Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies Records

Collection

Identifier: UA 0004.0016

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the official records that reflect the history and activities of the Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1970-2015. These records contain material related to history of the Department. The files include announcements, annual reports, brochures, correspondence, self studies, and an archive of the department's website.

Dates

1970 - 2015

Creator

Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Department of German was established during the early years of the State Normal and Industrial College (now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in the late 1890s and early 1900s. During World War One (1914-1918), enrolment in the program drop dramatically in response to anti-German sentiment across the country. Christine Reincken, the professor of German, resigned in July 1918 under heavy pressure from College administration.

Caroline Schoch replaced her and would serve as the lone professor of German until her retirement in 1948. In 1953, the German major was dropped from the curriculum due to a lack of interest. It was restored in 1962 and combined with the Russian major (established in 1959) and the Department was renamed the Department of German and Russian. The Department continued to grow and remain strong through the 1960s and 1970s but saw a decline in enrollment once the language requirement was modified for graduation.

In 1995, the Department added Japanese Studies to become the Department of German, Russian, and Japanese Studies. Currently the Department also include Chinese Studies. The aim of the Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies is to impart a deeper understanding for important modern languages and cultures in the context of a liberal and humanistic education. It provides both undergraduate and graduate level programs.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of German began in the late 1890s and changed names in 1959 with the addition of Russian Studies. In 1996 Japanese studies was added to the Department and later Chinese Studies. Today the department is called the Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies.

The records of the Department German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies contain announcements, annual reports, brochures, correspondence, self studies, and an archive of the department's website and other records which document the activities of the Department from 1970-2015.

Arrangement Note

The arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a useable original order. This collection is arranged into two series with series 1 arranged in alphabetical order while series 2 is in chronological order. Series 1: General Files, 1971-2015 Series 2: Annual Reports, 1970-2002

Method of Acquisition

Periodically transferred from the Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese Studies.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.