The German Studies major is a flexible, interdisciplinary program for students interested in German culture, history, art or other topic specific to German speaking countries. The major draws upon Webster University's strengths in both the liberal arts and professional schools. Students will have the opportunity to study at Webster’s Vienna campus. Alongside their rigorous academic training, German studies majors may also opt to do an internship in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate broad knowledge of German culture and language. They will be well-equipped for international careers in business, the arts, and government service or graduate study in a range of professional and liberal arts fields.

The major is offered for students based in St. Louis or at any of our European campuses.

• 45 credit hours in German language and literature, divided into the following distribution areas
  • 3 credits in History and Politics of a German speaking country
  • 3 credits in Commerce and Communications in a German speaking country
  • 3 credits in Arts and Expression in a German speaking country
  • 12 credits in German language courses 1000-2000 (not including workshops)
  • 24 credits in German language / literature courses 3000-4000
• 27 general education credit hours
• 56 elective credit hours

• At least one term of study at Webster University’s campus in Vienna (Students may, with the approval of the program director, also fulfill this requirement at a university in a German-speaking country in Europe that is outside the Webster network)
• German Studies Overview (ILC 4700). May be taken for 0 or 1 credit.

An asterisk indicates that the course must have an appropriate subtitle or relevant course-content to qualify toward the major. Prerequisites may be waived by department offering the course.  

Other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Program Director.

History & Politics

• HIST 2220 Modern Europe (may be repeated if topics differ) 
• HIST 2310 Encounters with History*
• HIST 3060 History Roundtable* (may be repeated if topics differ)
• HIST 4200 Advanced Studies in European History
• HIST 4600 History Seminar* (may be repeated if topic differs)
• POLT 3400 Comparative Politics*
• POLT 4100 Advanced Studies in International Politics*
• POLT 4400 Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics*
• POLT 4600 Political Science Seminar*

 Communications

• JOUR 3190 Topic in International Journalism
• JOUR 4220 Advanced Global Journalism
• MEDC 3260 International Communications/INTL 3260
• ILC 2150 Topics in Culture*
• ILC 3150 Culture and Civilization*
• ILC 4150 Contemporary Issues*
• ILC 4650 Advanced Topics*
• INTL 4600 International Relations Seminar

Arts & Expression

• FLST 2060 Modern World Cinema
• FLST 3160 Topics in Film Studies *
• GNST 1400 Civilization and the Arts*
• THEA 2040 History of the Theater: Eighteenth Cent to Modern
• THEA 3030 Topics in the Theater*
• THEA 3040 Topics in the Theater*
• ARHS 2350 Introductory Topics in Art History*
• ARHS 3360 History of Modern Art*
• ARHS 4350 Topics in Art History*
• PHIL 2080  Topics in Philosophy*
• PHIL 4050  Topics in the History of Philosophy*

ARHS 2350 Introductory Topics in Art History (3)

Introduces basic themes and topics in art history and criticism. Topics will include various approaches and issues relating to the study of art history, the curating and collecting of art, artists' biographies, introduction to art movement, and art in corporate settings. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

ARHS 3360 History of Modern Art (3)

Surveys art created in Europe and America in the nineteenth century and introduces the early modern period, especially concentrating on the developments in early twentieth-century art related to the important political forces of the day, the Russian Revolution and World War I. Prerequisites: ARHS 2200 and ARHS 2210.

ARHS 4350 Topics in Art History (3)

In-depth study of particular issues in the history and criticism/theory of art. Topics vary from semester to semester: e.g., women artists; performance art; printmaking: history, appreciation, and collecting; Chinese landscape painting; the Japanese garden; Mughal architecture; the art in the current decade. Prerequisites: ARHS 2200 and ARHS 2210. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

FLST 2060 Modern World Cinema (4)

Students learn the current trends, styles, and significant development in the field of cinema. Prerequisite: FILM 2050.

FLST 3160 Topics in Film Studies (3)

This course deals with topics related to film theory and criticism. Classes may focus on genre, individual artists, specific studios, historical eras, and film in other cultures. Prerequisite: FLST 1800 OR FLST 2060. May be repeated for credit, if content differs.

GNST 1400 Civilization and the Arts (2-4)

An interdisciplinary study in history and the humanities. Each unit of this course focuses on a single city in a particular historical era and on its total cultural context (art, literature, philosophy, politics, music, and theatre). A major goal is to deepen the student's understanding of civilization, human values, and individual creativeness. GNST 1400 is coded for "Historical Consciousness" and "Humanities." May be repeated for credit if content differs.

