Department of German

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Why Study Here?

"Die Grenzen deiner Sprache sind die Grenzen deiner Welt."

("The limits of your language are the limits of your world.")

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

Study German at Dalhousie

Studying German opens a window into the country's rich culture and heritage, and its literature and thought. German writers—such as Luther, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Freud, and Heidegger—made significant contributions to modern thought and German literature, and laid the groundwork for modern subjectivity and notions of freedom.

Knowledge of the German language is also an asset to careers in such fields as engineering, art history, journalism, diplomatic service, linguistics, relief work, education, archaeology, economics, theatre studies, music, film, political science, architecture — the list goes on!

Because it's one of the most widely spoken of all European languages, German is one of the most practical languages to study. A solid background in German can enhance your career path, whether you dream of being a translator, a foreign diplomat, or a professor. You may also choose to combine German studies with other programs, such as Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS) or Political Science.

Classes

The Department of German offers classes for beginning to advanced speakers. We also specialize in German literature and thought of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.  

Through our language classes, you'll gain a thorough grasp of German grammar, combined with practical competence in speaking, reading and writing. German literature classes are generally offered in German above the 2000-level, giving you the benefit of an immersion atmosphere. 

Discover the great Germanic epic of the Nibelungen, later adopted by Wagner for his Ring cycle, in German Folk and Fairy Tales. Or head into the Black Forest for some storytelling by the Brothers Grimm. More advanced classes delve into Germany's major thinkers, including Goethe, Kant, Luther, Hegel and Nietzsche.