German Graduate Program


The Department of Germanic Languages at Columbia has long been considered one of the strongest German departments in the country. We offer a rich and comprehensive curriculum on the history of German literature and culture from 1750 to the present. Our areas of strength include literary theory, intellectual history, media history, gender studies, film, literature and science, translation theory as well as German-Jewish culture. Courses offered by the department range from small seminars that are taught in German to larger cross-disciplinary courses in English that also address students from cognate disciplines. While emphasizing the careful analysis of literary texts in their historical and cultural contexts, we encourage students to combine their study of German literature and thought with coursework in neighboring programs and departments. In addition to close mentoring by our core faculty, students profit from working with our affiliated faculty from art history, comparative literature, history, philosophy, architecture, and anthropology. Strong ties to our international partner institution, the Free University in Berlin, allow students to engage in graduate study and research abroad. Our Ph.D.s receive excellent training in language pedagogy, and we are proud of preparing them for a successful career. The department’s placement record has consistently been among the very best in the country.