Undergraduate
Source: https://german.fas.harvard.edu/undergraduate Parent: https://german.fas.harvard.edu/
Undergraduate
About the Program
The department offers students a rich and diverse program of literary and cultural studies and several pathways through either German Studies or Scandinavian Studies, including a secondary field, a joint concentration and a double concentration with another field. Students in German also have the option to pursue a concurrent masters, completing both the A.B. and A.M. in four years.
Our goal is to provide students with the enriching experience of studying languages, literatures, and cultures of German- and Nordic-speaking Europe across the ages. We offer German and Swedish at all levels, and other Germanic languages in small tutorials (including Danish, Dutch, Icelandic, Norwegian, Old Norse). Students interested in pursuing a language tutorial should consult the informational page and submit an applicationhere.
With its interdisciplinary approach, Germanic Languages and Literatures (GLL) offers a deep and varied exploration of one of the world’s most influential cultural and intellectual traditions. From the sheer range of achievements in literature (Goethe, Schiller, Brecht, Kafka, Ibsen, Mann, Jelinek, Erpenbeck), music (Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Schoenberg, Stockhausen), philosophy (Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Arendt), critical and social theory (Marx, Weber, Benjamin, Adorno, Habermas) and psychology and psychoanalysis (Freud, Nietzsche, Jung) – just to name a few – students grapple with ideas that have shaped societies, challenged conventions, and continue to influence global thought and innovation. Against the backdrop of shifting power landscapes—from the Viking Age and the Holy Roman Empire to the rise and fall of the Habsburgs, 20th-century Nazism, the Cold War, and the reunification of Germany—this tradition reveals how turbulent political and social upheavals contribute to a fascinating and complex field of study.
Building on language proficiency in one or more Germanic language, you gain in-depth knowledge of this rich tradition but also have the flexibility to design the degree that you really want, whether focusing on the study of literature, culture, media, and the arts, or by integrating other areas of study, such as history and politics. You may choose courses taught in the target language or in translation, and while it is not required, we strongly encourage our students to explore our Study Abroad and Work Abroad options.
No prior language study is required for the concentration. Our program affords considerable flexibility to accommodate students at all language levels and from a variety of backgrounds. Thus, the curriculum is designed not only for students who wish to pursue graduate study in Germanic studies, but also for students who choose careers in medicine, law, government, scientific research, business, the arts, design, and other fields.
\ Undergraduate program overview
Student Experiences
Language Study
Completing a secondary in German was one of the highlights of my time at Harvard. The instructors were genuinely interested in helping students learn, and the small class sizes made for a fun and productive environment... Outside of classes, the Kaffeestunde and Stammtisch gatherings offered even more chances to work on speaking and listening and were a great way to connect with other students and faculty.
Nathaniel Ver Steeg '17
Study Abroad
I decided to... study abroad... after my freshman year of German classes. We spent time in Vienna and Berlin learning about arts, culture, and history. That summer opened my eyes to the power of language, immense cultural beauty, and the world we all share. I developed friendships with some of my favorite people from Harvard... and [the faculty leading the program] became some of my most supportive mentors at Harvard.
Brooke Istvan '19
Work Abroad
My involvement [in the department] began through [its] incredibly supportive internship program. […] Following my superb experience [...] as part of the UROP summer research program at RWTH Aachen Universität, I was eager to continue my German studies. The incredible quality of instruction in all of my courses and profound care for students present through the entire department staff led me to pursue and complete a citation in German.
Ana Olano '19
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Where We Are: Alumni Stories
My background in the German language and literature allowed me to form unique perspectives in my research inquiries... As I prepare to graduate from my master's program... and work in the field of law, I know that my background in Germanic studies... will continue to be a rich source of inspiration.
Brianni Lee '20
MPhil Candidate, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
I'm really grateful I pursued a German language citation, because without it I would not have my current position: a grant for a year-long research fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. The ... citation not only qualified me to apply for this opportunity..., but also gave me the confidence that I would be able to hold my own in Germany for a year (and the tools to do so).
Mahlet Shiferaw '20
Fulbright Scholar, Potsdam, Germany
Since graduating from Harvard with a joint degree in Government and German Studies, Daniel has been working at the law firm Davis Polk and Wardwell LLP. He is starting his MSc in International Relations at the London School of Economics in fall 2021.
Daniel Menz '19
Legal Assistant at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, NY
For me, the department offerings also opened up many new academic and career opportunities. ...I went to Munich for a summer language program and enjoyed it so much that I returned to Munich to study for a semester during my junior year. Later, I worked as a research assistant in Vienna, and my first job out of college was in Cologne.
Nathaniel Ver Steeg '17
Data Scientist at QuantCo, Cologne, Germany
After graduating with a joint concentration in Music and German, Max received a Fulbright fellowship to pursue a master’s degree in composition at the Kunstuniversität Graz, Austria. He then went on to do his master’s degree in German at Ludwigs Maximilian Universität München (LMU), with a thesis titled "Stimmen des Hains: das Echo in Hölderlins später Dichtung". In fall 2021, he will begin his PhD in German at Yale.
Maxwell Phillips '15
Composer and Conductor