Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
German, Scandinavian, Dutch B.A.German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch
College of Liberal Arts
The Department of German, Scandinavian, and Dutch offers a major, several minors, and a broad range of courses in the languages, literatures, intellectual history, media, cultures of Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The German, Scandinavian, Dutch (GSD) major gives students the flexibility either to combine coursework in any of the languages and literatures of the department or to designate an emphasis in German or in Scandinavian and Finnish. Many of our students also have majors in such fields as business, computer science, biology, English, history, linguistics, or political science, or have interdisciplinary concentrations like global, media, and sustainability studies. In the GSD major, students develop advanced language competency, come to understand changing cultural and social contexts in relation to various forms of media (from oral and manuscript traditions to book culture, film, and hypermedia), and deepen their interdisciplinary understanding of other cultures. A major in GSD is ideally suited for students wishing to work in public, private, and non-profit organization fields, especially in areas where multilingual and transcultural knowledge is essential. The department recommends study abroad in the target language for at least six months to strengthen cultural familiarity and language fluency. Students may apply appropriate study abroad coursework to the major or minors. Minors are available in Dutch, German, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Austrian & Central European Studies.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Beginning and Intermediate Language Courses
These courses, or equivalent, must be taken in sequential order. In select cases, students with advanced proficiency may be exempt from taking some or all of these courses. See the departmental adviser for more information.
Dutch
Take 0 - 4 course(s) totaling 0 - 20 credit(s) from the following:
·
DTCH 1001 - Beginning Dutch
(5.0 cr)
·
DTCH 1002 - Beginning Dutch
(5.0 cr)
·
DTCH 1003 - Intermediate Dutch
(5.0 cr)
·
DTCH 1004 - Intermediate Dutch
(5.0 cr)
or
Finnish
Take 0 - 4 course(s) totaling 0 - 20 credit(s) from the following:
·
FIN 1001 - Beginning Finnish I
(5.0 cr)
·
FIN 1002 - Beginning Finnish II
(5.0 cr)
·
FIN 1003 - Intermediate Finnish I
(5.0 cr)
·
FIN 1004 - Intermediate Finnish II
(5.0 cr)
or
German
Students who place above GER 1001 may take GER 1022 in place of GER 1001 and 1002.
Take 0 - 4 course(s) totaling 0 - 20 credit(s) from the following:
·
GER 1001 - Beginning German
(5.0 cr)
·
GER 1002 - Beginning German
(5.0 cr)
·
GER 1022 - Beginning German Review
(5.0 cr)
·
GER 1003 - Intermediate German
(5.0 cr)
·
GER 1004 - Intermediate German
(5.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
Dutch, or Finnish, or German, or Norwegian, or Swedish.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language.
CLA degrees require students to complete 48 credits of upper division coursework taken at the 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx level. For a BA at least 18 of the 48 upper division credits must be outside of the major. For some specific majors, there are exceptions to this requirement.
This program requires 18 upper division credits outside the major. See your advisor for a list of courses that can or cannot be used to meet this requirement.
The German, Scandinavian, Dutch (GSD) major consists of a minimum of 33 upper division (3xxx-5xxx) credits, of which 17 credits must be taken at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. Students who take courses taught in English will integrate work in the language of emphasis, as directed by the course instructor or the director of undergraduate studies. The major program must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
Students may combine coursework across the department's designators, or to concentrate on one area by declaring an emphasis (either German or Scandinavian & Finnish). Students complete two core courses; one course in each of 3 competencies (Advanced Language; Language & Textual Analysis; Critical Literacy & Global Understanding); 15 elective credits (usually five courses); and a senior capstone course. In order to add a German or Scandinavian & Finnish emphasis to your transcript, courses in the competencies, and 3 of 5 electives must be in the appropriate designator(s).
All CLA freshmen must complete the FY experience sequence.
