BA in German Studies in Irvine United States | University of California Irvine

The German Studies program highlights the humanities-focused pursuit of cultural comprehension and assessment. Classes concentrate on language, literature, and cinema within their broader contexts—examining the historical, social, philosophical, linguistic, intellectual, and political environments in which they were created and continue to be experienced. German-language literature, film, and culture courses provide multiple analytical viewpoints, from historical and social interpretations to feminist critiques and cultural studies approaches. Subject matter spans individual writers, historical eras, literary styles, the evolution of German-language literature and cinema, philosophical thought, theoretical discourse, European cultural exchanges, and cultural expressions within global societal and political frameworks.

Students can pair the German Studies major with any other academic program at UCI as a dual major, while the minor complements any UCI degree.

Instruction occurs primarily in German, when aligned with course objectives. Introductory language classes foster conversational, auditory, reading, and writing abilities through an interactive, cooperative, activity-oriented approach. These courses prioritize developing genuine cultural understanding in German, incorporating authentic resources and materials from the outset. Intermediate-level courses (second year) utilize genuine literary works and cultural artifacts (theater, media) while recreating practical scenarios. These classes further aim to enhance students' liberal arts education and sharpen their analytical reasoning skills.