With one of the top German programs in the country, at a time when there has been an alarming drop in the number of schools offering foreign languages, delving into the courses we offer gives you a unique opportunity to earn a degree with a distinctive edge.
Our department offers language study and in-depth coursework in German, Dutch, Norwegian, and Yiddish, giving you access to these cultural traditions.
100 millionpeople speak German worldwide
When you explore the contributions of these cultures you deepen your understanding of your own, increasing your awareness of connections among peoples, concepts, and historical events. Learning German provides you with insights into global politics, awareness of cultural distinctions, and empathy regarding personal communications.
The study of a foreign language improves your memory, ability to concentrate, and understanding of linguistic distinctions. It allows you to communicate with people from other places who appreciate your interest in their ideas and points of view.
You develop your interpretive, aesthetic, argumentative, and analytical thinking skills. Exploring literary texts, movies, and works of art or intellectual history increases your enjoyment of these cultural achievements and inspires your own creative response to the world.
An increased awareness of historical events gives you the ability to analyze how past cultural developments influence current affairs and contemporary transnational relationships.
In practical terms, learning German opens doors in both your professional and personal life. Knowledge of German increases your options in nearly any profession, helping you acquire a range of skills that are likely to enhance the quality of both your professional and private life.
German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and the first language of nearly 100 million people around the world. Another estimated 100 million people speak German as a second or foreign language.
Learning German encourages you to travel not only to German-speaking countries, but also to the many other European countries where German is widely spoken, especially in Eastern Europe. Because Germans also love to travel, you may find opportunities in the tourist industry.
The largest nation in the European Union in terms of both population and economy, Germany has recently launched a strategic initiative called Industrie 4.0, to revise its manufacturing strength and establish the country as a lead market and provider of advanced manufacturing solutions.
Germany has set the stage for recent European history and the current scenario of complex international decision-making. After the United States, Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world, and its position regarding immigration is watched by all nations.
Germany is the third largest contributor to research and development in scientific fields, with a history of offering research fellowships to scientists from abroad. Germany leads the world in environmentally friendly technology and sustainability, producing more solar energy than any other country. After English, German is the second most commonly used scientific language and the second most widely used language on websites.
Germany is a leader in the design field, with innovations in architecture, the automotive industry, product development, consumer goods, visual communications, media, and information technology. It ranks fifth in terms of annual publication of new books, with one tenth of all books (including e-books) in the world published in the German language.
Not only is German the language of influential scientists, artists, musicians, philosophers, and political leaders, but appreciation for culture is palpable in Germany. You’ll find vital readings and revisions of texts and artifacts across the ages throughout the arts, sciences, and humanities.
Pursuing a degree in Germanic Studies offers many advantages. Whether you are considering a major or minor, we provide a number of degree options that pair well with other undergraduate programs.
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