Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.

Majors in German will be able to:

• Perform advanced German grammar: the spontaneous production of grammatically correct German in both written and spoken form -- ideally attaining advanced -mid on the ACTFL proficiency scale.
• Grasp German stylistics: the ability to produce written and spoken German in the style appropriate to the context and the targeted audience.
• Grasp the workings of German culture and cultural history: the ability to discuss complex literary and cultural expressions at a sophisticated level, producing, demonstrating, and defending definable arguments.
• Perform proper research methodology: the ability to locate and make productive use of secondary sources, to frame an argument by means of an effective structure.