Experiences & Opportunities

1. Use German to explore bigger issues.

Many of our majors—and minors—pursue College Honors or other research and creative projects. Some even present or perform their work at national and international conferences.

Senior Projects

• "What about Gretchen? Reading Gender in Goethe and Murnau’s Faust.” Daniel Donnelly '17.
• “Another “Special Relationship”? Diplomacy between the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires before World War I.” Nils Leitz ’16.
• “Jazz in Germany from the Weimar Republic through the Nazi Era.” Kailee Gawlik '14.
• “TV and the People. A Multicultural Analysis of the Relationship between Media and People.” David Gentry '13.

Honors Projects

• “The Role of Societal Ideology in Diaspora-Related Terrorism: An Explanation of Terrorist Activity in France, Germany, and the United States.” Anna Meier '13 ( Political Science & German)
• . “Beautiful Gender-Benders in a Scared-Straight Society.” Brittany Amendolia '11.

2. Learn about German culture through study abroad.

Knox offers several off-campus programs of particular interest to German students. Most recently, the German program co-organized and facilitated European Identities (an interdisciplinary study and travel program) with faculty from history and political science.

Another opportunity for students studying German is the German and European Studies in Berlin program. This program offers coursework in the language, history and theatre in Berlin, a European city full of hopes and promises a different future.

Here are a few of the most popular programs:

Knox-Flensburg Exchange

You'll have access to all courses of study at the European University of Flensburg, making it easy to stay on track with your Knox major/minor. In the past, students have taken courses in history, music, art, environmental studies, textile and fashion design, economics, and more. Additionally, you'll have access to the International Management Baccalaureate program -- a great opportunity if you're interested in business, economics, or related fields. While students are fully integrated into the European University of Flensburg, you'll also have a robust support network like what you experience at Knox. Students benefit from a system of linguistic and academic support courses and workshops, similar to American-style student support services. To assure Knox students are having the best study abroad experience possible, Knox faculty and staff regularly communicate with Flensburg faculty to discuss and work out any issues related to the exchange.

IES Berlin Program

This program provides semester, term and full-year opportunities for rigorous study in German language, social sciences, humanities, and business. Students have access to numerous University facilities including libraries and University Mensas (cafeterias).The city of Berlin has a fascinating geo-political history: its destruction in World War II, its hostile division in the Cold War, the fall of the Wall, the reunification of Germany, and the growth of Germany as a major cultural, economic, and political force in the 21st century. This history and its present importance makes Berlin an ideal place to study international relations, security studies, sociology, business and economics, as well as film, art and German language.

IES Freiburg Program 

The Freiburg programs offer opportunities for students to study in Germany, combining language and culture studies with concentrations on the European Union or on Environmental Studies and Sustainability.  Opportunities to explore Freiburg and the surrounding Black Forest with its many hiking trails are components of both programs, and the EU program includes a required integrative seminar with group travel to EU member countries.

IES Vienna: Music

This program offers the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of courses focusing on music and European culture and society. Students select courses in the following areas: music history, music theory & composition, performances studies, German language and literature, and European area studies. Courses are taught in English and German. The program provides features tailored to the needs and interests of music students: private lessons, practice rooms, instrument storage, and local instrument rental. Students with advanced German language skills may enroll in courses at the University of Vienna in order to experience the Austrian education system first-hand, or select a combination of program and university courses.

3. Explore life after Knox with internships.

There's no better way to explore the possibilities of life after Knox than internships. Some students even extend their study abroad experience with a summer internship in Germany. Our students' internships are found with the assistance of the Bastian Family Center for Career Success.

• Intern, German Historical Institute, Washington, D.C. Sophie Croll ’16.
• Physics Laboratory Intern, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. Annelise Hablutzel ’16.
• Intern, Ida Nowhere Art Gallery, Berlin, Germany. Alyssa Kennamer ’14.
• Intern, IKS Jazz School, Rüsselheim, Germany. Kailee Gawlik ’14.
• Intern, Museum of European Cultures, Berlin, Germany. Christina Colman ’13.