Why Study German and Scandinavian at the UO?
Located in a progressive community in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and with a program that spans medieval sagas to contemporary literature, theory, and film, ours is an integrated department of German and Scandinavian that is just the right size: small enough that you’ll easily find a home here, and big enough that you can study with numerous mentors.
We offer several options to suit your interests, each featuring personalized attention from your professors. All are available as a major or minor, and for the BA and the BS:
- German
- Scandinavian
- German and Scandinavian Studies (interdisciplinary)
It’s easy to pursue double majors and major-minor combinations of all sorts.
The Department of German and Scandinavian offers both MA and PhD programs. Our graduate students have the opportunity to study with leading scholars, to support themselves financially while gaining experience as teachers in the classroom, and to follow their intellectual passions as they collaborate with faculty to realize their own research projects.
Our students have access to dozens of study abroad programs in Germany and Scandinavia, from our decades-long partnership with Heidelberg, Tübingen, and other universities in Baden-Württemberg to numerous specialized programs in Berlin, Copenhagen, Uppsala and beyond. Our majors can apply for several scholarships that in some cases cover the full cost of a term abroad.
Studying the languages and cultures of Germany and Scandinavia opens up a wide range of career opportunities in fields like high tech, publishing, finance, education, and the arts—in both the U.S. and Europe. As our alumni profiles demonstrate, language study can take you just about anywhere!
Our faculty is comprised of both German and Scandinavian specialists whose research interests range from folklore and fantasy to gender and film, and from psychoanalysis and Jewish studies to philosophy and critical thought. They are passionate scholars who inform and inspire, and are dedicated mentors who help students build real-world skills and strong professional networks.