German Studies

Department Overview

A major in German Studies offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich language, literature, and culture of the German-speaking world. Our courses ask students to reflect on the nature and value of literary, cinematic, artistic, and a range of broader cultural works as part of a larger inquiry into the meaning of life.

Through intensive study of canonical and contemporary works in the original German language, our majors and minors develop inquisitiveness, critical analysis, judgment, wisdom, creativity, and appreciation for literature and art. Courses in translation offer the campus community insights into culture and history that foster self-awareness on the part of the reader and respect for people around the world.

Our strength is in our faculty’s personal attention to students and confidence in the merits of German language and literary study.

Study of related subjects such as French, European history, comparative literature, philosophy, cinema studies, and the history of music and art provide students with a well-rounded Oberlin education.

Students may practice and further develop their language and literary skills by living in the Max Kade Program House and using the resources in the college’s Paul and Edith Cooper International Learning Center, a space devoted to the study of world languages. The center includes classrooms and a language lab equipped with audio, video, and computer resources.

A degree in German often leads to graduate work in German or comparative literature, library science, or law. German majors have rewarding careers in education, government, music, the nonprofit sector, international business, journalism, medicine, and law, both in the United States and in Europe.