German Studies

Scenes of Germany

German is one of the world’s leading languages for the arts, culture, philosophy, science, technology, and commerce. Because of its cultural traditions and its history — which should be “required reading” for the present age— we believe that German Studies belongs at the core of the liberal arts curriculum.

At Connecticut College we teach German Studies from a cultural studies perspective, embracing literary studies, film, philosophy, history, and socio-economic and political issues. Although most of the courses are taught in the German language, some are offered in English with an additional German discussion section. German-speaking faculty in departments such as History, Government, Philosophy, Religious Studies offer related courses in those fields.

Majors and minors are strongly encouraged to spend a semester or year studying in Germany on a state-to-state exchange program with Baden-Württemberg, home of many ancient and illustrious universities. Through the John S. King German Travel Scholarship, we offer funds on a competitive basis to majors and minors to engage in summer study in Germany. The German Studies department has strong connection to the Toor-Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts (CISLA), and we are proud of the number of Fulbright Scholars in German that the department has produced over the years.

The presence of German exchange students on campus, and the continued teaching appointment of Dr. Gerhard Hufnagel (Professor of Political Science at Siegen University) each spring semester, offer excellent opportunities to interact with native speakers and learn about social customs and academic life in Germany. Stammtisch, the daily German lunch table in the international dining room in Knowlton House, provides a place for informal conversation between students and faculty.

The German Studies department sponsors academic lectures, film screenings and readings by German figures such as Frank Beyer and Thomas Brussig, Oktoberfest and other social occasions.