In our department, you can take classes in the areas of German Studies, Scandinavian Studies, or both. In German classes, you’ll learn about the Northern and Central European cultures of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Scandinavian courses, you’ll learn about Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. We study these places both today and in the near and distant past. We teach the German and Swedish languages, and support Yiddish as well. We explore all of these interrelated cultures holistically from social, political, environmental, literary, cinematic, mediatic, and artistic perspectives. In doing so, we consider formal and philosophical themes, as well as the histories of the ideologies of race, gender, class, and religion, always from an interpretively open-ended and dialogical point of view. Our faculty members, who specialize in modern culture, give our students personal attention, helping them to advance their intellectual and pre-career development.
School of Global Studies and Languages Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, June 15th, 2025
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
East Campus Green
What You Can Do with a Degree in German and Scandinavian
What kind of career can you get with language skills? Studying German and Scandinavian can take you just about anywhere! Our alumni are traveling the world, making an impact in their communities, and building careers with a broad range of organizations such as:
- International companies
- Media and high-tech companies
- Nongovernmental organizations and agencies
- Public interest groups
- Museums and archives
- Social welfare organizations
- Colleges and universities
How German and Scandinavian Studies Broadens Your Career
“Learning another language was a paradigm shift that changed my way of viewing the world and my daily experience. It also opened me to opportunities to work with people from around the world, learning of other cultures and perspectives, in pretty much every job role or educational position since. Also, the graduate courses taught me critical theory and were my initial exposure to philosophy, which have dramatically impacted my life more than anything else I've learned.”
—Zachary Tigert, program manager, Microsoft
Our Degree Programs
We offer multiple majors and minors in German and Scandinavian studies. Our MA and PhD programs are rigorous, yet supportive. Our students dive into critical analysis of post-Enlightenment modernity and often pursue interdisciplinary research.
Learn from Experts in the Field
Our faculty comprises both German and Scandinavian specialists whose research interests range from folklore and fantasy to gender and film, and from psychoanalysis and Jewish studies to philosophy and critical thought. They are passionate scholars who inform and inspire and are dedicated mentors who help students build real-world skills and strong professional networks.
Get Real-World Experience
Studying language abroad accelerates the development of speaking and comprehension skills while giving students a real-world experience within the culture they’re studying. Our students have access to dozens of study abroad programs in Germany and Scandinavia, from our decades-long partnership with Heidelberg, Tübingen, and other universities in Baden-Württemberg to numerous specialized programs in Berlin, Copenhagen, Uppsala, and beyond.
Scholarships and Funding
The Department of German and Scandinavian awards multiple scholarships to current undergraduate students who are declared majors or minors within the department. Graduate students are typically compensated for teaching language classes to undergraduates and are eligible for additional fellowships and scholarships.
Academic Support
Our academic advisors can help students understand their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.
