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German Language, Literature, and Culture B.A.

From the Brothers Grimm to Berlin today, students investigate both the literature and culture of the German-speaking world.
The outside of Tolley hall.
The outside of Tolley hall on Syracuse University's campus— home to the College of Arts and Sciences .

About this Program

  • Enjoy small class sizes: Introductory language courses are capped at 20 students to enhance learning and interaction between students and professors.
  • Contribute to and benefit from frequent and diverse cultural activities, such as film screenings, German conversation tables, activities of the German student organization, and other opportunities to dive into German culture and practice your speaking and comprehension skills.
  • Pursue scholarship and fellowship opportunities like the prestigious CBYX, DAAD and Fulbright awards.
  • Excel in German and become a member of the German academic honor society, Delta Phi Alpha.
  • Conduct research with national and international scholars and benefit from the international connections of our world-renowned faculty.
  • Forge relationships across cultural differences, developing a global perspective by studying and pursuing internships in Germany.
  • Apply for a Kade Student Travel Award to offset the cost of travel and study abroad.
  • Prepare for many desirable careers: Germany is the most important trading partner for almost all European and many non-European partners, and German companies account for 800,000 jobs in the U.S.
  • A minor in German is available.
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Program Information

Degree Type

Major

Outcome

B.A.

Modality

In-person

College or School

Career Path

Related Pages

13

Average number of students in classes.
19

Max Kade Student Travel Awards and three highly competitive international scholarships granted to students over the past five years.
$ 12K

in funding for SOURCE undergraduate research.
$ 69K

Awarded to students for study and research in a German-speaking country since 2015.
Exterior of Hall of languages building

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is Syracuse University’s first and largest college. As the home of the liberal arts, our internationally recognized programs provide the cornerstone of a Syracuse University education with 50+ majors in the natural sciences and mathematics, the humanities and the social sciences (in partnership with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs).
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Curriculum

In addition to beginner- and intermediate-level language classes, the German program offers advanced literature, film and culture courses in German. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester abroad at Syracuse University’s World Partner Programs at the University of Freiburg and at FU-BEST in Berlin.

  • Communicate with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.
  • Understand and respond to the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure and social interactions.
  • Comprehend the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field(s) of specialization.
  • Analyze cultural topics, artifacts and literary texts, evaluate them, and reflect on your own culture by creating short research papers, presentations, e-portfolios or poster sessions.
  • Investigate critically, interpret, analyze and respond critically and creatively to German literature in a variety of literary genres, topics and forms.
  • Contrast and compare German-speaking history, cultures and artifacts through critical research, analysis and critical and creative responses.

  • German Composition and Conversation
  • German Fairy Tales: Past and Present
  • Contemporary German Culture and Civilization
  • Berlin: City—Literature—History
  • German and Austrian Cinema

Extracurricular Opportunities

Study abroad opportunity

Study at German Universities

While abroad, choose to study at one of two German universities: Colgate Freiburg University or FU-BEST Freie University Berlin. At Colgate Freiburg University, courses are taught in German, while most FU-BEST courses are taught in English. Take courses in cultural studies, art history, comparative literature, the European Union, German history, German and European politics, sociology, psychology, film studies, comparative religion and philosophy.

Study abroad opportunity

Syracuse Abroad: Exploring Central Europe

In this program, your home base will be Wrocław, Poland, which was designated in 2016 as the European Capital of Culture. You will also travel to Germany. In Berlin, you’ll study Germany’s attempts to forge a new path of leadership while confronting its Nazi and politically divided past.

Student organization

German Cultural Society

Members of the German Cultural Society enjoy diving deeper into the world of German language and culture outside of the classroom. All students are welcome to join, regardless of their German language skills. Members take part in a variety of German-themed events such as cooking classes, television and film screenings, group discussions, hikes, shared meals, excursions and more.

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Learn more about this program

German Language, Literature, and Culture B.A.
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