The creation of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures (GSLL) from the merger of two formerly distinct departments in 2011 has generated an opportunity to create a new undergraduate concentration in Central European Studies. Unique in the U.S., this concentration will make UNC-Chapel Hill a leader in this growing field. The department will begin offering courses in this area during the fall semester of 2013.
The major concentration in Central European Studies is an interdisciplinary track that will appeal to a diverse group of undergraduates interested in Czech, German, Hungarian, Polish and the history of Central Europe. In addition to studying two different central European languages, one through the intermediate level and one through the elementary level, students will take two core courses-GSLL 260, “From Berlin to Budapest: Literature, Film, and Culture of Central Europe” and HIST 260, “East Central Europe from the Eighteenth Century to the Present.” GSLL 260 will be offered starting in the spring of 2014. Students will also take six additional courses in the GSLL department and other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences numbered above the 200 level.
Students interested in pursuing the major concentration in Central European Studies should consult professor Jonathan Hess, director of undergraduate studies. Students are encouraged to begin language study as early as possible to ensure time to learn two different languages. However, the advantage of the structure of this new concentration is that students can begin taking content courses toward the major at any time, including during their first year at Carolina.
Students concentrating in Central European Studies will be encouraged to consider double majors or minors in other fields. Students will not be permitted to declare a second major in contemporary European Studies, or in any major or minor option offered by the department.
