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Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

  • Alexanderplatz

The German Program at USC

Do you want to understand and be able to speak with the 100 million German speakers in Europe and around the world? Do you want to more fully understand German history and culture? Do you want to be able to relate to poets like Goethe and Walther von der Vogelweide, thinkers like Kant, Nietzsche, and Hannah Arendt and composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Clara Schumann? Do you want to more fully understand political leaders like Bismarck and Merkel, scientists like Alexander von Humboldt and Emmy Noether, and theologians like Meister Eckhart and Martin Luther? And do you want to be able to negotiate in one of the main languages in Europe, world economics and politics?

Why Study German? 

An undergraduate concentration or minor in German will give you a head start on the future. In the twenty-first century, unified Germany has become the economic and political leader of the European Union and has the world’s third largest economy. It is also one of the main partners of the United States in an increasingly internationalized world. Right here in South Carolina, there are over 120 German companies. A concentration in German can prepare you for almost any career because you learn important intercultural communication skills necessary in any type of job, including becoming more accepting of perspectives other than your own and being able to communicate with people from other cultures. With a concentration in German, you could also pursue a career in education, translation, international business, international law, the Foreign Service, and hospitality and tourism.

Scholarships

  • The Gerda Jordan Scholarship 
  • The Maria Reyes Scholarship 
  • The Hoechst Scholarship

How to Apply

Submit a sample essay in German that you wrote for a German course at the University of South Carolina. (Submissions will generally be solicited at the start of Spring semester.)

Students who receive the stipends must apply the funds to expenses associated with studying German language and literature at USC during the academic year.

Contact the Prof. Yvonne Ivory for more information about Undergraduate Awards in German.

 

Outside Scholarships

 

National German Honor Society 

Our program is home to the Sigma Chapter of the National German Honor Society, Delta Phi Alpha.

To become a member you must have:

  1. A minimum of two years of college or university German or their equivalent with the attainment of sophomore standing and an official registration in an advanced German course or its equivalent or corresponding advanced placement.
  2. A minimum grade average of  B+ or its equivalent in all German courses taken.
  3. Indication of continued interest in the study of the German language, literature, and culture.

If you have any questions about Delta Phi Alpha, please contact the program director, Prof. Lara Ducate.

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