Welcome to the German Program at DU—a place where students from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and identities meet to learn about the vibrant language, rich history, and diverse culture of the German-speaking world. Whether you are a complete beginner, an experienced language learner, or simply curious about exploring new ideas, our program offers a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
In our classes, you will do more than just learn a language: from the latest pop culture, food or music trends to thought-provoking topics like migration, social justice, race, gender or sustainability, our interdisciplinary classes allow you to explore Austrian, German, and Swiss society, politics, literature, film, and art from multiple angles. Furthermore, we provide a holistic learning experience that helps you acquire essential career and global citizenship skills, such as critical thinking, empathy, self-awareness, and intercultural competence. Studying German at DU and at our fantastic study abroad partner institutions in Berlin, Heidelberg, Salzburg and Tübingen will help you reach a high language proficiency, develop a more comprehensive understanding of world issues, increase your creativity and appreciation of diversity, and enhance your career opportunities.
We believe that learning should be as diverse as the students we teach. That is why we focus on meeting the unique needs and learning styles of everyone in our program. Our dedicated faculty are passionate about creating an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and heard; our creative, multisensory approaches make learning fun and accessible for all. We celebrate every student's journey, and our classes are designed to encourage open expression, collaboration, and discovery.
Concentration in German
Join us in the German Program, where we blend language learning with intercultural exploration and personal growth. Whether you are interested in international relations, literature, business, or simply want to connect with people from around the world, we invite you to explore diverse topics, develop new skills, build lasting connections, and broaden your horizons with us!
The concentration in German is available for the major or minor in Languages, Literatures & Cultures. To learn more about the degree requirements, please review the program of study in Bulletin.
Learn About the Languages, Literatures & Cultures Major and Minor
Student Experiences
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Why Study German at DU?
“As an undergraduate student at DU, I decided to major in German. Between Dr. Kathöfer's amazing instruction, a wonderful study abroad experience in Heidelberg, Germany, and the completion of a distinction project, I was able to improve my cultural and linguistic knowledge massively, achieving near-fluency. Give DU's German program a shot!”
- Kip Newman, Class of 2023, Majored in German
“I originally chose to study German at the University of Denver to rekindle an interest in the language that began when I was in middle school. I had no idea that studying this language would open the door for deeper, more profound political thought in my International Studies work and in my daily life. Coupled with an unforgettable study abroad experience in one of the most vibrant, contrasting cities in the world, my experience with the University of Denver German program allowed me to become a better world citizen and a more well-rounded individual.”
- Emma Lawson, Class of 2025, Majored in German
"While other students might dread their 1-year FOLA requirement, German students at DU are declaring minors and majors, staying longer within the program than they originally planned. These fortunate individuals not only leave with a strong German foundation, but also life-long friends and an appreciation for the 1-year language requirement. Thank you to the DU German Professors for this incredibly journey!"
- Lennart Jost, Class of 2025, Minored in German
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Why Study Abroad at DU?
"Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that opens your eyes to new perspectives, cultures, and ways of living. During my quarter in Berlin, Germany, I felt immersed in the culture, which helped me truly connect with the people and environment around me. Traveling throughout Europe and meeting people from around the world expanded my worldview and made every day an adventure. While I experienced challenges like homesickness, the support of my host family and the friendships I built helped me feel at home. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, making me more independent and open to new opportunities. I recommend study abroad to anyone—whether for academic growth, personal discovery, or just to meet new people, the rewards of studying abroad are unforgettable and deeply impactful. "
- Morgan Strom, Class of 2025, Majored in German
"The best part of the Heidelberg program was that it was small enough that you get to know everyone in it so it feels very personal and family-like. The town is also relatively small so you can pretty much explore all of Heidelberg by the time you leave. Also a big plus is that I feel like there’s a lot of good travel opportunities (for example: Cologne, Strasbourg, Munich, and you can get to Frankfurt really easily if you want to fly somewhere). My German also improved greatly since we were only allowed to speak German. Something else I loved was being able to take buses and trains everywhere and walking down the main street. Overall exploring the city is just really fun and I would definitely recommend this program. I can’t imagine a better study abroad experience."
- Matthew Clemente, Class of 2025, Majored in German
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Why Join the German Club at DU?
Are you looking to practice your German outside of class, learn more about German culture, and meet new friends? Join the German Club! We regularly host meetings and cultural events where you can explore fun German traditions: we watch German movies, listen to German music, taste authentic German food, play German board games, go ice-skating, and much more!
Whether you're looking to practice your German or simply have a great time, the German Club offers a welcoming space for everyone to learn, connect with other students, and have fun! For information on the German club and current activities, contact the German club advisor Gabi Kathöfer at gabi.kathoefer@du.edu
Featured Courses
GERM 2900
Comedy, Humor, Satire in German-Speaking Cultures
About this Course
In this course, we will analyze comedy, humor and satire as tools to expose political issues or social injustices and to raise existential, religious, and philosophical questions. We will examine various German, Austrian, and Swiss works (drama, poetry, prose, films, cartoons, paintings, theoretical and autobiographical texts), discussing topics such as ethno-comedy, Jewish humor, satire in the visual arts, famous German-speaking humorists and comedians, escapist humor in the GDR, theories of humor and laughter.
GERM 2910
Contemporary Trends and Tensions in the German-Speaking World
About this Course
This course focuses on sociopolitical, economic, and cultural trends and tensions in contemporary German-speaking societies. Critically analyzing various authentic materials (newspaper articles, literary texts, caricatures, art, talk shows, documentaries, films), we will deepen our cultural knowledge and draw comparisons to other cultures. Topics include gender identities, religions, multiculturalism, poverty, sports, climate, economic trade, health, regional traditions, and topics that students suggest.
GERM 3930
Rebels and Revolutionaries in the German-Speaking World
About this Course
The right to protest is essential in a democracy; protest is a form of political participation that can be a catalyst for social change. This course explores historical and contemporary protest movements in German-speaking cultures. We will analyze diverse cultural materials (political, theoretical, literary and autobiographical texts, movies and documentaries, paintings, songs) to discuss various revolutionary movements and their motivations, ideologies, goals and impact on German-speaking societies at different times in history. Topics include workers’ movements, colonialism, resistance during dictatorships, terrorism, student protests, civil disobedience, climate activism.