HIST 2220 Modern Europe (3)

Overview of the political, social, and cultural history of Europe from the Reformation to the present. Chronological periods or themes vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

HIST 2310 Encounters with History (3)

A topics course devoted to an in-depth examination of chronological subperiods or distinctive themes in history. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

HIST 3060 History Roundtable (3)

A course allowing for in-depth examination of distinctive themes and topics in history in a seminar setting. There will be a special emphasis on the various ways in which events have been interpreted and reinterpreted by historians and by society. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of history or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

HIST 4200 Advanced Studies in European History (3)

Allows students to pursue advanced studies in a wide variety of subfields of European history. Subject matter varies from semester to semester. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of European history or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

ILC 2150 Topics in Culture(s) (1-3)

An introduction to the culture (customs) and Culture (history, literature, arts) of a particular region or country taught by faculty trained and experienced in the target culture and language. Through single or multiple themes, students will learn about the historical and sociopolitical contexts for areas where the target culture differs significantly from U.S. culture. Students will also learn linguistic tools (greetings, polite and ceremonial formulas, culturally specific terms that do not exist in English) that would help them establish contact with the peoples of the target region. Those interested in more extensive language study should start with elementary language courses instead. The course may be repeated for credit if the content differs.

ILC 4150 Contemporary Issues (1-3)

Studies contemporary news issues from French-, German-, or Spanish-speaking countries, using radio broadcasts, TV programs recorded via satellite, the World Wide Web, etc. The study of cultures and the understanding of sociohistorical and political events leading to contemporary issues are important components of these courses. Prerequisite: advanced level in appropriate language. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 4600 International Relations Seminar (3)

In-depth analysis of international relations. Prerequisites: usually senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

JOUR 3190 Topics in International Journalism (3)

This course focuses on a particular facet of international media. Content may vary from semester to semester. For example, it may focus on the British Media System and History one semester, while focusing on Press Freedom from Lenin to Yeltsin in another. Prerequisite: JOUR 3080 OR permission of the instructor.

JOUR 4220 Advanced Global Journalism (3)

Students learn six aspects of mass media in countries representing a spectrum of economic and political systems: the nature and treatment of the news; socialization and social control; persuasion and opinion functions; the entertainment function; the organizational and economic structure; and the concept and future of press freedom. The course incorporates the use of shortwave and satellite technology to examine international broadcasts. Prerequisite: JOUR 3080. May be repeated for credit if taken at international campuses.

MEDC 3260 International Communications (3)

Students learn the philosophy, process, problems, and potentials of communication across cultural boundaries by studying the interrelationships between communications and social, political, economic, and cultural factors that affect international communications. Cross-listed with INTL 3260. May be repeated for credit, if taken at international campuses.

PHIL 2080 Topics in Philosophy (3)

Study of text or topic in a special area of philosophy. Contents and methodology on an introductory level. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

PHIL 4050 Topics in the History of Philosophy (3)

Advanced undergraduate study of texts or topics from the history of philosophy. Specific topics are decided on in consultation between philosophy majors and faculty prior to offering the course. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of philosophy or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

POLT 3400 Comparative Politics (3)

Examines political institutions and issues in two or more political systems, or focuses in-depth on the politics of a country or geographic area. Prerequisite: POLT 1080, POLT 2250, POLT 2500, POLT 2550, or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

POLT 4100 Advanced Studies in International Politics (3-4)

Allows students to pursue advanced studies in international politics or one of its subfields. Specific subject matter varies from semester to semester. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of political science (international or comparative focus) or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

POLT 4400 Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics (3-4)

Allows students to do advanced-level work in comparative politics. Specific topics vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of political science, including a prior course in comparative politics, or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

POLT 4600 Political Science Seminar

Offered periodically when specific expertise is available. Topics of interest to students of contemporary politics are studied. Prerequisite: usually senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit if con-tent differs.

THEA 2040 History of Theatre: Restoration to 1915 (3)

This course investigates western and world theatre from the Restoration of Charles II in England to the beginning of World War I. Through a combination of reading plays and history, lectures and hands-on projects, this class will aim to engage and excite students about the development of theatre from Restoration Comedy to formulation of modern realism. Through discussion and class presentations, the course will begin to identify for the student areas of personal interest in the study of theatre history while exploring influences of previous theatrical periods on the theatre of our times.

THEA 3030 Topics in Theatre (2-3)

THEA 3040 Topics in Theatre (2-3)

A series dealing with various topics in theatre: creative dramatics, museum studies, design applications, women in theatre, black/ethnic theatre, contemporary theatre, the elitist theatre, and a history of acting. The courses may be repeated once  for credit.