Department of German and Russian Studies

German Studies

Our interdisciplinary German Studies curriculum offers a diverse range of courses in language, literature and culture. Courses on topics including literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, visual culture, sports culture, and contemporary society are designed to allow students to follow their passions, develop their intellectual curiosity and pursue their interests with rigor and depth. The program is known for its best practices in language learning and teaching as well as its innovative approaches to student-centered instruction in German Studies.

We offer a major, a double major, and a minor in German Studies. Advanced language proficiency in German is a core part of all three of these degree options, and studying abroad, while not required, is strongly recommended (and thoughtfully supported) for all three. The German major consists of 40 credits of coursework beyond elementary German; the double major consists of 36 credits of coursework beyond elementary German. For both the major and double major, at least 12 credits of the total must come from advanced seminars conducted in German on various topics related to the culture, history, and society of German-speaking countries. The German minor consists of 24 credits of coursework beyond elementary German, at least 8 of which must come from advanced seminars taught in German.

German Studies majors, double majors, and minors acquire language proficiency and an understanding of the culture and literature of the German-speaking world while learning about the ideas and discourses that have informed German Studies as a field. Internationalization and intercultural competencies are deep and lasting benefits of majoring or minoring in German. Students who have majored or minored in German also mention improvements to their critical thinking, communication skills, and analytical skills as key benefits of the program, alongside small class sizes and the opportunity to get to know their professors better and form friendships with other students.

Study abroad programs in Leipzig and Graz are open to students in all disciplines. Courses toward the major, double major, and minor can also be taken during study abroad.Through generous endowments the program offers financial support for study abroad to majors and minors. Additional funds provided by program alumni recognize outstanding work in German studies at the intermediate and advanced levels and support departmental activities, such as lectures by leading scholars in German studies and other events.

Russian Studies

The Russian studies program offers a broad range of instruction that combines language training with courses (taught in English) that provide exposure to Russian literature and culture. Language instruction extends from the beginning through the advanced level. Instruction stresses the basic skills - comprehension, speaking, reading and writing - and aims primarily to develop practical competency in two semesters. For heritage speakers of Russian, the course sequence Russian for Russians makes it possible to gain basic reading and writing competency. Russia’s literature and culture are introduced in a permanent sequence of lower- and upper-level courses.

Interested students can pursue a major or a minor in Russian studies.

Honors Programs

German Studies Honors Program

German studies majors who intend to graduate with honors should contact the director of undergraduate studies at the beginning of their senior year: Honors are awarded on the basis of demonstrated advanced proficiency in German, an honors thesis written under the supervision of a faculty member in German, and an A-average in all courses in German, with no more than one course below an A-. High Honors: Requirements for honors, plus a grade of an A on a substantive research paper written as an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member in German.

Russian Studies Honors Program

The director of undergraduate studies administers the Russian honors program. Students interested in honors must consult with the director to determine eligibility, and eligible students must submit a proposal no later than September of the senior year. To be eligible to earn honors, a Russian major must have a GPA of 3.60 in Russian studies courses, not counting courses taken Pass/Fail. The student must write an honors thesis and the thesis must be judged worthy (of honors, high honors or highest honors) by the faculty supervisor and one other member of the department (or a faculty member outside the department approved by the undergraduate director). In case of disagreement between the two readers, a third is designated by the undergraduate director. This work may be completed during the student’s last semester. Students writing an honors thesis will register for RUSS 499 Honors Thesis. However, this course may not be used to satisfy the major requirement. For more information, the student should refer to the Rules Governing the Preparation of Undergraduate Honors Theses, available from the undergraduate director.