The study of a foreign language not only provides students with the necessary basis for any rigorous or sophisticated understanding of a foreign culture, but also develops in them a more profound understanding of their native language and of the relationship between language and knowledge.
Basic language skills are only a beginning, however, and the program in German leads students into studies of German literature — understood in its broadest sense — and of the cultural contexts in which this literature has been produced.
The department encourages students to enroll in related courses in other disciplines. A major in German is an excellent preparation for advanced studies in the fields of literature, art history, history, music, and philosophy, and can also give students a competitive edge in the fields of international relations, law, business, journalism, and publishing.