Major and minor
The influence of German language and culture reaches far beyond the boundaries of Germany itself. Bach, Hegel, Goethe and Einstein are only a few of the prominent artists, musicians, philosophers and scientists to come from Germany. As a German major, students will explore the multidimensional aspects of the German-speaking world, cultivating a deeper understanding of the society and institutions beyond the language. German is an excellent major to study in preparation for global business in a variety of growing areas: Germany is one of the world’s largest economic exporters, and is a leader in both environmentalism and renewable energy. Whether in conjunction with politics, engineering, economics, environmental science, or simply on its own, knowing German language and culture opens the doors to a multitude of global ventures.
Real World Outcomes
Students who study German are well prepared for careers in business industry, arts, sciences, international law, education or graduate studies. Others combine their studies with another subject, giving them an edge in several different areas, including international relations, practical business, and sciences like medicine and technology. Wei-An Kuo, a double major in biological sciences, is now studying dentistry at Columbia. Karen Breslau (a double major with International Relations) is an international correspondent with Newsweek.
Requirements
As a German major, you'll choose one of three tracks of study: language and literature, area studies or culture and commerce. In the first track your studies will emphasize literary figures, movements and themes. If you have a broader interest in German history and culture, the area studies track allows you to select from courses in a range of departments (such as history, philosophy and economics) that deepen your understanding of the German-speaking world. The culture and commerce track focuses on functional language competency and is designed to enable students to live and work in a German-speaking environment. A key feature of this track is a work/study experience abroad.
