Master of Arts in Germanic Languages

Established in 1890, the department offers a broad range of courses on German literature and culture and is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in their areas of interest. Particular strengths include German literature from the 18th century to the present. Faculty members pride themselves on the individual attention they give to their students. While the departmental faculty represents a spectrum of different approaches, the program includes an emphasis on literary and critical theory as well as a concern with reading texts in social and historical context. Students are encouraged to add an interdisciplinary dimension to their studies by pursuing related course work in other departments and programs, especially Comparative Literature and Society.

Deutsches Haus, at 420 West 116th Street, provides a center for German cultural activities on the Columbia campus, sponsoring conferences, lectures, film series, and informal weekly gatherings that enrich the academic program of the department. The library contains a large collection of modern German books.

Applicants are expected to have a high degree of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking German and English, and a general knowledge of German literature.