Courses and General Education and Graduation Requirements

You will be enrolled by the instructor in GR/HS 311X (4 credits) for the first summer session.

  • Select either HS or GR (there is no practical difference since they are cross listed).  
  • Classes consist of field excursions and meet according to the program schedule. 
  • Credits apply to requirements in the following programs:
    • German Studies - major and minor (If GR/HS 311 previously taken, GR 498: Directed Study)
    • History - major and minor
    • International Studies - major and minor
    • Art and Design - art history elective
    • Honors - course may be honorized
    • General Education - Social Responsibility (socr)

We will enroll you in IP 286 (4 credits) for the first summer session.

  • Language classes are through a local language academy (ABC Bildungszentrum).
    • All levels of language instruction are offered, including absolute beginners (you do not need previous German language).
    • Placement is initially through an online exam prior to arrival: https://einstufungstest.osd.at/
    • Content focuses on practical speaking and intensive conversation.
    • The language course meets Monday through Friday, 8:30-11:15 (except on national holidays).
    • You receive books and materials at the academy (already paid for).
  • Credit equals 4 credits in GR (or IP) at the level you complete.
  • Credits apply to requirements in the following programs:
    • German (e.g. GR 101, 102, 201, 202, 300), OR
    • International Studies: IP 285 or IP 485
      • IP 285: levels “Basic 1” through “Basic 3”
      • IP 485: levels “Intermediate 1” and above
    • General Education: Perspectives (pers)
    • Other GR options: consult with NMU's department of international studies, languages and literature 

Students wanting to leap a semester of German after the Program (for example, skip GR 102 and enter GR 201 directly) must take a placement test at NMU, which will determine your placement.

Other options may be possible but must be coordinated through NMU. For example, if enrolled in a high level section at the academy, it may be possible to contract with a NMU professor to do additional reading and writing to substitute the course for GR 300 (Reading and Writing).

HS/GR 311x counts as 4 credits towards Social Responsibility (socr)

GR / IP286 counts as 4 credits towards Perspectives (pers)

 

 

The Program fulfills the Global Citizenship Graduation Requirement, as implemented in Fall 2025, via Option 2 of that policy (NB: the Registrar has not yet adopted a policy of how it will recognize such fulfillment of the requirement, but we will work with you to ensure such recognition):

Option #2 - An NMU approved Study Abroad course using the following description

The Global Citizen requirement may be met by successful completion of a course through participation in an NMU-approved Study Abroad program during which the participant resides in a country outside of the U.S. and actively engages with the people and practices of the host culture. Study Abroad programs should require that the student utilize a wide variety of skills, both academic and inter/intrapersonal, to interact with globally diverse groups to negotiate shared experiences through cross-cultural communication and exposure to new ideas, worldviews, histories, cultural identities, as well as political, religious, and economic trends outside of the U.S. Students should have had an opportunity to analyze their experience and reflect on how their worldview is newly shaped by it.

Note regarding form World Cultures Requirement:

Effective Fall 2025, the Global Citizenship graduation requirement replaced the World Cultures graduation requirement. Courses approved for Global Citizenship also fulfill the former World Cultures requirement. Students following older catalogs who need to complete the World Cultures requirement should refer to the Global Citizenship course list.