Courses FAQ

Should I sign up during Tele-Bears for all my language classes?
Yes, please, if at all possible. It would really help you to get the sections you want because some of them fill up fast. And you would help us determine where more sections are needed. So do yourself and us a favor and use Tele-BEARS!

What happens if I missed Tele-BEARS and want to take a German course at the last minute?
Just go to the section on the first day of classes and see if it's full. If it is, talk to the instructor about what options you might have. If you get into the class, remember that it's your responsibility to add the course through the registrar by the deadline.

How do I find out where and when a language course is taught?
Well, you have three options: 1) you may check our course page, or go directly to the Online Schedule of Classes at http://schedule.berkeley.edu2) you may stop by the department (5th floor Dwinelle/level E) and check the listings posted outside of office 5311 Dwinelle or 3) call the department office at (510) 643-2004. You can also check the printed University Schedule of Classes, but be aware that there are occasionally last-minute location changes, which are not reflected in the printed schedule. So, options 1 and 2 are your best bet.

What if I can't find the class where I thought it was going to meet?
Sorry! Sometimes room assignments have to be changed at the last minute. You can get the latest info on the class location by checking the web site http://schedule.berkeley.edu, by stopping by the department (5th floor Dwinelle) and checking the listings posted outside of office #5311 Dwinelle, or by calling the department office at (510) 643-2004.

Do I really have to go to every class during the first week?

Ja, du musst. Oops, yes, you must. No exceptions. Otherwise you risk loosing your spot in the class. And guess what? We expect you to go to every class during the semester unless you have a really good excuse.

Where do I go to practice my German?You may consider taking one of the Upper Division courses offered in German. You could also enroll in our Conversation class, German 40, or for extracurricular fun go to the weekly Stammtisch, which meets every Friday during the semester starting at 3 pm in Raleigh's Bar & Grill, 2438 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley.

If my German final overlaps with another exam, what do I do?

Each semester we schedule an alternate final date for our German 1, 2 and 3 sections to accommodate students with exam conflicts.

Can I retake German 4 because i forgot most of it?

You may only repeat German 4 for credit if you received a grade of D+, D, D-, F, NP, or U the first time. If you want to refresh your German, consider taking German 45: Intensive Grammar Review (3 units) and/or German 40: Conversation (2 units).

Can I study in Germany and still be done in four years?

Go study abroad for a semester or a year! You can study almost any subject in Germany and make normal progress toward your major. All your credits are transferable, and you save money overall thanks to scholarships and the low housing cost there. Currently it costs ~$2000-4000 LESS for the 12-month program in Göttingen than for the 9-month academic year at Berkeley (and that includes airfare)! There is now even an Education Abroad Program in Germany which requires no previous knowledge of German at all. Check our Study Abroad section to explore your options.

How can I use my BA in German?

If you don't want to graduate school, you can apply for jobs in international and global companies; you can work for a transatlantic organization, teach, do translations and much more. Have a look at the Career Center's web page about International Careers at http://career.berkeley.edu/ICareers/ICareers.stm

Why does the German Department offer courses in English?

The German Department is more than a language department—we offer courses that provide a solid liberal arts major. Several courses on German philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, contemporary history, and film do not require knowledge of German. Although our major requires six upperdivision courses taught in German, we also count four courses in English on German topics, offered either in our department or in affiliated departments. PLEASE CONSULT THE UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT ABOUT COURSES THAT COUNT TOWARD YOUR MAJOR.

How large are classes in the German Department?

Our language classes have between 12 and 20 students; our literature classes have about 10-15 students, and our "big" courses are limited to no more than 50 students. And with the exception of language courses, all our courses are taught by regular Berkeley faculty.