German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies
Programs
The Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies offers undergraduate level programs within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department offers four language programs in Chinese, German, Japanese, and Russian for students seeking intermediate level cultural literacy and critical skills, as well as courses for German Majors and Minors. Russian Studies Majors and Minors, and Asian Studies Minors and Majors take most of their courses in this Department but are enrolled in the International and Global Studies Program (IGS).
Departmental Programs (GAR) and affiliated International and Global Studies (IGS) Programs at a Glance
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Programs & Courses |
Chinese Studies |
German Studies |
Japanese Studies |
Russian Studies |
GAR Language Courses |
101-301 |
101-301 |
101-301 |
101-301 |
|
Fulfilling General Education Core (GEC) requirements with Global (GL), Global Non-Western (GN) course markers. Many of the Department's language courses also carry Writing Intensive (WI) and Speaking Intensive (SI) course markers. |
Language Program |
Language Program |
Language Program |
Language Program |
Literature & Culture Courses |
Upper- Level Program |
Upper- Level Program |
Upper- Level Program |
Upper- Level Program |
|
Minor Degrees Language, Literature, and Culture Courses |
in IGS (AOS Code U819) |
In this Dept. (AOS Code U171) |
in IGS (AOS Code U819) |
In this Dept. (AOS Code U160) in IGS (AOS Code U827) |
|
Major Degrees Language, Literature, and Culture Courses |
in IGS (AOS Code U824) |
Accelerated Master's Program for German Majors in tandem with the Business School.
All In this Dept. (AOS Code U171) |
in IGS (AOS Code U824) |
in IGS (AOS Code U802) Russian in IGS |
Courses
The Department offers a German Major and Minor. In addition, students can major or minor in Russian Studies and Asian Studies. Both Majors are offered through the International and Global Studies program (IGS). Our language courses in Chinese, German, Japanese, and Russian provide students with communication skills and knowledge about the cultures and literatures of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese speaking societies. More advanced courses emphasize language, literature, and culture studies, which are the primary goals of the majors in German and Russian. A major in German can also be pursued in tandem with an International Business Studies major. An Accelerated Masters Program for undergraduates provides the opportunity to complete a B.A. in German and a Master of Business Administration.
To implement the Department's mission, and the philosophy reflected in the national Foreign Language Standards, the rationale and scope underlying the structure of our curriculum reinforces these paedagogical principles:
(1) The Department's modern language programs are multi-facetted and focuses on (a) mastering modern language skills, (b) strengthening language, literature, and culture studies through alliances with other programs, particularly the African, Asian, and European Studies concentrations in IGS, and (c) promoting FL Studies across the curriculum.
(2) Our modern language courses involve integrated methodologies, which promote modern language studies as excellent career enhancing opportunities. The emphasis on "integrated methodologies" implies the reliance on four-skill proficiencies oriented instruction inside and outside the classroom, building connections with heritage communities, supporting service learning, internships, and study abroad programs as valuable anchors for our modern language programs on all levels.
(3) The Department's modern language programs are offered and taught within flexible scheduling frameworks, which utilize non-conventional course structures and put broader emphases on transcultural studies. Innovative instructional frameworks include (a) Consortia, (b) Distance Education and (c) the development of interdisciplinary and online research and study resources to facilitate modern language instruction for students at all levels of literacy and proficiency.