Studying the language, cultures and histories of German speaking countries offers students opportunities to develop effective communication skills as well as intercultural competencies that will further their role as responsible global citizens. The German program complements language study with courses in German literature and film as well as contextual study of political and cultural histories.
Students collaborate closely with experienced faculty and take advantage of our many excellent study abroad programs to achieve their professional goals. With a degree in German, students have access to a broad range of career opportunities such as in international business, non-profits, the sciences and government.
The German Program at DU offers:
Small, interactive classes that allow students ample opportunity to interact with our accomplished instructors
Study abroad opportunities in Germany and Austria
Multiple ways to tie your studies into key out-of-classroom experiences, including service learning, internships and extracurricular activities
Access to the support and programs of DU’s Center for World Languages and Cultures
Independent study programs and collaboration with faculty members
Degree Requirements
- To major in German, students will need to complete 44 credits beyond GERM 1003. Four of these 44 credits will be from GERM 1416. No fewer than eight of these 44 credits will be from 3000-level courses.
- For distinction in the major you will need to complete a thesis, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a major GPA of 3.6.
- The secondary major is 44 credit hours.
- The minor is 24 credit hours beyond GERM 1003.
See the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for full course requirements.
Featured Courses
GERM 1416
German Civilization: History, Politics, and Culture
About this Course
This course is an introduction to intellectual and cultural currents in German civilization from the Enlightenment to the present, emphasizing the arts in the context of history and philosophy from the late 18th century to around the mid-20th century. Readings include excerpts from such thinkers as Kant, Fichte, Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, as well as poetry and short fictional works by Heine, Jünger, Remarque, Borchert, and others. The readings are supplemented by films that students are expected to have watched at the beginning of each week. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
GERM 2022
German Cinema: An Introduction to German Culture, History, and Politics through Film
About this Course
This is an introduction to 20th- and 21st-century German culture, history, and politics through film analysis. Studying the most famous and influential films in the history of German cinema, students explore a wide range of topics (including political propaganda, national identity, multiculturalism, terrorism, education and youth, the arts, gender, and class) and investigate how a popular culture medium like film can capture the political, social, and economic atmosphere in society. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
GERM 3325
Die Weimarer Republik: German Culture & Society 1918-1933
About this Course
This course analyzes how violence, economic and political volatility, technology, and changing moral codes affected German society and culture (literature, visual arts, film and music) from the onset of the First World War to the rise of Nazism. Germany's first experiment in democracy, the Weimar Republic, can be viewed both as a prelude to Fascism (and therefore a failure) and as a period of radical socio-cultural change, experimentation, and even progress. This course is taught primarily in German, but occasionally we discuss particular texts in English.
Immerse yourself in the language and culture of Germany.
Are you ready to develop key skills in one of the world's most important languages?
