Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
Germanic Studies Degree.. .BA
German Degree MA
Russian Studies Degree BA
Undergraduate students may choose to major in either Germanic studies or Russian studies.
The major in Germanic studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on study of the German language, its manifestations in history, and its usage in the current cultural and social context; the literary, artistic, and philosophical aspects of German culture in the past and the present; the major historical events and developments in Germany and its neighboring countries, and the current political institutions and dynamics in Germany within the broader European framework.
The undergraduate degree in Germanic studies emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
- the fundamental outlines of German history and culture;
- the history of modern German literature, 1750 to the present;
- cultural developments in modern German-speaking Central Europe, such as the arts, the cinema, and architecture; and
- central issues such as the Nazi era and the Holocaust, the roles of women, German attitudes toward non-Germans, German culture after reunification, and their reflection in German literature, arts, and media.
In addition, students completing the degree in Germanic studies are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
- read German at a level at which critical literary and cultural analyses can be performed;
- write and speak German sufficiently to participate in critical discussions and write critical essays; and
- speak and comprehend German sufficiently for all situations in daily life, especially the business and professional sectors of German life.
The major in Russian studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on study of the current cultural and social context, and the literary, artistic, and historical aspects of Russian culture in the past and present. The aim of the language curriculum is to equip students to read, write, speak, and understand Russian on a level allowing communication with natives and other users of the language. Before registering for a course, students should consult with a departmental advisor concerning appropriate placement.
Students interested in Russian studies should consider a double major in order to increase their career opportunities. Prospective teachers might combine Russian studies with a major in another foreign language, while those preparing for a career in government, business, or social services should benefit from a combination of Russian studies and a social science or business major. Students structure their curriculum according to the departmental checklist for majors, in close consultation with a departmental advisor.
The undergraduate degree in Russian studies emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
- the fundamental outlines of the history of Russian literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present day;
- the major Russian creative writers of the 19th and 20th centuries;
- the historical context of Russian literature and culture; and
- basic critical methodologies as they relate to the study of Russian literature.
In addition, students with a degree in Russian studies are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
- comprehend contemporary Russian, written or spoken, to a degree permitting sophisticated analysis of cultural texts;
- analyze Russian literary texts and give a reasoned response to them in literate English; and
- write and converse in Russian at their own intellectual level.
Bachelor's Degree Programs +
Germanic Studies +
Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.
| The major requirement in Germanic studies is 34 hours beyond GRMN 2010 (with grades of C- or above). Students design their own major in consultation with the undergraduate advisor and a faculty mentor. Completion of the following courses is required; at least 18 hours from the department must be upper division. Students who test out of GRMN 2020 are required to complete 33 hours. |
A. German Language Courses (13 semester hours minimum) +
| Completion of the following German language courses or demonstration of third year proficiency: GRMN 2020 Intermediate German (4 hours) or GRMN 2030 Intensive Intermediate German (5 hours), GRMN 3010 Advanced German 1 (3 hours), GRMN 3020 Advanced German 2 (3 hours), GRMN 4010 Advanced German and Stylistics (3 hours of GRMN 4010 is required of all majors, and must be taken at CU-Boulder). |
B. German Culture, Literature, and Other Electives (21 semester hours) +
| GRMN 4550 Senior Seminar (required and must be taken at CU-Boulder) and any six GRMN literature/culture courses. At least two of the six courses must be upper-division, and at least two must be in German. With the approval of the German program faculty advisor, one course from another department may be taken in lieu of one of the six courses, provided that the course has a direct link to German studies. | |
