Bachelor 2 subject

Slavonic Studies, Bachelor 2 subject

  • What are the characteristics of Slavic languages and cultures?
  • How can we better understand and contextualise linguistic, cultural and political processes, particularly in the Slavic world?
  • How has our perspective on Russia and Eastern Europe changed since 2014/2022?
  • How do literature and art ‘think’? How do they interact with historical and contemporary events?
  • How are Slavic languages acquired and used in Germany within a multilingual context?
  • What are the distinctive features of Slavic languages compared to other languages?
Marta Osenniaia

My degree in Slavonic Philology has sparked my interest in current political and social developments in the Slavic world and is shaping my academic path in my future research.

Marta Osenniaia  – Bachelor
Ganzes Interview
Marta Osenniaia

What made you choose this degree programme?

Because, given my Slavic heritage and my prior language knowledge, I wanted to study other Slavic languages in greater depth. I was also particularly intrigued by the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in a Slavic country such as Georgia, the Czech Republic or Poland as part of my degree.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

The Slavonic Studies programme has exceeded my expectations in many ways. I was particularly surprised by how keenly it sparked my interest in the ambivalent history of the Soviet Union, and that this has led to such a strong passion for Russian literature. Furthermore, the programme offers a wide variety of seminars, enabling students to find focus areas that suit their interests. The only thing I could wish for future students is the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Belarus, Russia or Ukraine once the Russia-Ukraine war has ended, allowing them to immerse themselves even more deeply in Slavic culture.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

The opportunity to actively contribute my existing knowledge to the seminars and to take part in group discussions on both literary works and current issues. I also enjoy getting together with the lecturers for film evenings.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

The biggest challenge for me so far has been choosing between the many different and interesting seminars.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I would like to pursue a career in research, and I can see myself doing a PhD after completing my Master’s degree. Ultimately, I would like to work at a university – either in the field of Russian as a foreign language or, if the opportunity arises, in teaching, because I find it particularly exciting to keep learning new things throughout my life and to share this knowledge with interested students.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

Give it a go, feel free to stop by, have a chat with the student representatives; the Slavonic Studies department is always delighted to welcome new students! The subject is more relevant today than ever and also offers numerous opportunities to combine it with other degree programmes.

Profile
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Start
Winter- and summer semester
Duration
6 semesters
Classroom language
German
Cost
Learn more about social contribution
Admission
Not restricted

2-Subject Bachelor Programme
This degree programme requires a second subject for which advanced knowledge of German language is mandatory.
Table of combinations
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

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Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

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What's it all about?
This degree programme is unique, because ...

it focuses on Slavic languages and cultures. Their history and present-day reality are closely intertwined with Western European and global processes.


Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022, knowledge of the Slavic world and of Eastern Europe in general has become more important and in greater demand than before. This requires specialised knowledge, grounded in history, of language, literature and culture.


Focusing primarily on the Polish and Russian languages and cultures, whilst also taking other Slavic regions into account, the programme explores the linguistic and cultural diversity of this region, its eventful history and its literary and artistic developments. Students acquire methodological and expert knowledge for analysing both historical and contemporary processes.

It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
  • Vocabulary and grammar of Slavic languages (particularly Russian and Polish)
  • Reading comprehension in an additional Slavic language
  • Multilingualism and language acquisition
  • data-based linguistic research (e.g. corpus linguistics)
  • polish and russian literature and culture
  • Diversity and specific characteristics of cultural forms of expression (language, text, images, film/video, social media, games)
  • Analysis and classification of the poetological, aesthetic and material-medial characteristics of cultural artefacts
  • Raising awareness of the political dimensions of literature, art and culture — such as dissidence, imperialism, migration, post-colonialism and colonialism, as well as Russophony beyond Russia
The Bachelor’s programme provides a foundational introduction to these areas; the Master’s programme explores them in greater depth through independent research projects, advanced theoretical study and a personalised focus.
Course schedule
Module handbook
Who is suited?
Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,
have:


enjoy:

  • ​getting to know and exploring linguistic and literary features — and the joy of discovering hidden structures and connections
  • the potential of language to describe cultural phenomena precisely and thereby gain a new understanding of them
  • discussing and exchanging arguments, both in spoken and written form


struggle through:

  • ​reading academic texts — through in-depth text analysis in seminars and discussion with lecturers and fellow students
  • many rules and even more exceptions in the Slavic languages — supported by systematic language tuition and comparative study within the Slavic language family
  • independent research under supervision, which gradually equips students to carry out independent academic work; at Master’s level, this supervised research develops into independent, research-oriented project work.
Graduates from this degree programme frequently work
  • as a Russian teacher in schools (after completing an M.Ed.) and in other educational institutions
  • in cultural institutions and foundations with a focus on Eastern Europe
  • in the media and publishing sectors, e.g. as a journalist, editor or translator
  • in academia and research
  • in international organisations, political consultancy and the diplomatic service
  • in companies and management consultancies with a focus on Eastern Europe​
And else?
An internship ...

​​... offers the opportunity to put the subject-specific and methodological skills acquired during the degree programme to the test in a practical setting and to develop them further — for example, in cultural and educational institutions, the media, publishing houses, international organisations or in policy consultancy relating to Eastern Europe. The work placement is voluntary and can be undertaken as part of the optional area during the degree programme.

Duration: starting at 6 weeks

Studying abroad ...

... is recommended and offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen and expand the linguistic and subject-specific skills acquired and developed during your degree programme through experiences in the country where the target language is spoken — Poland — or in a Russian-speaking environment outside Russia.

We support the organisation and funding of your stay abroad through our Erasmus partnerships and scholarships, as well as through other funding programmes.
A study abroad or comparable practical experience is obligatory for the subsequent Master of Education programme. We are happy to advise you on this as well.

Duration: 6 weeks to 2 semesters
Where do I find help?
Academic advisory office

Building, Room: GB 8/147

E-mail: beratung-slav-phil@rub.de

Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft: Slavistik

Building, Room: GB 8/55

Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-28357

E-mail: fr-slavistik-bochum@rub.de

Website Fachschaft

Marija Terskich

Thanks to different seminars and courses I have acquired new favourite authors whom I would probably never have discovered if not for this degree course.

Marija Terskich  – Bachelor's degree
Ganzes Interview
Marija Terskich
Marija Terskich is a third-year student of Slavonic Studies. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Marija's second subject is Islamic Studies.

What made you choose this degree programme?

Because of my origins, and because I wished to broaden my knowledge of Slavic languages and countries.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

I have the opportunity to learn several new Slavic languages and to improve my Russian language skills. So far, the courses have lived up to my expectations.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Thanks to different seminars and courses, my voracious appetite for reading is being satisfied by various authors and epochs of the Slavic countries. I have acquired new favourite authors whom I would probably never have discovered if not for this degree course.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Finding a suitable subject for my term paper.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I would like to work as a translator. Many good Slavic authors exist who are barely known or not known at all in other countries, because they have never been translated. I would like to change that, even though this might sound utopic.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You should definitely have fun in your degree course. If you enjoy learning about new languages and cultures, you have come to the right place.

Other degree programs in the subject

Master 1 subject
Master 2 subject