Department of German

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.

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Featured Stories

Nate Sowder (CS and German) on 6-month contract after Summer Internship Program in German Department

Nate is currently working as a software developer for the European Institute for Participatory Media (EIPCM) in Berlin until at least July 2026. In Summer 2023, he received an internship at EIPCM with funding from the Department of German’s Friedman-Kline Foundation Scholarship and in partnership with Cultural Vistas. After completing his Bachelors in Computer Science with a minor in Business German (Fall 2023) and subsequent Masters in CS (Spring 2025) at Northwestern, he was offered to return to EIPCM as a full-time employee. He moved to Germany in May 2025 and currently resides in Wedding, Berlin, where he can often be found haggling at the local and numerous flea markets.

If you have questions about getting an internship in your field of expertise via the German Department, please contact Professor Ryder (rob.ryder@northwestern.edu).

Beginning German Intensive courses

Beginning German sequence: a systematic introduction to basic German. All four language skills - speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing - are stressed to insure that students acquire a basic command of German. Classes are conducted in German, with occasional use of English. Key feature of this quarter: Individual oral interviews at the end of the quarter.

For more information about tuition, registration, credits, etc. please visit the following Summer Session webpage.