Why Study German at Pitt?
Academic and Cultural Diversity
We are a diverse department offering a variety of degree and certificate options at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Why Study German at Pitt?
Innovative
Instruction
Through innovative instruction in German language and culture, we prepare our undergraduates and graduates for the challenges of the globalized world.
Why Study German at Pitt?
World-Class Faculty
Graduate students work with a world-class faculty respected for their expertise in German literature, culture, film, and philosophy from the 18th through the 21st centuries.
Why Study German at Pitt?
Individualized Mentoring and Training
Our Faculty offer students mentoring through all phases of their studies from study abroad, planning careers, to teacher and professional training.
Why Study German at Pitt?
Dynamic Intellectual Atmosphere
We support a lively and collegial intellectual environment by hosting conferences, film series, essay contests, and inviting prestigious colleagues to share their research.
Event Spotlight
Jane Brown, University of Washington, Seattle
“From Alchemist to Anatomist: Goethe's Faust and Gabriel von Max's Faust Illustrations.” Thurs. Oct. 18, 5:00. Website
Masayo Kajimura, Berlin-based Video and Installation Artist
"Movement Images: An Artist Talk." Mon. Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m. Read More
Fritz Breithaupt, Professor of Germanic Studies, Indiana Univ.
"Toward a Theory of Narrative: Excuses and Moral Reasoning." Tues. Feb. 5, 5:00pm. Website
Russell Berman, Comparative Literature and German Studies, Stanford Univ.
Annual visitor in the spring semester. Website
Nicholas Vazsonyi, Univ. of South Carolina
"Why Wagner?: Some Thoughts on the Occasion of his Bicentennial." Thurs. Mar. 21, 5:00pm. Website
Meet Our People
Ljudmila Bilkic
Mila boldly traverses intellectual and disciplinary boundaries to study those who cross geographical and cultural ones. Read her profile.
Holly Yanacek
With intellectual coolness and composure she researches emotion, affect, and madness. Read her profile.
Gavin Hicks
Soccer, the World Cup, and the textuality of Turkish-German connections is the name of his game. Read his profile
Katrin Mascha
She is marking sites on the map of Berlin that memorialize some very different moments of German history. Read her profile
Yvonne Franke
Researching the imagined communities that make up our increasingly globalized and transnational world. Read her profile
Prof. Muenzer
Following the footsteps of J.W. v. Goethe, Prof. Muenzer leads students to discover "was die Welt im Innersten zusammenhält." Read his profile
Prof. Lyon
Charts undiscovered spaces and places of the 19th century and maneuvers students through treacherous academic waters. Read his profile
Prof. von Dirke
Our discourse queen is the salt and pepper in the Department and lays the beat for a diversity of cultural vibrations. Read her profile
Dr. Wylie-Ernst
A teacher's teacher and good fairy of the TAs is the pedagogical spirit who fills the Cathedral with Learning. Read her profile
Prof. Halle
The Berlinale has its Golden Bear, but Pitt has Prof. Halle. He envisions the impossible and makes students their own auteurs of critical thinking. Read his profile
Of Note
Yvonne Franke receives Mellon Predoctoral and European Union Dissertation Fellowships
Yvonne Franke, Ph.D. candidate, was awarded an Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowship and a European Union Dissertation Fellowship from the European Union Center of Excellence / European Studies Center for the academic year 2011-2012.
Give to the Department of German
Gifts to the department have a direct impact on the daily lives of students and are applied in a variety of ways. See Give Online instructions.