| I. Courses Taught in German | |
| GRMN 3030 Business German; GRMN 3110 German Literature from the Avant-garde to the Postmodern, GRMN 3120 German Literature from the Enlightenment to Expressionism; GRMN 3130 Issues in German Philosophy and Literature; GRMN 3140 Current Issues in German Literature; GRMN 3150 Issues in German Politics and Literature; GRMN 3520 Open Topics in the Cultural Context; GRMN 3900 Independent Study; GRMN 3930 Internship; GRMN 4330 The Age of Goethe; GRMN 4340 Seminar in German Literature; GRMN 4450 Methods of Teaching German. Students have the option of taking the exam Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache in GRMN 3020, the Zertifikat Deutsch fuer den Beruf (ZDfB) in GRMN 3030, and the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 in GRMN 4010. | |
| II. Courses Taught in English | |
| GRMN 1601 Germany Today; GRMN 1602 Metropolis and Modernity; GRMN 1603 Ethical Dilemmas in the Modern World; GRMN 1701 Nature and Environment in German Literature and Thought; GRMN 2301 Inside Nazi Germany; GRMN 2501 20th-Century German Short Story; GRMN 2502 Representing the Holocaust; GRMN 2503 Fairy Tales of Germany; GRMN 2601 Kafka and the Kafkaesque; GRMN 3201 German and Russian Culture in Comparative Perspective; GRMN 3501 German-Jewish Writers; GRMN 3502 Literature in the Age of Goethe; GRMN 3503 German Film and Society 1; GRMN 3504 Topics in German Film; GRMN 3505 The Enlightenment; GRMN 3513 German Film after World War II; GRMN 3601 German Women Writers; GRMN 3702 Dada and Surrealist Literature; GRMN 4251 Marxism; GRMN 4253 Philosophy of Language; GRMN 4501 Seminar: Literature in Cultural Context; GRMN 4502 Nietzche: Literature, and Values; GRMN 4503 Issues in German Thought; GRMN 4504 Goethe's Faust. |
C. Required for Students in the Secondary Teacher Certification Program +
Minor Program +
A minor is offered in Germanic Studies. Declaration of a minor is open to any student enrolled at CU-Boulder, regardless of college or school. For more information see www.colorado.edu/artssciences/students/undergraduate/academics/minors.html.
Certificate in International Engineering in German +
The purpose of this certificate is to provide engineering students training in language and culture, giving them skills necessary to work effectively with engineers in multinational teams and to succeed during overseas assignments in today's global marketplace. It is an indication to prospective employers that the students have a certain degree of proficiency in German language and an understanding of the culture. Visit ecadw.colorado.edu/engineering/academics/international-german.htm for more information.
Study Abroad +
The department strongly recommends that all majors take part in study abroad. The university program in Regensburg provides a full year of study abroad. Two Berlin sessions will be offered starting in summer 2008. Please consult with the major advisor. For more information on study abroad programs, see www.colorado.edu/oie.
Nordic Studies (Scandinavian) +
Courses are offered in English on Nordic culture and civilization. Courses are also offered in Norwegian and Swedish language. The language courses satisfy arts and sciences language requirements for the BA and BFA degrees. In addition, there is an exchange program with Uppsala University in Sweden and with the University of Copenhagen in Denmark (DIS). A minor is offered in Nordic Studies (Scandinavian). For specific requirements, contact the department or visit www.colorado.edu/germslav/scandinavian/minor.htm.
The summer program in Reykjavik, Iceland, is a two-week intensive offered through CU-Boulder's Study Abroad Program. It consists of lectures complemented by excursions in Reykjavik and surrounding areas, including field trips to a glacier and a geothermal power plant, a guided visit to deCODE Genetics (a global leader in gene discovery), and many other trips. Students receive 3 upper-division credit hours for SCAN 3201 Contemporary Nordic Society and Culture, which fulfills the core requirement for contemporary societies.
Hebrew Studies +
Hebrew language instruction is offered over four semesters at the beginning and intermediate levels. By the end of this cycle students have a sound basis in Hebrew language production (spoken and written) and comprehension (oral and written). The Jewish culture courses introduce students to Jewish history, culture, and religion, and also examine a variety of critical issues that pertain to the construction of Jewish identity in the contemporary world.
Russian Studies +
Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.
