Department of German - Northwestern University

Our Programs and Curriculum

Our Department

The Department of German owes its international reputation to a combination of path-breaking research, award-winning teaching, and engaged students. In addition to hosting our graduate program in German Literature and Critical Thought, our undergraduate major and minor programs, and our German-language program, the department interacts with a wide variety of disciplines, departments, programs, and clusters throughout the humanities and beyond. Graduates of our PhD program have secured prominent positions and fellowships in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our majors and minors combine their passion for German language, literature, and culture with kindred interests in numerous other fields of study. And the students in all of our classes are eligible for an enticing ensemble of study-abroad programs, fellowships, stipends, and internships that, each in its own way, add an inestimable value to their educational experience. We welcome inquiries into the full range of our departmental offerings.

QUICK LINKS

Professional Trajectories to Germany

Germany for any field!

German Career Week will take place at Northwestern and is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Topics will include summer internships in Germany in ANY FIELD, postgraduate scholarships and internships in STEM and economics, and scholarships for summer and postgraduate programs.

On Friday afternoon (Nov 15), come to the panel of representatives from various German corporations in the Midwest, who will discuss possible summer internships that can lead to future jobs!

Career Week Website

Featured Stories

Travel Letter from Friedman-Kline Fund Recipient Jonah Turner - Summer 2024

I just wanted to say thank you for offering the opportunity for myself and others to travel to Europe this summer through your generous scholarship. I must say that I was initially skeptical of the study abroad experience and its value, but after 2 months of classes, fantastic experiences, and new friends I must say that has changed.

As a student studying environmental engineering, it is often difficult to find the time to explore languages and other passions outside of engineering. The opportunity to explore my interest in the German language has led to unique opportunities such as my travel abroad experience this summer, as well as plenty of new friends and acquaintances. I personally attended the summer school at the technical university in Braunschweig.

Over the course of my time in Braunschweig, I had the opportunity to explore across the surrounding region and make new friends with people from all over the world that were a part of the program. The opportunity to experience and live another culture while vastly improving my language skills was an incredibly valuable opportunity. It wouldn’t have been possible without your generous contribution to the German department that allowed me to help fund this trip. Thank you so much for helping make this experience possible for myself and many others.

Thank you again,

Jonah Turner
Northwestern Class of 2026

Summer German 101 beginner courses

German 101-1,2,3 – Beginning German
In this third quarter of the Beginning German 101 course, we offer students a truly communicative approach that supports proficiency. Students will use German in a meaningful way in classes that will require active participation. By the end of the quarter, students will have been introduced to all four cases in German, the communicative and narrative past, and the subjunctive voice. Students will read short fairy tales and have achieved enough proficiency in German to advance to the intermediate level.
Prerequisite in German for 101-1: None or one year of high-school German.
Prerequisite in German for 101-2: 101-1 or placement exam results.
Prerequisite in German for 101-3: 101-2 or placement exam results.