German

“I think we have to return to the liberal arts to make our way forward in the age of A.I. For students today, studying math and language might turn out to be the only way to be flexible enough to face a rapidly changing market in which a computer science degree is no longer a guarantee of a job. But it’s also a way to deepen our humanity in the face of these strange machines we have built, and to understand them. And that is something that A.I. will never do” (Weatherby 2025).

Why German Studies?

We invite you to understand the world through German studies. German courses at Carleton were first taught during the 1870/71 academic year, and in 1905, when majors and minors were introduced at Carleton, German was available as both a major and minor. Formally, a German Department was founded in 1912. Today, we are a vibrant community of faculty, students, and staff and we can’t wait to grow older with you!

Carleton’s professors in German seek to provide students with engaging coursework and exceptional teaching of language and critical analysis. Our students develop intercultural awareness, examine global issues and contexts, and interrogate their own cultural practices and perspectives. We train our students to question their surroundings critically and see the complexity in cultures, languages, and individual speakers. Ultimately, we aim to teach German language and culture in a way that provides students with skills, knowledge, interests, and curiosity that will help them take on critical challenges of the world today.

We offer rigorous courses that simultaneously and continually advance students’ language skills and build the sophistication of their cultural understanding. Students study media including literature, music, and film to learn about a wide range of historical periods and diverse German-speaking cultures. Our approach to pedagogy and research is informed by various theoretical lenses. In all courses, students develop skills in research, analysis of texts and other cultural products, interpretation, and presentation in both written and oral form.

Beginning in GERM 101, students learn about history, politics, cultures, and other issues that German-speaking countries grapple with, while learning a new language! Throughout the language sequence of German 101-204, students collaborate on meaningful projects where they discuss real-world issues that matter to them. Projects in this beginning class are centered around an interest in diversity, social justice, and reform in German-speaking countries. Students’ German language proficiency develops throughout the course when they engage with these topics, based on best practices and current theories in language pedagogy. Intermediate and upper-level courses broaden and deepen students’ knowledge and skills.

In our classes and in extra-curricular activities, we build community so that students become active partners in the learning process and enjoy spending time with each other. Classes have between 10 and 25 participants, so students get to know their fellow German-speakers well. We connect this community of German learners with the diverse communities on and off campus that have an interest in learning about and sharing languages and cultures.

Check out our blog to read our reflections on teaching and learning. 

Watch this video to learn more about why languages are a must in your education here at Carleton! This is our colleague Chérif Keïta in French.

At Carleton we offer:

• Courses in the German language, from elementary to advanced, with potential opportunities to gain a Global Seal of Biliteracy in the language (certificate used for employers, grad schools, and more, which provides awardees the opportunity to receive recognition, advance placement, and language pay differentials).
• Exciting and thought-provoking German courses!
• A major and a minor in German
• A biennial off-campus program in Austria
• Fun events and activities like Mittagstisch (German lunch table), German movie nights, and more!