| Completion of 38 hours with grades of C- or better. (None may be taken as pass/fail.) Note: RUSS 1010 and 1020 will not be counted toward the 38 hours required for the bachelor's degree in Russian. RUSS 1010 and 1020 will not count toward the maximum of 45 hours in the major department. Students are required to structure their curriculum in close consultation with a departmental advisor. Transfer credit must be approved by the department. | |
| Students with advanced Russian language skills are strongly encouraged to meet with a departmental faculty advisor to discuss language placement. Students who have Russian language transfer credit and/or students who are Russian language native speakers may enter the program at the upper- | division level, up to RUSS 4010. Students with previous knowledge of Russian must take the placement exam no later than the end of the first week of classes. Students who place out of Russian language courses required for the major must replace the credits with additional course work in Russian studies. To meet this requirement the student may take available Russian courses from either major track approved by the departmental faculty advisor. Any substitutions to major course work must be pre-approved by the Russian faculty advisor. |
Note: Beginning or middle-level language course requirements may be met by transfer credit or by testing out of the course. Students who enter the program at the third-year level must complete at least 18 credit hours in residence in courses numbered 3000 or above with grades of C- or better. (None may be taken pass/fail.) Students who enter at and enroll in Russian language courses at the 3000- or 4000-level may not receive credit for lower-division Russian language courses, unless lower-division language course work was completed prior to registration for 3000- and 4000-level Russian language courses.
Track A - Russian Language and Culture +
| Required Courses | Semester Hours |
| RUSS 2010 Second-Year Russian l | 4 |
| RUSS 2020 Second-Year Russian 2 | 4 |
| RUSS 3010 Third-Year Russian 1 | 3 |
| RUSS 3020 Third-Year Russian 2 | 3 |
| RUSS 4010 Advanced Conversation and Composition 1 | 3 |
| RUSS 4020 Advanced Conversation and Composition 2 | 3 |
| RUSS 2211 Introduction to Russian Culture or RUSS 2221 Introduction to Modern Russian Culture, or RUSS 3601 Russian Culture Past and Present | 3 |
| RUSS 3000 Advanced Conversation or RUSS 3050 Business Russian or upper-division study abroad Russian language course | 3 |
| RUSS 4210 Open Topics: Russian Literature and Culture or RUSS 4230 Russian Cultural Idioms or RUSS 4851 Russian Film and Society | 3 |
| RUSS 4811 19th Century Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4821 20th Century Russian Literature and Art | 3 |
| One 2000-4000-level Russian course | 3 |
Track B - Russian Culture and Literature +
| RUSS 2010 Second-Year Russian l | 4 |
| RUSS 2020 Second-Year Russian 2 | 4 |
| RUSS 2211 Introduction to Russian Culture or RUSS 3601 Russian Culture Past and Present | 3 |
| RUSS 2221 Introduction to Modern Russian Culture or RUSS 3601 Russian Culture Past and Present | 3 |
| RUSS 3301 Contemporary Issues in Russian Film or RUSS 4471 Women in 20th Century Russian Culture or RUSS 3211 History of Russian Cinema | 3 |
| RUSS 3502 Ideals and Values in Modern Russia or RUSS 4221 Cultural Mythologies of Russian Communism or RUSS 4301 American-Russian Cultural Relations | 3 |
| RUSS 4811 19th Century Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4821 20th Century Russian Literature and Art | 3 |
| Any two of the following courses: | |
| RUSS 4421 Gogol | 3 |
| RUSS 4431 Dostoevsky | 3 |
| RUSS 4441 Tolstoy | 3 |
| RUSS 4451 Chekhov | 3 |
| RUSS 4831 Contemporary Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4861 Absurd and Supernatural in Russian Literature | 3 |
| One 3000-level Russian language course (3000, 3010, 3020, or 3050) | 3 |
| One 2000-4000-level RUSS course | 3 |
Track C: Russian Major for Heritage Speakers (36 hours) +
Students who are native speakers of Russian (speak or spoke Russian at home while growing up) and/or who attended school in Russian in the former Soviet Union for one or more years when their family lived in the former Soviet Union, may be eligible for a special major track for heritage speakers. Heritage speakers of Russian who wish to major in Russian should speak with the advisor for the Russian major to map out the specific plan for their major. The Heritage Speaker track requires 36 credits as follows:
| Required Courses | Semester Hours |
| RUSS 3060 Russian for Heritage Speakers I | 3 |
| RUSS 4060 Russian for Heritage Speakers II | 3 |
| RUSS 4210 Open Topic: Writing in Context/Readings in Russian Literature or RUSS 3050, Business Russian or upper-division study abroad Russian language class | 3 |
| RUSS 4230 Russian Cultural Idioms or RUSS 4851 Russian Film and Society | 3 |
| RUSS 2211 Introduction to Russian Culture or RUSS 3601 Russian Culture Past and Present | 3 |
| RUSS 2221 Introduction to Modern Russian Culture or RUSS 3601 Russian Culture Past and Present | 3 |
| RUSS 3211 History of Russian Cinema or RUSS 3301 Contemporary Issues in Russian Film or RUSS 4471 Women in 20th Century Russian Culture | 3 |
| RUSS 3502 Ideals and Values in Modern Russia or RUSS 4221 Cultural Mythologies of Russian Communism or RUSS 4301 American-Russian Cultural Relations | 3 |
| RUSS 4811 19th Century Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4821 20th Century Russian Literature and Art | 3 |
| RUSS 2231 Fairy Tales of Russia or RUSS 2471 Russian Women: From Folklore to 19th Century | 3 |
| Any one of the following courses: | 3RUSS 4221 GogolRUSS 4431 DostoevskyRUSS 4441 TolstoyRUSS 4451 ChekovRUSS 4831 Contemporary Russian LiteratureRUSS 4861 Absurd and Supernatural in Russian LiteratureGSLL 5352 Russian Novel: Theory and Practice |
Language Placement +
One year of high school Russian is usually considered equivalent to one semester of college Russian. Thus, a student with two years of high school Russian should enroll in RUSS 2010.
