German Studies
German is the most widely spoken language in the post-Brexit European Union, along with English and French. It is the official language of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein and an official language in Switzerland and Luxembourg. Over 130 million people around the world speak German, and around 7.5 million people in 42 countries belong to a German-speaking minority.
The major and minor in German Studies empower undergraduate students to shape an increasingly interconnected world with greater intercultural competence. The German language and its cultures have remained on the forefront of artistic, literary, scientific, and economic developments (GDP by nation). An important legacy has also been the ongoing effort to build a European and a global future based on acknowledging, remembering, and constantly (re-)processing the Holocaust and the Nazis’ crimes against humanity (Reparations). Since the end of World War II, and continuing in recent decades, Germany has been committed to stand out as an example of a tolerant, welcoming, multicultural country with a focus on European and global social, political, and humanitarian values. Its vibrant and diverse cities are home to millions of people with highly diverse biographic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds.
World-class universities in German-speaking countries provide low-cost opportunities for post-baccalaureate studies across academic fields. This includes programs taught in English. The study of German at UF occurs in a variety of instructional modalities and platforms, such as in-person, hybrid, synchronous, and asynchronous learning, thus providing a blend of learning formats for students with diverse backgrounds, schedules, priorities, and goals (click here to see what some UF graduates have been doing with their German majors and minors). This opportunity allows them to become informed world citizens with excellent transferable analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Learn more about the German placement test
Undergraduate/Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Eric Kligerman
206 Walker Hall
ekligerm@ufl.edu
352-392-9283