- <a href="/live/image/gid/491/width/650/86485_German_Studies_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86485"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/491/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86485_German_Studies_main_image.rev.1607647105.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/491/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86485_German_Studies_main_image.rev.1607647105.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/491/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86485_German_Studies_main_image.rev.1607647105.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/491/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86485_German_Studies_main_image.rev.1607647105.jpg" alt="German Studies students who study abroad get to enjoy a full-year program at the University of Munich." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="1059" data-max-h="1015" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> German Studies students who study abroad get to enjoy a full-year program at the University of Munich.</div>
German Studies
Join a passionate community of scholars committed to German language and the rich, lifelong benefits of cross-cultural exchange.
When you join the German Studies program, you become part of a tight-knit community of teachers, students and scholars who are committed both to studying German language and culture and to celebrating the deep benefits of intercultural understanding. We believe that in encountering different cultures, languages, and ways of seeing, we learn to examine our own entrenched beliefs about ourselves, our communities, and our place in the world. Because we are a small program, our faculty devote individual attention to students both in and outside of the classroom. We hope you’ll join us!
Students can begin the German program at Lewis & Clark with no prior knowledge of the language and graduate with advanced fluency. Our courses cover a wide variety of topics, including Cold War culture, fairy tales, crime and justice, the environmentalist movement, and immigrant and refugee experience. Our year-long overseas program in Munich provides numerous opportunities for students to pursue coursework in a range of fields at Lewis & Clark’s own institute and the highly respected Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität.
Our graduates pursue careers in politics, teaching, journalism, diplomacy, international organizations, and many other exciting fields. Many of our students also return to Germany and Europe as Fulbright scholars or to pursue graduate degrees at one of Germany’s many (tuition-free) universities.
- Small department. You will have direct access to your professors, and benefit from their mentorship and guidance.
- Study abroad. Students get to participate in the Year of Study in Munich Program.
- Opportunities to study/work in Germany after graduation. Germany awards a generous number of scholarships and other support to study or work abroad. Your professors can help you identify the scholarships best suited for your goals and guide you through the application process.
- Science and research. German is the second-most commonly used scientific language. Germany is the third-largest contributor to research and development and offers research fellowships to scientists from abroad.
- Communication. Developments in media, information, and communication technology require multilingual communicators. A wide range of important websites are in German, and worldwide, Germany is ranked number five in terms of annual publications of new books. Knowledge of German offers you extended access to information.
- Business. Germany has the fourth-largest economy in the world. Knowing the language of your German business partners improves your relations and your chances for effective communication and success.
- Enjoyment of literature, music, art, philosophy, and science. German is the language of Bach, Beethoven, Einstein, Freud, Goethe, Jung, Kafka, Mozart, and Nietzsche. Indulge in reading and/or listening to their works in their original language.
- Travel. Make the most of your travels not only in German-speaking countries, but in many other European countries where German is widely spoken, especially in Eastern Europe.
- Tourism and hospitality industry. Tourists from German-speaking countries travel wide and far, and are the world’s biggest spenders when on holiday. They appreciate being looked after by German-speaking staff and tour guides.
For sources and more information, see the Goethe Institute’s webpage Ten Reasons to Learn German.
- Alex Scioscia BA ’21
One of my favorite classes has been American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties. It made me reexamine my thoughts on law and society, and the discussions challenged us to see existing prejudices and biases.
Alexandria, VirginiaMore about Alex - Vanja Pešić BA ’22
When I came to L&C, I wanted to foster my passion for world languages and become fluent in German. Another motivational factor was that the Munich overseas program is a full year. I knew that only a semester wouldn’t be long enough for me to truly experience another culture and properly integrate in the society.
Leskovac, SerbiaMore about Vanja - Lucia Sheridan BA ’23
My favorite class has been Key Monuments with Professor Benjamin David. He brought new and remarkable perspectives to Western art history. 10/10, would recommend!
Saugatuck, MichiganMore about Lucia