The German program promotes an understanding of the extraordinary contributions made by German-speaking writers, artists, and thinkers to the past eight hundred years of civilization, and their implications for the modern world in which Germany and the German speaking countries play a pivotal role. It provides a gateway to cultural studies and international affairs and business. A wide range of courses in German gives students with varied interests and goals the opportunity to attain a thorough knowledge of the language, literature, and general culture. The program also provides a significant number of courses in English so that students not conversant in German may become familiar with important aspects of German culture and contemporary life.