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German

To study a language at Bethel is to do more than memorize vocabulary words and sentence structures. It is to delve into the culture, to understand the people and their history, to truly become a member of a global community. To study German at Bethel is to learn an important part of this college’s history. The Mennonite founders of Bethel College in the late 19th century were German-speaking immigrants from Russia.

As a German major at Bethel, you will graduate with German language skills that permit you to function successfully in German academic settings and daily living. Since foreign languages are an integral part of the liberal arts, you will develop an increased awareness of other cultures, literatures, history, and social and political structures. You will be able to use your language skills to complete research involving both primary and secondary sources published in German. In addition, you will be able to integrate your liberal arts learning with your newfound knowledge of another language and culture.

Bethel is the only small college in Kansas with a major in German. Because of our size, you’ll have lots of opportunities for one-on-one interactions with faculty members and fellow students, both in and out of the classroom. You may find yourself in a sidewalk conversation in German when you meet your professor between classes. Students in upper-level German courses gather to eat dinner and converse in German together weekly. Using the language in such settings will help you develop excellent language skills.

The major requires at least one semester of study in a German-speaking country. A popular option for study abroad is the Wuppertal Exchange Program with Bergische Universität in Wuppertal, Germany, one of the oldest exchange programs with a German university in the United States.