach introductory level courses.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

Bob Hoeing teaches everything from syntax to Grimm's Fairy Tales. David Fertig specializes in historical and sociolinguistics. His interests include ancient Germanic tribes, modern dialects, mass media, and linguistic minorities.

Special Academic Opportunities

Study Abroad

German majors and minors are strongly encouraged to consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year studying in a German-speaking country. UB participates in a program at the University of Würzburg, administered through SUNY-Albany. Students can also make arrangements to study at other German universities. For more information, see: http://wings.buffalo.edu/studyabroad/.

Awards

Students may receive special recognition from the department and from the German government.

Extracurricular Activities

The German Club is open to majors, minors, and all others interested in German. For information, please call 716-645-2177.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

  • Art History
  • Business Administration
  • Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • English
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary: International Studies


Courses Outside the Major that Could Improve Employment Opportunities

Depending on a student's interests, courses in a wide range of departments could be relevant and useful. For those interested in teaching, there are state-mandated courses. Those interested in areas such as business or international relations should take courses in the appropriate programs.

Career Information

Career Choices

  • Announcer (TV/radio)
  • Anthropological linguist
  • Customs inspector
  • Diplomat
  • Educator
  • Foreign student advisor
  • Immigration inspector
  • Import/export agent
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Public relations specialist

Links to Further Information About This Program