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.
From the description of Department of German, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese studies records, 1970-2002 (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 698099619
