German Studies Major

Achieve fluency in German language, literature and culture—spanning disciplines in the humanities and social sciences and through firsthand experience studying abroad.

As a German Studies major or minor, you will become fluent in German language, literature and culture.

You will study across disciplines, learning about German history, literature, fine arts, music, cinema, international relations and architecture. Expand your studies through associated humanities and social sciences courses. 

Become well-versed in everything from philosophers Nietzsche and Marx and the writings of Rilke and Kafka to WWII and the Holocaust and European Union issues.

Students are encouraged to study abroad and live in Oldenborg Center for one year. Many receive Fulbright grants or other prestigious international opportunities after graduation.

The program is coordinated with the Scripps German department and has joint activities with the 6VµçÓ°Íø Russian program.

Prof. Friederike von Schwerin-High explains what makes the German Studies major at 6VµçÓ°Íø special.
In class with Professor Hans Rindisbacher
In class with Professor Hans Rindisbacher
In class with Professor Hans Rindisbacher
In class with Professor Hans Rindisbacher

What You’ll Study

    • Advanced conversation
    • Courses in German culture, society and politics
    • Composition and creative writing
    • Great works of German literature
    • Senior thesis or exam
5
Five days a week you have the opportunity to attend the German language table during lunch at Oldenborg Center.

Learning at 6VµçÓ°Íø

Emma Paulini Headshot

Short Story: Die Künstlerin

In the fiction short story Emma Paulini ’21 wrote in German, Die Künstlerin, a teen travels back in time to meet her great-grandmother and learn about the origins of her family’s artistic talents—and how to break a family curse. 

Andi Chaloult Research

Schönbrunn Palace

Andi Chaloult '20 studied Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, which she describes as a "baroque beauty."

Emma Paulini '21

I love studying German and its capacity to reveal new pathways to learn about the past and present, express myself, and consider ideas from unique vantage points.

Faculty & Teaching

Our German Studies professors’ expertise is wide-ranging, including topics like the emergence of a new Europe, linguistic representation and neuroscience, history of perfumery, and theories of otherness in 20th-century fictional biography and gender studies. Your knowledge of the German-speaking world will be expanded by their diverse interests and enthusiastic teaching. 

Professor Hans Rindisbacher

Why German? Why now? Why here? It’s the economy, the educational possibilities, Germany’s beauty, hospitality and culture.

  • Germany is the #2 export country, Europe’s leading power and a pioneer in environmental thinking and practices.
  • Germany supports internships, research and work opportunities. German could launch your global career!
  • Germany has music, philosophy, history, literature – and fun.
  • Germany is the world’s best-liked country! Why not study German?