George Mason University 1997-98 Catalog Catalog Index
Course Descriptions

Search the 1997-1998 Catalog:

Russian Studies


Faculty

Aksyonov (Robinson Professor, Modern and Classical Languages), Christensen (Modern and Classical Languages), Hecht (Modern and Classical Languages), Jensen (History), Katz (Public and International Affairs), Lavoie (Economics), Levine (Modern and Classical Languages, Program Chair), Wade (History)

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in Russian Studies may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing RUSS 302, 325, or 407.

B.A. Degree Requirements with a Major in Russian Studies

Two principal directions are possible within this degree program: Russian Studies as one element of a double major, or Russian Studies as a single degree program. In the first option, students must fulfill all requirements of the Russian Studies program as noted below. Students must also fulfill requirements of the second major. Obvious combinations with Russian Studies may be geography, history, international studies, and economics. This program may be accomplished within a four-year period and is recommended for most students who intend to seek employment in government, industry, or journalism.

The second option is recommended primarily for students who intend to study Russian in graduate school, who are interested in careers as translators, or who are studying for self-enrichment.

All degree students must present a minimum of 120 semester hours of course work for graduation, to include satisfaction of the general requirements for the B.A. degree, and the following:

  1. Russian language through the intermediate level through course work or testing

  2. RUSS 380 and 381

  3. RUSS 480 or 481 (preferably both)

  4. Russian literature (two courses). (may be used to satisfy the literature requirement for the B.A. degree)

  5. Three additional upper-division courses bearing the RUSS designator, two of which must be selected from the following: 302, 303, 310, 311, 401, 410, and 480 or 481 (whichever is not applied to the basic requirement)

  6. RUSS 353 or HIST 328 (may be used to satisfy the non-Western culture requirement for the B.A. degree)

  7. RUSS 354 or HIST 329 (may be used to satisfy the non-Western culture requirement for the B.A. degree)

  8. GEOG 330, or GOVT 338 or 445

Qualified students are strongly encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs in Russia. Through a cooperative agreement with the American Council of Teachers of Russian, students may apply to summer or semester Russian language programs at one of several leading universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Interested students should consult with their major adviser.

Approved Courses

Department of Modern and Classical Languages:
RUSS 101, 102, 109, 201, 202, 209 (subject to language proficiency examination), 300, 302, 303, 310, 311, 325, 326, 327, 353, 354, 380, 381, 401, 402, 407, 410, 415, 470, 480, 481, 490, 491 Department of Geography and Earth Systems Science: GEOG 330

Department of History:
HIST 328, 329

Department of Public and International Affairs:
GOVT 338, 445

Cognate Courses:
ANTH 114
ARTH 360, 362
ECON 380
EDUC 435
ENGL 300, 377, 378, 391
EUST 300, 350, 400, 450
GEOG 103
GOVT 132
MKTG 307
THR 351, 352


Sample Schedule for a B.A. in Russian Studies
(Single Major with a Concentration in Language and Literature)
First Semester
ENGL 101
RUSS 101
COMM 100
ARTH 120
SOCI 101
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15

 First Semester
MUSI 103
RUSS 102
PHIL 111
PSYC 100
MATH 106
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15
Third Semester
RUSS 201
BIOL 103
GEOG 330
GOVT 132
RUSS 326
Total Hours


3
4
3
3
3
16

 Fourth Semester
BIOL 104
RUSS 202
RUSS 353
ECON 104
THR 160
Total Hours


4
3
3
3
3
16
Fifth Semester
RUSS 302
RUSS 310
ENGL 302
HIST 328
RUSS 380
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15

 Sixth Semester
Electives
RUSS 354
RUSS 381
RUSS 311

Total Hours


6
3
3
3

15
Seventh Semester
THR 270
RUSS 303
RUSS 480
RUSS 407
RUSS 401
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15

 Eighth Semester
RUSS 410
RUSS 415
Elective
RUSS 300
RUSS 481
Total Hours


3
3
3
3
3
15


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