Emphasis is on literature, language, and civilization.
Civilization is interpreted here as including broader cultural works affecting the study of literature, including the theater and the cinema. The interdisciplinary approach of courses and research within the German department are supported by the various pertinent collections in art, history, philosophy, and the social sciences. The collection consists principally of literary texts and criticism in German. Works of major authors are also collected in English translation. Criticism, literary history, and theory are collected in German as well as in English.