Germanic and Slavic Studies- German and Russian

The Major: Course work in German Studies aims at the development of proficiency in the German language and familiarizes students with the literature and cultural history of German speaking peoples. Courses are also available for students interested in business German and Film Studies.

Students are strongly encouraged to do interdisciplinary work in such areas as history and film.

The major consists of

• at least three advanced GER and/or GEW 4000-level courses with course work in German (9 hours).
• at least two of GER 3234, 3401 and 3402, GEW 3100 and 3101 (6 hours)
• three electives (9 hours) selected from GET, and 3000-4000 level GER and GEW courses.
• up to three courses in translation can count toward the major; they may be taken concurrently with the basic language sequence. Up to 15 3000-4000 level credits may be transferred from another institution. No more than three credits can be earned in independent studies courses such as GEW 4905.

Majors are encouraged to take additional courses in other departments to support and enhance their knowledge of German literature and culture. Double majors are encouraged.

Honors: Students should read the general CLAS honors section and consult the department honors coordinator about requirements to graduate cum laude (with honors), magna cum laude (with high honors) or summa cum laude (with highest honors).

The Minor: Students need at least 15 credits, consisting of nine hours of advanced (3000-4000 level work) and two electives (6 hours) selected from 3000-4000 level GER and GEW courses. At least one 4000-level course should be taken. One course in English can count toward the minor and may be taken concurrently with the basic language sequence. No more than six hours may be transfer credits and no more than three credits may be independent study (GEW 4905).

A new interdisciplinary minor in medieval and early modern studies focuses on medieval and early modern European culture and its influences on the modern world. Students acquire historical perspectives that contribute to current discussions about ethnicity and nationality, colonialism, technologies and their effects, gender and sexuality, and the characteristics of historical and fictional narratives. The minor requires 18 credit hours, of which at least three credits must be at the 4000 level and at least six credits must be at the 3000 level. An additional requirement is completion of a 2000-level foreign language course (3 hours). A list of courses and additional information is available from Dr. Will Hasty, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, 254 Dauer.

Overseas Study: The department recommends summer programs in Mannheim, Innsbruck and Moscow and/or the UF junior/senior year program at the University of Bonn.

General Education: The department offers a broad range of general education courses in language, literature and culture. While many of these courses require a good working knowledge of German or Russian, students interested in fulfilling the general education requirement should take courses taught in English.

Courses: Students without prior German should take the GER 1120 (4 credits), GER 1121 (3 credits) and GER 1122 (3 credits) sequence. An alternative manner of completing the basic language sequence in a single year is by taking Discover German 1125 and 1126 (5 credit hours each). The ten credits fulfill the college’s language requirement.

Students with previous training in one of the languages should take a placement test.

Entering freshman with SAT II scores in German should consult the Schedule of Courses, this catalog under academic advising or the department for appropriate placement.

Students with a three or above in a German AP exam or four or above on the IB exam will find UF course equivalents listed in the academic advising section of the catalog. Consult a department adviser for information on the appropriate course sequence.

German is a flexible liberal arts major. Students must bear in mind that, with few exceptions (a limited number of GET courses in translation), credits towards the major and minor begin to be counted after completion of intermediate German. Ordinarily, students will need to have completed GER 2200 by their fifth semester of study at UF in order to be able to complete the German major. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 UF GPA. After three German courses have been taken, students must have and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in their German course work.

German

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria.

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

• Complete GER1120 or higher-level German course work

• Complete GER1121 or GER1131 or higher-level German course work

• Complete GER1122 or maintain higher-level German course work with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete 1 additional 2000-level German course with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

The Major: This major prepares students for a variety of careers, including international law, business, advertising and finance, foreign service, tourism, teaching and educational exchange, and advanced degree work in the humanities or social sciences. Completed alone or in combination with a second major, the concentration in Russian provides students with interpretive and analytical skills essential for performing effectively in today’s global environment.

Successful completion of the program includes a range of courses in Russian language, literature and culture as well as optional overseas study in Moscow.

A student majoring in Russian needs a minimum of 30 credit hours (10 courses) of Russian beyond the 1000-level. Up to 15 3000-4000 level credits can be transferred from another institution. Nine credits can be earned in RUS 2200 and any combination of two RUT courses (with the exception of RUT 2100). The remaining credits should be from 3000-4000 level RUS/RUW courses. Students who, upon entering the program, place out of RUS 2200 and 3240 (without transfer credits) will be permitted to take up to 12 credits of RUT courses toward the major. No more than three credits can be earned in independent study (RUW 4905).

Students who intend to major or minor in Russian must apply in writing to the CLAS advising office and should consult as soon as possible the undergraduate coordinator for Russian studies.

The Minor: To qualify for a minor, students need a minimum of 15 credit hours (5 courses) of Russian beyond the 1000-level. Up to six credits can be transferred from another institution. Six credits can be earned in RUS 2200 and any one of the RUT courses (with the exception of RUT 2100). The remaining credits should be from RUS/RUW courses on the 3000 and 4000 level. Students who, upon entering the program, place out of RUS 2200 and RUS 3240 (without transfer credits) can take up to nine credits of RUT courses toward the minor. No more than three credits can be earned in independent study (RUW 4905).

Honors: To graduate cum laude, a student must have a 3.5 GPA in the junior/senior years and a 3.5 GPA in Russian. To graduate magna cum laude (high honors) or summa cum laude 9highest honors), students must obtain the recommendation of two GSS faculty members and complete an honors project. The project is based on independent research supervised by a faculty director. Application should be made to the undergraduate coordinator at least two semesters before graduation.

Courses: Required foundation courses for the major and the minor include completion of the beginning Russian language (RUS 1130, 1131). Consult the undergraduate coordinator each semester.

Russian

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria.

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

• Complete RUS 1130 or higher-level Russian course work

• Complete RUS 1131 or maintain higher-level Russian course work with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete either RUS 2200 or any 2000-level Russian course with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

NOTE: New students with prior study in Russian should consult with the undergraduate coordinator before the start of the semester.