German

The German major is no longer accepting new students.

German is the third most popular foreign language taught worldwide and among the ten most commonly spoken languages in the world. Many of the Western world’s most important works in philosophy, literature, music, and science are written in German and continue to be produced in German. German is the second most commonly used scientific language in the world. Learning German can connect you to 120 million native speakers around the globe.

About the Major

Students majoring in German are urged to study abroad in one of the approved programs in a German-speaking area. Many German majors study in Freiburg, Munich, Heidelberg, or Hamburg. The Europe in Transition Program is a Spring semester, comparative-studies, field-research program in Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Germany. It explores the process of transition to a post-industrial, post-communist, European Union. Financial aid is available for all approved programs.

German majors choose from two different concentrations:

  • German Studies: The German Studies program prepares students planning careers in international law, foreign service, and international business.
  • German Literature: German Literature focuses on writings in German from present-day German nonfiction to the prose, drama, and poetry of Goethe.

Related Minors

Think Big

Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.

We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis. OWU provides opportunities, including traveling abroad, for you to explore an existing problem or develop a totally new avenue of exploration. You can work with a faculty mentor and apply for grant funding—and present your research at the Student Symposium in the spring.

Research & Independent Study

500 Years After Luther

Religion major and German minor Kiersten Payne ’17 traveled to Wittenberg, Germany, to study how the secularization of German society impacts the practices of Christians and Christian churches in Wittenberg, where the Protestant Reformation began.

Go Global

Students majoring in German are urged to study abroad for a semester in one of the approved programs in a German-speaking area.

Also, Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas you've learned about in class. Travel-Learning courses in history, chemistry and astronomy have included travel to Germany.

Study Abroad Travel-Learning Courses

Travel-Learning Courses

Students in Dr. Arnold's "Castles and Cathedrals" course explore the castles of Germany and their role in the political and religious systems of the time period they were built.

Salzburg Semester

Mark Mandych ’16 spent a semester studying at the University of Salzburg in Austria, and volunteered as an English teaching assistant at a local high school. During his senior year, he won a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program grant to spend 10 months teaching English in Germany.

Get Real

Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships and OWU-funded grants that help you put theory into practice.

Many German majors travel to Germany to connect their classroom learning with real-world experience.

Theory-to-Practice Grants Internships

Science in Germany

German Studies and Zoology major Emily Johnson ’15 used an OWU-funded Theory-to-Practice Grant to study which trees were preferred by foraging European Nuthatches in Germany.

Berlin Art Scene

Megan Pinto ’14 received a Theory-to-Practice Grant to study the impact of immigrant artists on Berlin’s flourishing, international arts scene.

Watch the Video

Highlights

Living the Language

Students can apply to live in two different Small Living Units that focus on learning languages and celebrating international cultural diversity. In the House of Linguistic Diversity (HOLD), students can explore and share their interests in language, diversity, and culture. The house hosts language talks and other cultural events on campus. The Citizens of the World House provides international, social, and cultural events and discussions from members who are from both near and abroad. 

More information

Phi Sigma Iota Honorary Society

Phi Sigma Iota is an international honor society whose members are selected from among outstanding students of foreign languages and literatures including classics and comparative literature. Its primary objectives are the recognition of remarkable ability and achievement in foreign languages and literatures, and the stimulation of advanced work and individual research in these fields. OWU’s chapter was founded in 1978.

Language Learning Center

The Language Learning Center (UN 213) offers language students a space to read, study, work on projects with classmates or attend language tutoring sessions supported by the WLC department. Advanced students and/or native speakers can apply to become language tutors with faculty endorsement.

Student Board

Members of the World Languages & Cultures student board have several responsibilities which can include serving as liaisons between students and faculty, interviewing candidates for faculty positions, evaluating WLC faculty for retention, merit, promotion and/or tenure, occasionally developing a program or programs involving outside speakers, and planning WLC special events.

Graduate Outcomes

Kiersten Payne '17

Kiersten used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to study Christianity and society in Germany. She is currently pursuing an MA in the History of Christianity at Yale Divinity School.

Travel Guide Author

Cameron Hewitt '98 majored in German and studied Spanish at OWU. Since 2000 he has worked for travel guru Rick Steves and is now Steves' lead editor and coauthor. He has traveled to and written about more than 35 European countries and appears on radio and television.

Cameron's Blog

Editing Opportunities

Josie DiNovo double majored in German Studies and English, and spent a year abroad in Frankfurt. She now works as a Copy Editor for The Freedonia Group in Cleveland, Ohio.

Graduate School?

Michele Gilbert '11, a German and Psychology double major, earned a Master’s of Public Health degree at Columbia University and is now a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C.

Fulbright Scholar

Mark Mandych '16 earned a Fulbright grant to teach English in Germany for ten months. While at OWU, he studied abroad at the University of Salzburg in Austria and helped teach English to high school students.

Read the Story Here

Headlines

Events

A Look at German

See All 6 Items
Castles and Cathedrals— Dr. Arnold's course is popular among German, AMRS, History, Religion, and French majors.

Castles and Cathedrals

Dr. Arnold's course is popular among German, AMRS, History, Religion, and French majors.
Study Abroad— Sarah Lucas '16 spent a semester studying abroad in Germany.

Study Abroad

Sarah Lucas '16 spent a semester studying abroad in Germany.
Porta Nigra— An OWU Travel-Learning class explores Porta Nigra, a large Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. It's the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps.

Porta Nigra

An OWU Travel-Learning class explores Porta Nigra, a large Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. It's the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps.
Travel Opportunities— You can participate in a Travel-Learning Course as early as your first year, and study abroad your Junior or Senior year.

Travel Opportunities

You can participate in a Travel-Learning Course as early as your first year, and study abroad your Junior or Senior year.
Small Class Sizes— Dr. Wolber holds a German class outside.

Small Class Sizes

Dr. Wolber holds a German class outside.
Fulbright Scholar— Mark Mandych ’16 explores the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, Germany, during his time as a Fulbright Scholar in the country.

Fulbright Scholar

Mark Mandych ’16 explores the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, Germany, during his time as a Fulbright Scholar in the country.

Department Contact Info

Location

University Hall 212
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Office hours: 8:30 am -12:00 pm
P 740-368-3667
E wlc@owu.edu

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Department Contact

Chair:  Andrea Colvin
Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages & Cultures – Spanish
University Hall 210
740-368-3682
arcolvin@owu.edu

Academic Assistant: Beth Fedoush
740-368-3667
bmfedoush@owu.edu