Concentration in West Slavic (Czech and Polish) Languages and Literatures

This program is ideal for students preparing for graduate study, as well as for those interested in a career in government, diplomacy, or business in which knowledge of Czech or Polish is useful.

The program in West Slavic studies aims to give students essential skills in written and spoken Czech or Polish, as well as a close acquaintance with Czech or Polish literature, culture, and history. The program is ideal for students preparing for graduate study, as well as for those interested in a career in government, diplomacy, or business in which knowledge of Czech or Polish is useful.

Collage Students interested in the following program are required to consult with the Departmental Adviser.

Students must take twelve courses that meet the following requirements:

  1. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in their primary language of study (Czech or Polish) equivalent to three years of college study. The first two years typically will be acquired by taking the elementary and second-year language courses; and the third year may be acquired by independent study (CZEC or POLI 29700) or study abroad (as approved by the Departmental Adviser). Students with credit by examination for the first year of Czech or Polish may begin their language study with the second year of Czech or Polish followed by independent study or study abroad (as approved by the Departmental Adviser) to complete the requirement for a third year of the language.
  2. Two quarters of a survey or of other general courses in the literature of the primary language of study (two courses).
  3. Two further literature or culture courses in the primary language of study, to be approved by the Departmental Adviser (two courses).
  4. Two courses in Slavic literature, culture, or linguistics in the Department; one of these must be a course in General Slavic (SLAV) (two courses).

Students are expected to fulfill the course requirements above with regular courses offered by the Slavic Department. Reading courses (CZEC or POLI 29700) will not count toward the twelve courses required for the concentration except by special permission of the Departmental Adviser.

Students planning to do graduate work in Slavic or a related field are strongly advised to use some of their electives for studying Russian, German, or French language; or for studying Russian literature.

All students in their final year must write an acceptable B.A. paper under supervision of a faculty member in the Slavic Department. They may register for the B.A. preparation course (CZEC 29900 or POLI 29900) with approval of the supervisor; this course will confer general elective credit but will not be counted toward the twelve courses required for the concentration.

Summary of Requirements

CORE:

  • (recommended) History of Western Civilization (HIST 13100-13200-13300)

CONCENTRATION:

  • (3 credits) 2nd year Czech (CZEC 20100-20200-20300) or 2nd year Polish (POLI 20100-20200-20300)*
  • (3 credits) 3rd year Czech or 3rd year Polish*
  • (2 credits) Survey or general courses in the literature of the primary language of study
  • (2 credits) Czech or Polish literature or culture courses
  • (2 credits) Courses in Slavic literature, culture, or linguistics; one of which must be a General Slavic (SLAV) course
  • BA paper

*Or, placement credit for 1st-3rd year Czech/Polish