Learning Outcomes | German
After Pacific | The German program at Pacific University prepares students to interact professionally with Europe’s technological and economic giants and gives them a solid understanding of the region’s cultural and social dynamics. Our graduates work in business, international law, healthcare, computer science, media arts and education.
Our students have also received Fulbright Scholarships for postgraduate work in teaching or research in Austria and Germany and prestigious scholarships to study abroad.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Modern Languages major may concentrate in French, German, Japanese or Spanish as a primary language, and French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Chinese as a secondary language. Students may also select a major in Japanese or Spanish or a major in French or German Studies.
The department seeks to graduate majors who:
- demonstrate linguistic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid; communicate effectively on a wide variety of present, past, and future events; exchange general information on topics outside their fields of interest; and handle a complication or unexpected turn of events
- evaluate major literary, intellectual or historical trends of the cultures of concentration
- identify an interdisciplinary or disciplinary understanding of cultural diversity
- apply appropriate research methods to a senior thesis or a capstone project in the language of specialization
Program Purpose
The Department of World Languages and Literatures seeks to provide the general student with awareness of and sensitivity toward the cultural and linguistic diversity of an increasingly interconnected world. For students specializing in language study, the Modern Languages curriculum teaches proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and comprehending a modern language. Majors spend a semester or a year in study abroad. The curriculum is designed to ensure mastery of the languages studied through intensive conversational training.
Jobs for German Majors
Alumni with a major or minor in German Studies or International Studies with a focus on Germany have found careers as:
- accountants
- associates at non-profits such as Muscular Dystrophy Association and Jewish Family Services
- business executives and directors at global companies such as Goldman Sachs (Germany and London), Weiss Rohlig (USA/Austria)
- business managers at companies such as Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks, etc.
- directors of international student offices and study abroad offices at universities
- education specialists and administrators
- elementary school teachers
- financial planners
- lawyers in international and global law
- librarians
- optometrists
- professors at universities in such areas as finance and American Studies
- program associates at granting organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
- public policy research advisors
- teachers of English as a Second Language