Whether you are a student in the humanities or the sciences, German is an important language to learn. It has a rich history in an extraordinary number of fields from literature, philosophy and sociology to math and physics. Germany’s status as a European leader and top export economy also makes it a crucial language for international diplomacy and trade.

In the German undergraduate program at Hopkins, students acquire communicative competence in the German language and become familiar with the literatures, philosophies, and cultures of the German-speaking tradition. In both language courses and upper-level topics courses (offered in English and German), students engage with diverse texts and cultural objects, trace their history from the Enlightenment to the present, discuss political and social issues, and develop the capacity for rigorous critical thinking in an interdisciplinary and trans-national context.

Alumni of the German program have gone on to pursue careers in numerous fields, including medicine, jurisprudence, international diplomacy and education.

For more information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Language Program Director, Heiko ter Haseborg.

Requirements

Undergraduate students can pursue a major or a minor in German Studies. Students who arrive at Hopkins with previous language experience should take the departmental placement exam before registering for courses. Highly qualified students can choose to write an honors thesis; they also have the option to complete a combined BA/MA degree in five years.

Program Experience

The German section organizes various co-curricular activities, such as film screenings and an undergraduate speaker series and collaborates with the German Club to offer a weekly German-language Stammtisch. These events are open to any students with an interest in German. Highly qualified students can also become a member of the prestigious Delta Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Students pursuing German are highly encouraged to study abroad or seek an international internship. The program offers Max Kade Travel Grants for summer research projects or internships abroad.

Alumni Profiles

Students from our undergraduate major and minor go on to do many different things. Read more examples of their paths, or read our selected alumni profiles for more details.

Germany in a Globalized World

Interested in the dual major option with International Studies? Learn more about the requirements for Germany in a Globalized World.