Contemporary central and eastern Europe consists of heterogeneous societies with contested cultural traditions. Offerings in the Department of German and Russian Studies investigate important interconnections among history, society, culture, and language in the region.
Which German language course should you take?
Here you can find answers to some popular questions about our courses and the German program.
Our students about learning German and Russian
What do our students say about studying and living abroad and learning a foreign language?
Study Abroad
What do you need to do if you want to study in a German-speaking country? See our Q&A page about studying abroad.
🇺🇦 The Department of German & Russian Studies stands with Ukraine.
The curricula in German and Russian explore societies challenged and invigorated by change and stress the importance of attaining fluency not only in the language but also in the nuances of cultural understanding.
The department offers a German Major, a German Minor, and a Russian Minor. The department also contributes to the European Studies Major and Minor.
Incoming students with previous knowledge of German should complete the German Language Placement Questionnaire on the departmental website to determine the appropriate German course to take.
Incoming students with previous knowledge of Russian should complete the Russian Language Placement Questionnaire on the departmental website to determine the appropriate Russian course to take.
Entering students are assigned to the appropriate level in language courses according to relative proficiency based on length of previous study and/or their performance on the Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board taken in high school.
Why Study Russian?
Unlock a world of literature, business, and history by studying Russian. Connect with millions, boost your brainpower, and gain insight into a global superpower. Explore rich culture, navigate diverse career paths, and enjoy a unique linguistic challenge. Discover ten compelling reasons to learn Russian today!
We are delighted to announce that Bates students can now study Russian abroad in Latvia. “Learn Russian in the EU” is offered by Daugavpils University, the foremost academic and research institution in Eastern Latvia, located in Daugavpils, Latvia’s second-largest city and the largest Russian-speaking city in the European Union and NATO. “Learn Russian in the EU” provides a broad range of study programs in the Russian language, literature, culture, history, political science, Eastern European studies, and other areas.
Please talk with your Russian professor about your study abroad options.