自范德比尔特大学于1873年成立以来，就开始提供范德比尔特德语。该课程包括对德语国家（如德文，奥地利和瑞士）的现在和过去进行研究。我们计划的目标是培养批判性思维，增进跨文化理解并促进更有效的书面和口头交流。我们的系提供德语和英语课程，并为学生准备商业，政府和学术界的各种专业。我们强调掌握德语技能，研究从中世纪到现在的知识和文化历史，并提供使学生能够跨不同学科工作的课程，包括历史，哲学，音乐和视觉艺术。为了确保语言水平和智力发展，我们的班级很小，并基于交流和互动。一个德语宿舍，社交活动以及电影和讲座系列提供
Offered by the dynamic and interdisciplinary Department of German, Russian, and East European Studies, the German program gives students the tools to succeed in a variety of fields in a globalized world. With an emphasis on the language, literature, and culture of German-speaking regions, our goals are to guide students in developing German language skills, foster critical thinking skills and cross-cultural perspectives, and support innovative collaborations that recognize the critical importance of German-speaking cultures for our globally connected present.<br><br>Courses in the department, offered in both German and English, emphasize the acquisition of German language skills and the study of German literature and culture. Our courses offer students the opportunity to work across disciplines, including history, philosophy, education, music, and the visual arts, complement their career paths in engineering, finance, and the sciences, and add a holistic edge to aspirations in medicine and law. To ensure language proficiency and intellectual development, many of our classes are small and based on exchange and interaction. Social activities such as Kaffeestunde, Language Table, Halloween and Holiday Parties, and film and lecture series provide opportunities to further engage with German culture. In addition, our department offers several study abroad programs.<br><br>Given Germany's economic strength, leading role in the European Union, rich intellectual heritage, and strategic geographical position between East and West, expertise in its language and culture enhances students career opportunities.