Poland , the Czech Republic , Bulgaria and Russia are geographically closer to Germany than the USA or Australia. Even so, many people know relatively little about these countries. There is talk of the “wild”, “unknown” and even “mysterious” East. There are many historical, economic and cultural relationships between Germany and its eastern neighbors. And works by authors like Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy or composers like Tchaikovsky are world famous. In the course of the EU’s eastward enlargement, the Eastern European countries have moved further into our consciousness. If you really want to understand the culture, economy and society of the individual countries, the Slavic Studies course could be the right choice.
Course content in the subject of Slavic Studies
According to Iamaccepted.com, degree courses in the field of Slavic studies examine the Slavic languages and cultures . The main Slavic languages are:
- the East Slavic languages Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian
- the West Slavic languages Polish and Czech
- South Slavic languages such as Croatian, Bosnian or Serbian
Bachelor degree
Language acquisition is the focus of any Slavic studies , as this forms the basis for understanding the culture of the individual countries. At most universities, students choose two Slavic languages at the beginning , which will be the focus of their studies in the following years. The “main avalanche” at most universities is Russian. Which other Slavic language the students can choose depends on the offer of the respective university.
The course itself is then divided into the sub-areas
- Language practice
- Linguistics
- Literary studies
- Cultural studies
In the practical language exercises , students gradually get to know the vocabulary and grammar of the languages they have chosen. You translate texts and practice oral and written conversation. In linguistics , they analyze the languages more closely. You will learn, for example, how individual sounds are formed in the mouth and throat or shed light on the historical development of the respective language. In literary studies , students read the works of famous classical and contemporary authors and receive an overview of the literary history of the respective country. The cultural studies subjects are ultimately about culture, politics ,Religion , economy and society of the Slavic countries.
Master’s degree
Those who want to qualify for management positions and activities in research and science after completing their bachelor’s degree should follow up with a master’s degree. This offers the opportunity to specialize in one of the areas of linguistics, literature or cultural studies . Teacher training courses are also offered with didactic and pedagogical content.
Requirements for studying Slavic Studies
As a rule, no knowledge of the Slavic language is required for studying Slavic Studies. Applicants should, however, have a certain talent for languages and be prepared for a very learning-intensive course. Language skills in English or French should be available in order to understand the specialist literature written in these languages.
Slavic studies and then? Occupational fields
Many Slavic students study to become a teacher. After the first state examination or master’s degree, you usually go to school as a Russian teacher . But there are also diverse professional fields for Slavists outside of the classroom .
In the cultural sector, for example, work in museums, archives and libraries is an option. If you are drawn to the media, you can work as a journalist or in the fields of advertising and PR . A political career is also possible, for example in the diplomatic service. In addition, graduates work in the tourism industry , in management consultancies and in adult education . Master’s graduates also have the opportunity to do a doctorate and embark on an academic career.
Reasons for studying Slavic Studies abroad
A semester abroad is compulsory for Slavic students . Only on site do they have the opportunity to consolidate their language skills and really get to know the culture of the respective country. In addition, they acquire intercultural skills during their studies abroad , which are increasingly in demand in professional life. Students can also build up a network of international contacts while studying abroad.
