German

German (group 1 subject) CAO Code: MH101 | CAO Points 2021: 338

Minimum entry requirements: While there is no minimum entry requirement to study non-beginner German, we generally recommend H4 Leaving Certificate German. For full details about entry requirements see p. 42. If taking up German as a beginner, it is advisable to attend all lectures from the first week of term.

> German currently tops the list of the 5 most in-demand foreign languages in Ireland among employers (cpl.com). As the native language to almost 100 million people around the world, German is a critical language for business, science and culture. > Studying German at MU equips you with excellent language, communication, research, intercultural and analytical skills that help you stand out from the crowd. > We have a wide range of exciting modules taught by international and local experts.

Our students have opportunities to focus on linguistics, translation, history, politics, and the literary, visual and business cultures connected to German, alongside the language itself. > If you’re a beginner, you can fast-track your progress by taking German as a double subject.

Why choose this subject?

> Language AND culture: discover how people live, think and interact in German-speaking countries. Our programme is specially designed to allow you to develop advanced competence and fluency in all key language areas, while expanding your cultural understanding, intercultural awareness, and your critical thinking and evaluative abilities.

> Small classes taught by experts: our language, linguistics and culture modules are generally taught in small class groups - an environment in which students thrive. Our staff are keen researchers, and this is integrated into our teaching and approach. > Year Abroad: every student is encouraged to spend a year in a

German-speaking country. You can study at a German-speaking university – we have links with over 20 universities in Germany &

Austria - or work as a language teacher or be an Erasmus intern (subject to availability).

> Employability: 1,200 positions are currently open to graduates with strong German proficiency and intercultural skills.

Course structure

1st year

BA Bachelor of Arts – German – Double Major or as a Minor

> German + 1 other subject to degree level > German is available at beginner or non-beginner level (Leaving Certificate

H4 or equivalent recommended for non-beginner) > Either 15 credits German (nonbeginner level) OR 30 credits German (beginner) > German as a Double Major or as a Minor > Continue with 1 of your 1st year subjects > Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year (see p. 13 for details) > New transfer option in 2nd year - into the new

Business and Languages degree MH409 - for students who have completed the first year of the BA degree (MH101) taking 30 credits of a Business subject and passing 30 credits of beginners/15 credits of non-beginners’

German.

2nd year and Final year

Erasmus:

All students of German have the opportunity to spend the 3rd year of their degree programme in a German-speaking country. You can: > Study at a university in Germany or Austria (Erasmus) > Work as an English Language Assistant at a German or Austrian school (ELA programme - subject to availability) > Complete an Erasmus internship / placement (subject to availability) Students who avail of the Year Abroad can get this year recognised as part of their studies and convert their degree programme into a 4-year BA International.

For MH101 subject groups table go to p. 45

Possible topics

1st year

> Grundkurs Sprache: speaking, listening, reading, grammar, writing > You will study a range of different topics and approaches to German Studies, and have opportunities to take optional modules in the cultures, cinemas, and literatures of Germanophone countries, as well as language awareness, business, and crossing boundaries (Year Abroad preparation). > You will have the opportunity to continue to specialise in the cultures, cinemas, and literatures of Germanophone countries, or to include, for example, modules in linguistics and translation.

2nd year Final year

German (group 1 subject) (continued)

Every student will have the opportunity to spend a year in a German-speaking country as an Erasmus student, Language assistant or Erasmus intern (subject to availability).

German at MU Erasmus links include:

> large cities including Berlin, Munich and Vienna; > smaller cities such as Graz, Potsdam, Leipzig and Bonn; > towns like Bielefeld, Marburg and Tübingen. Interested in teaching German? The Teaching Council of Ireland require all registered teachers of German to have spent a minimum of two months living in a German-speaking country. The Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures advise at least a three-month residency.

Options after graduation?

> Highly sought-after skills: The government has identified language skills as one of the most sought-after skills for the Irish economy.

Many of the world’s largest firms with major operations in Ireland (Google, Facebook, Twitter, eBay, Hewlett Packard, PayPal, Allianz,

SAP etc.) regularly recruit language graduates to work in all sectors of their operations.

> Jobs across sectors: In addition to multinational firms, other organisations continue to require significant numbers of graduates with strong language skills to work in areas such as the diplomatic service, development work with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), education, publishing, the EU institutions, translation and interpretation, international trade, communications, and tourism.

Many of our graduates have pursued careers in teaching, translating and interpreting, public service, journalism and the media.

> Study further: Some graduates opt to go on to postgraduate study, and our students have been successful in securing funding to study at master’s and PhD levels. We welcome enquiries from students who wish to pursue postgraduate study in areas such as Applied

Linguistics, Foreign Language Education, German Literature and

Culture, Cultural Memory, Contemporary Women’s Writing, Travel

Literature, Migration and Exile.

If you are interested in developing your interest in German at postgraduate level, we currently offer the following courses:

> Professional Certificate in German for Teaching at

Post-Primary Level > Postgraduate Certificate in German for Teaching at

Post-Primary Level > Postgraduate Diploma in German for Teaching at

Post-Primary Level > MA in Applied Linguistics & Intercultural Studies > MA in German > MA in Modern Languages, Literature and Culture: Narratives of Conflict > M.Litt. (Research) > PhD in German > PhD in Applied Linguistics & Intercultural Studies German is also available in

MH401 IFE : BA International Finance and Economics p. 129 MH409: BBA Business and Languages p. 137 MH502 LWD: BCL (Law and Arts) p. 184

Berlin

Contact us

Maynooth University German Studies  + 353 1 708 3419

 german@mu.ie  www.maynoothuniversity.ie/german @MaynoothSMLLC @MU_SMLLC mu_smllc

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