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2009-2010 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
German/Russian
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 Return to: Academic Departments and Concentrations
Professors: Denham, Epes, Henke (Chair), McCarthy, McCulloh
Associate Professor: Ewington
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Distribution Requirements
German 230-239, 250-259, 330-339, 350-359 and Russian 294, 302, 320, 349-361 satisfy the distribution requirement in literature. Foreign Language Requirement
German 201 or Russian 201 meets the foreign language requirement for the degree.
Achievement tests are used to place entering students at a level appropriate to their background. Please see the note on placement under each language. Placement
Students who have studied German prior to entering Davidson but have not been awarded college credit for it will take an online placement test administered by Davidson. They will be placed in German 250 or 260 if their preparation is exceptional; such students may request an additional oral examination to certify completion of the language requirement without additional courses. Students are placed in German 201, if their preparation is strong; in German 102, if less strong. In some cases, the department will recommend that a student who has studied German in high school begin in German 101. No student who has studied German in high school, however, should expect to take German 101 for credit without the express permission of the department. Major Requirements
Nine courses above German 201 are required for the major in German. They must include: German 250, 260, and German 495, the senior comprehensive course. During the senior year at Davidson, students must take at least two courses at the 400 level, one of which must be German 495. With departmental approval, one of the courses may be a 300- or 400-level course related to German studies (e.g., German History 1871-1990, The Holocaust, European History, Contemporary European Politics, European Art). Finally, students must demonstrate proficiency in the German language by passing either the current Test DaF (4x4, TDN), the Kleines Sprachdiplom, the Goethe-Zertifikat C1, or the DSH 2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber) at a fully accredited university in a German-speaking country. The Department strongly recommends study abroad with Duke/ Davidson in Berlin.
Minor Requirements
Six courses above German 201 are required for the minor, at least three of which must be taken in residence. These should include: German 250 or 260 (or both), and at least one 400-level course that is not cross-listed with another department. The Department strongly recommends study abroad with Duke/ Davidson in Berlin. Honors Requirements
To receive honors, a student must at the time of graduation have an overall GPA of 3.2 or better, have a 3.5 average in all courses counted toward the major, have fulfilled all the requirements for the major, and the department must judge the thesis (written for German 495) and its defense worthy of honors. Study Abroad
German majors and minors should plan to study abroad if at all possible. Students who have completed German 201 are encouraged to apply for the Berlin program and should plan to take as many courses as possible from among German 250, 260, and 270 before departure. German Courses
Course Numbers
Courses numbered in the 30s and 40s are taught in translation, courses in the 50s, 60s, and 70s in German.
Courses numbered in the 30s and 50s satisfy the distribution requirement in literature.
Courses numbered in the 80s are assigned to courses taken with Davidson abroad.
Except for German 495 (colloquium), courses numbered in the 90s are assigned to independent study courses.
Course Levels
German 100-level courses are elementary language courses that correspond to the A1 and A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages.
German 200-level courses are intermediate courses that, in terms of language proficiency, correspond to the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages. 201 completes the language requirement and is prerequisite for any other 200-level course taught in German. The proficiency level expected on the 200 level is the same for all courses taught in German, irrespective of their course number. Following successful completion of 201, students are encouraged to take 250 or 260, both of which serve as introductory courses to the main concerns of the discipline. 200-level courses taught in translation require no knowledge of German, nor do they presuppose familiarity with the methods of literary and cultural criticism.
German 300-level courses are advanced-intermediate level courses that correspond to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages. They focus on special topics in literature and culture and should be taken only after successful completion of 250 and/ or 260. Courses taught in translation presuppose familiarity with the basic methods of literary and cultural criticism.
German 400-level courses are seminars on the advanced level, corresponding to the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages. They are designed for German majors and focus on special topics in literature and culture. 495 provides a capstone experience and requires a thesis. 400-level seminars taught in translation are suitable for all students with a strong background in literary or cultural studies. Placement
Students who have studied Russian prior to entering Davidson but have not been awarded college credit for it will take a placement test at Davidson and will be placed at a level appropriate to them on the basis of the test, their language experience, and an oral interview. No student with a background of Russian study may take Russian 101 for credit without the permission of the department.
Although Davidson does not offer a Russian major at this time, students may pursue a major related to Russian through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.
Minor Requirements
Elementary and Intermediate Russian 201 and 202 are required for the minor. In addition, students must take six courses, at least three of which must be taken at Davidson. These must include:
- At least four courses in literature or advanced language selected from the following: Russian 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 301, 319, 320, 395, 396, 401, 410 and courses taken abroad with departmental approval (329-379). No more than two courses may be courses in literature in translation.
- History 125 or a comparable course taken abroad.
With departmental approval, one of the six courses may be a second history course from the list above, or Political Science 336 (Russian/Post-Soviet States Politics). Study Abroad
Students minoring in Russian are strongly encouraged to study abroad. All students are eligible to participate in the Davidson in Moscow program. The department will advise students concerning opportunities for spending a semester or academic year in Russia. Rational for Russian Course Numbering
Russian 100-level courses are elementary language courses that introduce students to the basic sound, writing, and case systems of Russian. Students also learn to read, write, and converse on a number of basic themes related to their families and lives at college.
Russian 200-level courses are intermediate courses that lead students to more advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and oral skills. Students learn the grammar (participles, verbal adverbs, motion verbs) necessary for reading authentic Russian texts and writing essays. They learn to read, write and converse on a broad range of themes. Russian 201 completes the language requirement and is prerequisite for Russian 202. 200-level courses taught in translation require no knowledge of Russian, nor do they presuppose familiarity with the methods of literary and cultural criticism.
Russian 300-level courses are advanced-intermediate level language courses. Students register for independent studies in Russian (395/396) after completing Russian 202 and spending a summer or semester studying in Russia. These courses combine special topics in literature and culture with advanced Russian grammar and essay writing. Courses taught in translation presuppose familiarity with the basic methods of literary and cultural criticism.
Russian 400-level courses are seminars taught in translation and are suitable for all students with a strong background in literary or cultural studies. |
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