Russian Studies

• Faculty
• Undergraduate Program
  • Russian Studies, B.A.

Faculty

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

Undergraduate Program

Russian Studies, B.A.

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 include geography, history, government and international politics, and economics. This program may be accomplished within a four-year period and is recommended for students who intend to seek employment in government, industry, or journalism.

The second option is recommended 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 credits of course work for graduation, including the general requirements for the B.A. and the requirements for the major. Students majoring in Russian Studies must complete the following requirements:

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. Six credits of Russian literature (may simultaneously satisfy the literature requirement for the B.A.)
5. Three additional upper-level courses bearing the RUSS subject code, 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 simultaneously satisfy the non-Western culture requirement for the B.A.)
7. RUSS 354 or HIST 329 (may simultaneously satisfy the non-Western culture requirement for the B.A.)
8. GEOG 330 or GOVT 338

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 advisors.

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 Science: GEOG 330
Department of History: HIST 328, 329
Department of Public and International Affairs: GOVT 338
Cognate courses: ANTH 114; ARTH 360, 362; ECON 380; GEOG 103; GOVT 132; MKTG 307; THR 351, 352

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.