Students who think that they should be placed at a level different from the normal one should consult the department for advice. Placement level is determined in consultation with the department and should be done before registration.
Graduating in Four Years +
Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in Germanic or Russian studies, students should meet the following requirements:
| Begin to study the language in the freshman year, or have received AP credit. | |
| In consultation with the major program advisor before the end of the drop/add period in the first semester, plan a tentative schedule of courses to be taken over eight semesters. | |
| Discuss progress toward the degree each semester with the major advisor. |
Note: Although these requirements apply only in cases in which students are seeking to graduate under the terms of the four-year guarantee, they are good advice for all majors. Consult the program advisor about the major at any time.
Minor Program +
A minor is offered in Russian Studies. Declaration of a minor is open to any student enrolled at CU-Boulder, regardless of college or school. For more information see www.colorado.edu/artssciences/students/undergraduate/academics/minors.html.
Study Abroad +
The department strongly recommends that all Russian majors take part in the university summer language program in St. Petersburg. For more information on CU Study Abroad programs, see www.colorado.edu/oie.
Courses Taught in English +
A number of courses are offered in translation. These courses generally require no previous study in the language, history, or culture of the area involved, and are open to all interested students, regardless of major.
Concurrent BA/MA Program in Germanic Studies +
Highly motivated undergraduates majoring in Germanic studies at CU-Boulder have the opportunity to enter a BA/MA program, thereby earning both the BA and the MA in five years. The concurrent degree program offers a unique academic credential designed to produce skilled graduates for a variety of occupations. Students must make written application no later than April 1 of the sophomore year. A minimum GPA of 3.25 for all courses is required, as well as three letters of recommendation indicating strong potential for advanced, intensive work in Germanics. The recommended track requires a total of 58 hours of courses, with graduate courses in the fourth and fifth years only. Students should have completed most of their MAPS/core requirements (at least 30-37 hours) by the end of the sophomore year. Only CU-Boulder students may apply. For specific requirements please contact the department or see www.colorado.edu/germslav.
Master's Degree in German +
Students wishing to pursue the interdisciplinary master's in German should read carefully Requirements for Advanced Degrees in the Graduate School section. The following prerequisites and requirements apply: BA or equivalent in German or BA-level proficiency in German with a BA in a related field; general knowledge of the German-speaking countries' literature, history, and culture; 24 hours of approved course work and a master's thesis (6 hours), or 30 hours of course work without thesis; and reading knowledge of one modern foreign language in addition to German and English, to be demonstrated by approved course work or by examination. For specific requirements please contact the department or see www.colorado.edu/germslav.
Master's Degree in German/Master's of Business Administration +
To support the university's mission of advancing knowledge across disciplines, the Leeds School of Business and the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures offer a dual degree, Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in German Studies. In most cases, students should be able to complete the dual degree in three years with a total of 70 credit hours. Prospective students must apply to and meet the application and admission requirements for each program separately. See the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures for application to the German MA program, and the Leeds School of Business to apply to the MBA program.
