A streetscape in a small German town, displaying cobbled streets, white and pink flowers, and traditional timber-and-beam-houses.

Germanic Studies

Exploring the rich tapestry of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Immersed in the history, literature, culture and ideas of the German-speaking world.

The language of musicians, philosophers and scientists, German is spoken by more than 100 million people and has a major presence on the European and world stages. Established in the 1850s, our discipline boasts a long history of teaching excellence and has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in Australia. 

We offer language studies to beginner, intermediate and advanced speakers, as well as exchange programs with universities in Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Cologne, Freiburg and Constance. Our research areas span a wide range of academic enquiry that includes historic and contemporary German literature, cinema, art, history and German as a foreign language.

Our study offering

Study both the German language and culture, including literature, film, history and society. Through exchange programs in Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Cologne, Freiburg and Constance, you will experience exciting opportunities to enhance your language proficiency and deepen your understanding of German culture.

Undergraduate

*Available in the shared pool of majors and minors

Research

Our research 

Our discipline has a strong research focus across these areas: 

  • Contemporary German literature, culture and society
  • German colonialism and nationalism
  • History of Germans in Australia and the Pacific
  • German, Austrian and Swiss film
  • Women and gender studies
  • German as a foreign language, applied linguistics, educational linguistics
  • 19th and 20th century German history

Learn more: Languages and cultures research

 

Exchange

Our advanced exchange programs provide life-changing experiences in Germany and Austria where students exercise their language skills and develop an understanding of cultural intricacies first hand.

  • Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg
  • Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  • Freie Universität Berlin
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich 
  • Technical University Berlin
  • Universität Bamberg
  • Universität Konstanz
  • Universität Mannheim
  • Universität Wien, Vienna
  • Universität zu Köln, Cologne

  

Our people

  • Dr Nick Enright
  • Emilie Kolb
  • Dominik Lack
  • Michael Rieke
  • Silke Schoppe 

Events

See our school's calendar for a full listing of upcoming events.

Chair

Contact

Phone
Email
Address
  • School of Languages and Cultures, Room 506, Brennan MacCallum Building A18, The University of Sydney NSW 2006

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