The Department of
Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a combined F
rench-German major that, in addition to providing understanding of the French and German languages and cultures, gives a new perspective on the English language and American culture. The major also prepares students for graduate studies or for careers in teaching, government, business, industry and international organizations.
French-German majors must spend one semester of their junior year (one year is highly recommended) in Strasbourg, France, or live for two years in the French or German House, small residences on campus where French and German are spoken respectively. The residences are under the leadership of a young French and German woman respectively. Internships are available for qualified French-German majors in government agencies, international organizations and corporations in Strasbourg, France, as well as in various institutions in the United States.
Requirements for the Major
French-German majors are required to take 33 credits combined in French and German at the 200-level or above; they may take a maximum of 60 credits in French and German combined, including 100-level courses. (Students who transfer to Hood in their junior year intending to major in French-German must be qualified to enroll in courses at the 200-level or above in both languages.)
The following courses are required:
- FREN 203 and GER 203 (Conversation and Composition)
- FREN 204 and GER 204 (Civilization and Culture)
- FREN 207 or 208 and GER 207 or 208 (Cultural Perspectives on Literature I, II)
- 12 credits in 300-level courses or above (6 in French and 6 in German; at least 6 in literature)
- A 3-credit independent project in French-German studies, preferably completed while in Strasbourg, with a final presentation at Hood. The project will be supervised by both a French and a German professor and will be written in either French or German.
We recommend that students consider combining this major with a major or a minor in economics, history or political science.
