German Program
Why Study German?
German is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and more Europeans speak German natively than English, French, Italian, or Spanish. In Western Europe, German is second only to English as the most often spoken second language and, in Eastern Europe, German is the principal language of business, diplomacy, and tourism. Indeed, as far away as the bazaars of Afghanistan, you are more likely to hear "Sprechen sie Deutsch?" than "Do you speak English?" The question is not why should you learn German; the question is why didn't you start sooner!
Studying German at the University of Notre Dame opens avenues into a rich world of exploration, adventure, and learning. Understanding German enables you to experience diverse cultural, intellectual, and religious traditions. Besides being a reward in itself, knowing German also opens doors in the field of business and is of inestimable value for those who go on to pursue graduate degrees.
The Department of German at Notre Dame is an excellent place to begin, enhance, or perfect your knowledge of German. With small classes-- typically ten to fifteen students enroll in each course- students receive personalized, individual instruction.
The Department is also the center of lively social activity. The departmental lounge in O'Shaughnessy Hall is a place where students can meet with their friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, check their email on the public computer, or read one of the books in our own library. In addition, a regular "Kaffeestunde" brings together professors and students to speak German in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our German Club organizes annual excursions to Chicago's Weihnachtsmarkt and a departmental film series provides yet another activity to engage students outside of the classroom.
For more information regarding the German Progam please contact Denise Della Rossa, Director of Undergraduate Studies for German, at 574-631-2216 or email her at dellarossa.1@nd.edu.
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Modern Language Association