Advanced Language
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
DTCH 3011W - Conversation and Composition
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FIN 3011 - Advanced Finnish
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3011W - Conversation and Composition
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3011W - Readings in Scandinavian Languages
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Language & Textual Analysis
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
30xx in any language offered by the Department
·
DTCH 3310 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3104W - Reading and Analysis of German Literature
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 34xx
·
GER 37xx
·
GER 57xx
·
SCAN 3505 - Scandinavian Fiction From 1890 to Present
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3601 {Inactive}
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3602 - The Literary Fairy Tale in Scandinavia
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3605 - The Scandinavian Short Story
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3613 - Children's Literature in Scandinavia
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 57xx
Critical Literacy & Global Understanding
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
GER 3501 - Contemporary Germany
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3601 - German Medieval Literature
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3604W - Introduction to German Cinema
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3641 - German Folklore
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3651 - Thinking Environment: Green Culture, German Literature and Global Debates
[LITR, ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3655 - Cultures of Control and Surveillance in Germany and the US
[HIS, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3501W - Scandinavian Culture Past and Present
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3502 - Scandinavian Myths
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3503 - Scandinavian Folklore
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3504 - Emigration, Immigration, Integration: The Nordic Experience
[HIS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3614 - Blood on Snow: Scandinavian Thrillers in Fiction and Film
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3634 - Scandinavian Women Writers
[LITR, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
Study abroad course (requires prior approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies)
Electives
Up to one elective may be taken outside of the GSD department, but must be pre-approved by the departmental adviser or director of undergraduate studies.
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
DTCH 3xxx
·
FIN 3xxx
·
GER 3xxx
·
GER 5xxx
·
SCAN 3xxx
·
SCAN 5xxx
Senior Capstone Course
For the senior capstone course, students take a GER 5xxx course (except GER 5011) or a SCAN 5xxx course or the Major Project Seminar, GSD 3451W/V. Students who choose to complete a German emphasis or Scandinavian & Finnish emphasis should complete their senior capstone course under the corresponding designator.
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
GER 5xxx
·
SCAN 5xxx
·
GSD 3451V - Honors Major Project Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GSD 3451W - Major Project Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
DTCH 3011W - Conversation and Composition
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3011W - Conversation and Composition
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
GER 3104W - Reading and Analysis of German Literature
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 3604W - Introduction to German Cinema
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GSD 3451V - Honors Major Project Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GSD 3451W - Major Project Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GSD 3511W - Vikings, Knights, and Reformers: German and European Culture and Controversies to 1700
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
GSD 3512W - Imagined Communities: German and European, Culture and Controversies, 1700 to Present
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SCAN 3011W - Readings in Scandinavian Languages
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
German
Students who choose to complete the German emphasis must fulfill all three competencies (Advanced Language; Language & Textual Analysis; Critical Literacy & Global Understanding) with GER courses. Additionally, at least 3 of the 5 required electives must also be GER. If a 5xxx course is chosen as the senior capstone, it must be a GER 5xxx. The major program must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
Scandinavian & Finnish
Students who choose to complete the Scandinavian & Finnish emphasis must fulfill all three competencies (Advanced Language; Language & Textual Analysis; Critical Literacy & Global Understanding) with SCAN or FIN 3xxx or 5xxx courses. Additionally, at least 3 of the 5 required electives must also be SCAN or FIN 3xxx or 5xxx. If a 5xxx course is chosen as the senior capstone, it must be a SCAN or FIN 5xxx course. The major program must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
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|
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 1001/Dtch 4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 1002/Dtch 4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 1003/Dtch 4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 1004/Dtch 4004 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Fin 1001/4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Fin 1002/4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Fin 1003/4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Fin 1004/4004 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ger 1001/Ger 4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ger 1002/Ger 4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ger 1003/Ger 4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Nor 1001/4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Nor 1002/4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Nor 1003/4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Nor 1004/4004 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Swed 1001/4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Swed 1002/4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Swed 1003/4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Swed 1004/4004 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 3011W/Dtch 4011 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Fin 3011/Fin 4011 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Scan 3011W/Scan 4011 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spr & Summer Odd Yr |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Scan 3605/Scan 5605 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ger 3651/Ger 5651 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MEST 3502/Scan 3502 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Scan 3614/Scan 5614 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Scan 3634/Scan 5634 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GSD 3451V/GSD 3451W |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GSD 3451V/GSD 3451W |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Dtch 3011W/Dtch 4011 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GSD 3451V/GSD 3451W |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GSD 3451V/GSD 3451W |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Scan 3011W/Scan 4011 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |