German Studies offers first and second-year courses that support students in developing grammar and vocabulary skills through speaking, reading, listening and writing, with increasing emphasis on vocabulary building, idiomatic expressions, conversation and composition based on cultural and literary texts.

Our upper-level courses deal with social, political and cultural challenges in German-speaking countries through history, treating literature, visual arts, film, music and historical products of these periods. They cover a wide array of topics, including German Fairy Tales, German Sports Culture, Poetry and Protest, Shoah in Film, 20th Century Political Cabaret and Multiculturalism in Germany. All courses emphasize skills of critical thinking and expression, whether oral or verbal, as well as fostering a broader cultural awareness.

Special learning opportunities

In conjunction with our active German Club, the German program offers a wide variety of events and activities, including film screenings, hikes, dinners, board game nights, soccer matches and field trips to German theater events, restaurants and beer gardens. We celebrate Oktoberfest and Fasching with style.

In addition, we have staged German cabaret nights and poetry slams in recent years, and continually add a variety of culturally enriching, entertaining offerings.

Taking part in Union's German program opens up the opportunity to participate in our Spring Term Abroad program. Students spend time studying and experiencing German language and culture in the quaint university town of Freiburg, Germany, as well as the exciting metropolis of Berlin. Students with sufficient language experience who participate are also supported in efforts to arrange a summer internship in Germany in the sciences, engineering, politics, culture or history.