German Studies Program

Bachelor of Arts in German Studies

From Goethe and Rilke to Beethoven and Brahms, from Kant and Einstein to Bauhaus and the Berlin Wall, Germany’s contributions over the past 250 years have helped shaped modern Western culture. The study of the German language opens the door to the rich literature, history and culture not only of this country but of Austria and Switzerland as well.

As a scholar in our degree program, you’ll study the German language in its cultural context, with a strong emphasis on literature, film, new media and cultural history. In addition to becoming culturally competent, you’ll acquire a command of the language orally and in writing, enabling you to engage critically with texts and films as well as with the situations of daily life.

As a graduate of our program, you will be superbly equipped to pursue advanced studies in German literature as preparation for a career in teaching or research. Or you might pursue an international career in law, business, government or publishing.

Why Brandeis?

Housed in the Department of German, Russian and Asian Languages and Literature (GRALL), our program is inherently interdisciplinary. We encourage you to explore German language and culture through a variety of lenses, including history, political science, Jewish studies, linguistics, philosophy and cinema. Because our faculty and classes are small, you’ll be sure to develop close relationships and receive the mentoring Brandeis is known for.

Brandeis has a powerful and longstanding connection to the German-speaking world. Many of our earliest professors were German or Austrian and fled Europe and World War II to find a home at Brandeis. More recently, in 1998, former Chancellor Helmut Kohl delivered the commencement address, received an honorary law degree and dedicated the Center for German and European Studies!

Our program is also aligned with the Brandeis commitment to social justice. Studying German and contemporary Germany is an ideal way to explore themes of power and privilege, discrimination and persecution.

Academics and Research

Faculty and Student Excellence

Outside the Classroom

Graduate Study, Careers and Alumni

“The faculty in German Studies are caring and passionate about giving students a quality education. In addition, the classes are phenomenal and often discussion based, and the relatively small class size allows for a close-knit community among the students and faculty.”

Ellinor Tai ’18