Bonn, Germany

• January - July, 2009
• Courses
• Living Arrangements
• Expenses
• Application

DePaul

Bonn is a beautiful 200-year-old city that is set on the banks of the Rhine River and was the birthplace of Ludwig von Beethoven in 1770. Living in Bonn, students have the opportunity to experience a northern German city that combines a rich cultural past with the modern realities of Europe. Centrally located, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels are no more than three hours away by train. The nearby Cologne-Bonn airport also provides access to European cities through discount airlines.

Located in one of Germany’s most rapidly globalizing cities, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn is among the largest universities in the country, serving as a home of learning to over 27,000 students, over 4,000 of which are international. Its outstanding reputation in research and teaching along with its location contribute to the ranking of the University of Bonn as one of the top institutions of learning in Germany.

Founded in 1818, it has housed such famous alumni as Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and Pope Benedict XVI.  With 371 buildings throughout Bonn, its sprawling campus provides a large and diverse college atmosphere for its multi-national student body.   

COURSES   

• Course Equivalencies and Liberal Studies Domains
• University of Bonn
• UBonn Elective Courses Link

Students earn a total of 34 credits spanning two quarters and six months.  The program is specifically designed to have four separate modules, each worth a specific amount of hours. All modules emphasize a continuing education in German language and culture. A required course will be offered at DePaul University during the first half of Winter Quarter.  In 2009, the course will be taught by Bernhard Beck-Winchatz.  It is followed by a one-week study tour course to southern Germany, a month-long intensive language course at the University of Bonn, and regular semester classes.  A specific breakdown of the program and its credit allocations is as follows:

            Module 1: Pre-departure courses

            SDV 231

            Science in Germany: Research, History, and Culture                              (4 credits)  

            German language course                                                                      (4 credits)

            Module 2: Study Tour

German Study Tour and Independent Research Project                           (2 credits)

Module 3: Orientation and Intensive Language

UBonn Intensive Language course                                                           (4 credits)

Module 4: Semester Courses                                                              

German Language Course                                                                      (5 credits)

Elective 1                                                                                              (5 credits)

Elective 2                                                                                              (5 credits)

Elective 3                                                                                              (5 credits)

                                                                                               Total: 34 Credit Hours

Module 1: Pre-Departure Courses

SDV 231: Science in Germany: Research, History, and Culture

How do planetary orbits work? What would it be like if your fell into a black hole? How do you build a rocket that can take people to the Moon and beyond? How do we know that light is made of waves, and how can we use these waves to communicate? These questions have two things in common: They have profoundly shaped our understanding of the universe and deeply affected many areas of our lives, and they were first answered by Germany scientists.  In this course students will explore some of the most important discoveries made by German scientists over the last 400 years through a series of hands-on lab experiments, design challenges and lectures, and study German history and culture in the context of the lives of these scientists. At the end of the course students who participate in DePaul’s Study Abroad Program in Bonn will visit some of the places where these scientists lived and worked during a weeklong trip through southern Germany.

This course satisfies the quantitative requirement of the Scientific Inquiry Domain of the Liberal Studies Program.

German Language Course

In addition to Professor Bernhard Beck-Winchatz's course, students will register for a 5-week German language course at their specific level of proficiency, worth 2-3 credits. Courses will be taught by faculty and staff from the Department of Modern Languages.

Module 2: Study Tour

German Study Tour

Following 5 weeks in Chicago, students embark on a one-week study tour to Southern Germany, which serves as an introduction to a research project to be carried on through Spring Quarter. Students are encouraged to use field work as material for their project and will present their prepared material at the program’s end. The study tour and independent research portion is supervised by Bernhard Beck-Winchatz and is worth 4 credits.

Module 3: Orientation and Intensive Language

After the study tour, students arrive in Bonn and participate in a month-long orientation and intensive language course at the University of Bonn, worth 4 credits. The March intensive language course serves as an orientation to acquaint students with the German language as well as their new colleagues and educational environment. The course aims to enhance the language abilities of its students. Students register for language intensive courses according to their skill level.

Module 4: Semester Courses

Elective Courses

Please note that electives listed are subject to change, as classes may be added and/or dropped.

Students participating in this program during the Spring of their senior year should be aware that overseas grades may not receive their degree conferral until August. While the Study Abroad office will do everything they can to expedite the process, we usually do not receive the overseas transcripts early enough for a June graduation conferral.  

Circumstances, such as an unexpected event abroad or a curriculum change at a host institution, may require DePaul University to make changes to the program. DePaul University reserves the right to cancel or alter programs and courses without notice.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS   

During the study tour, students are housed in comfortable hostels.  While in Bonn, students live in single dormitory rooms on or near campus.  Meals can be prepared in shared kitchens or purchased in nearby cafeterias/restaurants.   

EXPENSES   

In addition to DePaul tuition for 34 credits, costs include a specific program fee.  For updated information on specific program expenses, click here:

• Cost Information  

For this program, the fee includes orientation, housing in a residence hall, study abroad health insurance, and some program excursions.  Students must plan their budgets to cover airfare, meals, passport and visa fees, local transportation, supplies, books, and personal expenses.

APPLICATION   

To participate in this program, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and completed at least German 103 or demonstrated an equivalent language proficiency level. To apply to this program, students must submit the following to the Study Abroad Program office:

    • A complete DePaul Study Abroad Program application form

    • Two (2) academic recommendation forms from faculty familiar with your academic work.

    • An official copy of your transcripts. At DePaul, these may be requested on Campus Connect in the Students section under Records and Registration.

DePaul University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or handicap in admissions, employment or the provision of services. Inquiries regarding this policy should be addressed to the Director of Human Resources, 1 East Jackson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15

• Download Application