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German Studies

Minor

Immerse yourself in the German culture and prepare for an interesting and interconnected future.

Willamette students in a German Studies class

Germany is known for its economic and industrial prowess and, as Europe’s most populous country, there are millions of German speakers around the world. In today’s increasingly interconnected and globally conscious world, one of the greatest assets you can have as you enter the workforce is a deep understanding of another culture. As a German Studies student, you will develop comprehensive language skills and gain valuable cultural awareness that will benefit your own pursuits and support the community around you.

This is a close-knit, collaborative program where students develop their language skills together both in class and at immersive cultural events, German-speaking lunch tables, and German language movie nights. You will also have the opportunity to participate in community service projects and connect with German-speaking members of the Salem community.

Through deep discussions of the literature, art, film, philosophy, history, and politics of Germany, you will gain a broad perspective of the German culture, values, and people. You also have the option to take advantage of our study abroad program and fully immerse yourself in your studies as you deepen your understanding and appreciation of German traditions.

The skills and expertise you gain as a German Studies student will lead to a variety of career opportunities in fields such as government, translation, foreign service, journalism, tourism, business, technology, education, law, and non-profit work.

Learn more

Information about the German Studies program at Willamette

Featured Alumni

German & Russian

Diana Serrano ’10

  • Secondary English learner who was raised in rural Mexico and Woodburn, Oregon
  • Earned an M.A. from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California, then a PhD at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.
  • Became a Strategic Data Project fellow through Harvard University in 2019
Tejeswara Reddy
German & Russian

Tejeswara Reddy '15

  • Taught English in Greece through the Fulbright U.S. Student program
  • Former high school math teacher and U.S Department of Education Policy Fellow
  • Studied genetically modified crops in India as a Willamette Carson Scholar and oversaw a group of volunteers who worked with Chicago’s homeless population through Take A Break
German & Russian

Eric Swinn ’06

  • First-generation student from Roseburg, Oregon
  • Double major in French and Russian who seized opportunities for study abroad and learning from his professors
  • Now deputy chief of consular affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels
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German Studies

Address
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900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6253 voice
503-370-6720 fax