Harvard’s Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures provides an array of courses and research possibilities for both undergraduates and graduate students. Our curriculum includes panoramic surveys and close-up views of German literature and culture from all epochs informed by pertinent theoretical and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Our distinguished faculty has research interests ranging from medieval theater and the Age of Goethe to colonial discourse and postwall literature. Department colleagues work in close collaboration with students, advising them on theses and dissertations and providing one-on-one tutorials. A strength of our program is our language offerings, which include German, Swedish, and Dutch. An interactive approach emphasizing speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing allows students to develop quick fluency.