German Studies

“Developing my German language skills while studying in Berlin and Freiburg sparked my interest in oral history and prepared me for a master's program in this field at Columbia University.”
- Erica Fugger

Erica Fugger '12

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. All courses emphasize skills of critical thinking and expression, whether oral or verbal, as well as fostering a broader cultural awareness.

Other 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.