German Language & Literatures
Why take courses in the German department?
When Obies at the college and conservatory come together to learn German, they gain access to the rich language, literature, and culture of German-speaking communities around the world. Given Germany’s central role in the European Union and on the global stage, our students and majors also gain the skills and dispositions necessary to thrive in a cosmopolitan and multicultural context.
What kinds of questions does this field explore?
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How have German thinkers influenced the rest of the world?
- How does language impact culture and society? How do culture and society influence language?
- How do German language, literature, and culture interact with a larger inquiry into the meaning of life?
What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in the German department?
Think of learning German as a key to many doors. Whether you are fascinated by art history, biology, environmental studies, music, physics, or politics, German can enhance and complement your studies.
What else should you know?
Max Kade German House residence hall is a great place to live on campus and a central location for German events throughout the year
Visit the Allen Memorial Art Museum to view extraordinary art from preeminent German artists, including the likes of Albrecht Dürer, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Käthe Kollwitz, and more.
Cultural programming takes place throughout the year, often in the Kade House, but also in many venues across campus - music, films, lectures, recitals.
Student-centered events, including the Translation Symposium, showcase the creative and analytical work of Oberlin’s students of German.
Taking Courses
Course proficiency exam
All students who have studied German–whether or not they have taken the AP exam– are strongly encouraged to take the Oberlin German Placement Test to determine their appropriate level. Please see the Language Placement Tests page for additional information.
Courses for non-majors or general interest
- In in the Fall of 2024: GERM 101 for those who haven't yet begun to learn the German language; in the Spring, German 101 and two courses taught in English: GERM 130: Once Upon a Time: Gender, Nation, and Childhood in Grimms' Fairy Tales, and GERM 246: Sex Under Socialism: Narratives of Sexuality and Ideology
Getting started in the major
Students with no prior experience in German language can begin with GERM 101.
Students with prior experience in German are encouraged to explore courses at the intermediate and advanced levels, particularly those taught in German.
Advanced Placement Credit
Majors may transfer AP credit from AP German (score of 4 or 5) as GERM 300 toward the major requirements. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores.
Majoring in German
Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.
Sample Four-Year Plans
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | GERM 203 FYSP XXX |
GERM 204 GERM 246 |
| Y2 | GERM 316 | GERM 345 |
| Y3 | Study Away | Study Away |
| Y4 | HIST 222 GERM 315 |
GERM 422 GERM 505F |
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | FYSP XXX | |
| Y2 | GERM 101 GERM 130 |
GERM 102 GERM 251 |
| Y3 | GERM 203 | Study Away |
| Y4 | GERM 353 GERM 315 |
GERM 433 |
Related Areas of Study
Art History; Comparative Literature; English; French; Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies; History; Jewish Studies; Journalism; Linguistics; Literary Translation; Musicology; Philosophy; Psychology; and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
Learn More
German Major Requirements
German Language and Literatures Department