The German department at Princeton is recognized as the leading department in the nation, with special faculty strength in the literature of the Middle Ages, late 18th- and early 19th-century literature, 20th-century literature, literary theory, linguistics, visual arts, and film. The department is large enough to offer coverage of all major periods in the history of German literature, as well as many courses focused on special interests. Yet, it is small enough to offer the potential concentrator small classes and extensive faculty contact, both in the adviser-advisee relationship and in the general life of the department.
German department majors have their choice of five distinct programs of study: German literature, German cultural studies, the study of two literatures, Germanic linguistics, and German culture and politics. Central to the success of our program are also the many opportunities open to our majors for experience abroad in the German-speaking nations of Europe, including study abroad at the Freie Universität Berlin and opportunities for summer employment through the Summer Work Program. In addition, the department has funds for our majors to enable them to travel to Europe for research related to the junior and senior independent work.
With the critical thinking, linguistic, and cultural skills gained in the German Department, graduates frequently go on to study and work in medicine, law, and business, as well as academic fields such as German or comparative literature, philosophy, political science, and history.
