| Programme |
German at HKU provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of both spoken and written German. Advanced courses in area studies, translation, linguistics, and literature will introduce students to a wide range of aspects of contemporary society and culture in the German-speaking countries.
Students of all faculties at HKU can study German. No previous German knowledge is required for the introductory courses. The German language courses are of the equivalent from A1 to B1/B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). German studies combines well with all other majors in the University. German will widen students´ international outlook and intercultural communication skills and enhance their chances for postgraduate studies at an international level.
B.A. Major and Minor in German
German MajorIn order to major in German, students must initially complete two introductory courses, i.e. GRMN1001 (6 credits) and GRMN1002 (6 credits). In their second, third and fourth years of study, they must take a total of at least 54 credits of courses of which up to 6 credits may be from a list of approved non-GRMN courses. These courses should normally be distributed as follows:
- 24 credits from courses at level 2XXX, of which 12 credits must be from the core language courses GRMN2001 and GRMN2002.
- 30 credits from courses at level 3XXX or 4XXX, of which 12 credits must be from the core language courses GRMN3001 (6 credits) and GRMN3002 (6 credits) and 6 credits from GRMN3022/GRMN4001/GRMN4006, a capstone course designed to allow the application of disciplinary knowledge and principles acquired in the first, second and third years.
German Minor- 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN1001 (6 credits) and GRMN1002 (6 credits) - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN2001 (6 credits) and GRMN2002 (6 credits) - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN3001 (6 credits) and GRMN3002 (6 credits)
New Major in Global and Area Studies (GLAS) from 2024/2025
From the 2024/2025 academic year onwards, the School of Modern Languages and Cultures will introduce a new undergraduate major in Global and Area Studies.German is offered both in the Major in Global and Area Studies and as a minor.
German in the Language Intensive stream of Global and Area Studies Major To study German in the Language Intensive stream, students must initially complete two introductory language courses GRMN1001 (6 credits) and GRMN1002 (6 credits) as prerequisite courses.
In their second, third and fourth years of study, they must take a total of at least 30 credits of courses: - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN2001 (6 credits) and GRMN2002 (6 credits) - 18 credits from the core language courses GRMN3001 (6 credits) and GRMN3002 (6 credits) and a GRMN content course at advanced level (6 credits)
Experiential Learning courses (6 credits): Students in the Global and Area Studies Major can choose one course from the following experiential learning activities. Students in German studies are strongly encouraged to attend an overseas immersion language course or pursue an exchange programme for one to two semesters at a university in a German-speaking country. An internship and a field trip related to German are also encouraged. Successful completion of such an experiential learning course will count as 6 credits towards the requirements in the Language and Intensive stream.
Study abroad GLAS3100. Exchange programme (one semester or one year); or GLAS3119. Overseas immersion language course Internship GLAS3111. Global and Area Studies internship Field trip GLAS3112. Field trip course
Capstone Experience courses (6 credits): Students in German studies can take the GLAS4903 Directed study capstone course (GRMN4001 or GRMN4006) designed to allow the application of disciplinary knowledge and principles acquired in the first, second and third years.
German in the Cultures and Societies stream of Global and Area Studies Major - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN1001 (6 credits) and GRMN1002 (6 credits) - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN2001 (6 credits) and GRMN2002 (6 credits)
German Minor - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN1001 (6 credits) and GRMN1002 (6 credits) - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN2001 (6 credits) and GRMN2002 (6 credits) - 12 credits from the core language courses GRMN3001 (6 credits) and GRMN3002 (6 credits)
