2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Department of German and Russian Studies
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 Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
German Studies
The program emphasizes language fluency and cultural competency at all levels of study. A flexible curriculum and individualized advising allow majors and minors to develop a program of study and to explore interests in the humanities and social sciences or in engineering, computer science, management or the natural sciences. The program focuses on culture in the broadest sense and approaches literature, language, visual arts, history and philosophy in an interdisciplinary manner through the lens of German studies. Students in German studies develop an awareness of the cultural context of the German language in its various forms as well as an understanding of the German contribution to culture, the history of ideas and the development of academic and professional disciplines.
Students who declare a major or minor must consult a faculty advisor to develop an individualized course program in German studies. The department also encourages interdisciplinary work through the double major or a dual-degree program with engineering/computer science or management that usually includes an internship abroad and study at a university of technology in Germany or Austria. A minor in German allows students to acquire language proficiency and to explore aspects of German culture in international contexts. The department directs two highly regarded education-abroad programs, one at the University of Graz, Austria, and another at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Both are open to students in all disciplines. Students normally participate in the Graz exchange in the junior or sophomore year. Prerequisites include a 3.0 GPA and two years of training in German language for the traditional junior year semester-abroad program, or one year for the language, culture and general education program at the sophomore level. Students who wish to participate in the Leipzig exchange program require more advanced language proficiency. This program may be of special interest to students in the social sciences, business and management. 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 events like the annual Binghamton University German Studies Colloquium (BUGSC).
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 department chair at the beginning of their senior year:
Honors are usually awarded on the basis of demonstrated proficiency in German, a project that demonstrates an understanding of the development of German culture and literature, 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 in the senior seminar course.
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.
Programs
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