From one elementary language course, it has developed into a full program of first and second year language courses and advanced courses with emphasis on literature, or advanced reading and writing.
Many students also choose tailor-made courses to meet their specific needs.
The overwhelming students' response has made this course one of the cornerstones of the program. During the Summer of 1998, an intensive Dutch course was offered. Two of the students were accepted in a special research course for art historians in the Netherlands this year. Lately, the unification of European monetary and socio-political affairs have raised the interest in Dutch language, the first language of the community after English, French, German and Spanish, spoken by more than 20 million people worldwide. Within the University of Michigan there exists a wide variety of contacts between Dutch and Flemish Studies and other Departments or Programs, including Linguistics, Art History, History, South and South East Asian Studies and Political Science.