We are convinced this is a misguided decision, which significantly weakens humanities education at McDaniel College. It also comes at a perilous time for the humanities. McDaniel College has boasted a commitment “to excellence in liberal arts and sciences.” Yesterday’s announcement sent a clear message that the leadership of McDaniel College, contrary to its mission, is actively dismantling core subject areas in the humanities and thus supports the national and international attack on humanist education.

This Unbehagen concerned the cultural content being taught, that is, the image of “German” culture conveyed to students in the thematic organization, text selection, and pedagogical scaffolding of beginning- and intermediate-level textbooks, but also in broader scholarly discussions of foreign language curriculum design encountered in publications, conferences and teaching workshops in the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany.