Why Study German

Germany - a modern country with old customs; a country in which one may find barns built in the 1700's outfitted with solar panels, while an 87 year old woman tends her garden much as she has done since childhood; a country of beautiful Fachwerk (half-timber) houses, hundreds of years old, containing all the modern conveniences. Germany - a country with the legacy of the beautiful music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and many more beloved composers. Germany - a country with a heritage of writers such as Goethe, Schiller, Heine, and Hesse. Germany - the country whose heritage is reflected in the Texas communities of Fredericksburg, New Braunfels and Boerne.

But why should students at St. Mary's consider taking German language courses? Well, here are just a few reasons:

Germany is the financial leader of Europe and therefore a major player in world economic matters. St. Mary's business students are offered several business programs in German-speaking nations: one in Innsbruck, Austria and another in the small German town of Schmalkalden, where they can expand their knowledge of U.S and international business, German language and German culture and history. While knowledge of German language is not a prerequisite, it is certainly helpful to have taken some German at the main campus and know that one can go out into the town and get to know the locals and practice what was learned in the classroom.

St. Mary's students are offered summer law courses in Innsbruck, Austria, a German-speaking nation. Again, knowledge of German language can only enhance a student's experience in a foreign country, in addition to giving the locals a better image of Americans.

Music majors will necessarily study the great German masters and voice students know that proper interpretation of music depends upon knowing what the words mean and being able to pronounce and intonate properly. Over the years, students have approached the German language faculty to consult with us about proper pronunciation of German music they are presenting in both private and public performances.

Besides those above-mentioned programs in Schmalkalden and Innsbruck, St. Mary's students have participated in a number of programs at other German institutions, including universities in Berlin, Heidelberg, Frankfurt and Munich. All have returned with a greater appreciation of the necessity of understanding our global interconnectedness and are enthusiastically recruiting fellow students to take advantage of the world of opportunities available to the St. Mary's community.

St. Mary's students are currently offered German at three levels: Year I (GR 1311 and 1312); Year II (GR 2311 and 2312); Year III (LN 3311 and 3312).