Undergraduate

Whether you are a student in the humanities or the sciences, German is an important language to learn. It has a rich history in an extraordinary number of fields from literature, philosophy and sociology to math and physics. Germany’s status as a European leader and top export economy also makes it a crucial language for international diplomacy and trade.

In the German undergraduate program at Hopkins, students acquire communicative competence in the German language and become familiar with the literatures, philosophies, and cultures of the German-speaking tradition. In both language courses and upper-level topics courses (offered in English and German), students engage with diverse texts and cultural objects, trace their history from the Enlightenment to the present, discuss political and social issues, and develop the capacity for rigorous critical thinking in an interdisciplinary and trans-national context.

Alumni of the German program have gone on to pursue careers in numerous fields, including medicine, jurisprudence, international diplomacy and education.

For more information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Jacob Haubenreich or the Language Program Director, Deborah McGee Mifflin.

Requirements

Undergraduate students can pursue a major or a minor in German Studies. Students who arrive at Hopkins with previous language experience should take the departmental placement exam before registering for courses. Highly qualified students can choose to write an honors thesis; they also have the option to complete a combined BA/MA degree in five years.

Program Experience

The German section organizes various co-curricular activities, such as film screenings and an undergraduate speaker series and collaborates with the German Club to offer a weekly German-language Stammtisch. These events are open to any students with an interest in German. Highly qualified students can also become a member of the prestigious Delta Phi Alpha Honor Society.

Students pursuing German are highly encouraged to study abroad or seek an international internship. The program offers Max Kade Travel Grants for summer research projects or internships abroad.

Alumni Profiles

Students from our undergraduate major and minor go on to do many different things. Read more examples of their paths, or read our selected alumni profiles for more details.

Audrey M. Adams

Class Of: 2017

Degree: International Studies and German Language & Literature

Post-graduation, Audrey worked for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC, and is currently completing her JD at the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael Arnst

Class Of: 2010

Degree: International Studies and German Language & Literature

Since graduation, Michael has completed a Masters of Urban Planning at McGill University and is currently working in Philadelphia in the affordable housing sector. 

Yanni Gu

Class Of: 2021

Degree: Neuroscience with a minor in German Language & Literature

Yanni proved to be one of our most engaged undergraduates in the program, organizing many events as president of the German Club and member of the Delta Phi Alpha German Honorary Society.