Welcome

Welcome to Duke University's Department of Germanic Languages and Literature. Our Department offers innovative Undergraduate and Graduate programs that combine the best of past traditions and cutting edge research and pedagogy. Whether students come to us with experience in German language and culture or begin their explorations with us, they can expect to be challenged and stimulated in their study of language, literature, film and culture at all levels.

Please see our mission statement for further details of our department goals.

Our Doctoral Program in German Studies seeks to foster genuinely interdisciplinary approaches to German culture from the medieval period to the present. The Program's structure and strong ties to other Duke Programs (such as Literature, Art History, Film & Video, Music, Women's Studies and Medieval and Renaissance Studies) encourage students to develop an individual program of study with competence in a traditional literary period and a topic of advanced research, which students develop in accordance with their interests. The Program also benefits from regular exchange relationships with German universities, extensive teaching training and mentoring, and long-term financial support.