Department of Modern Languages — Russian Requirements

General Requirements for Major in French, German Studies, Italian, Russian Studies

• Only one course taken on a pass/fail option can be counted toward the major.
• No course with a grade below C- can be counted toward the major.
• Students must attain a 2.0 average in their major in order to graduate.

Russian Studies

Students considering a major in Russian Studies should first consult Ms. Burgin or the department chair. Required courses may not be available.

Requirements and Recommendations

The Major

I. Lower Division Course Requirements

• Intermediate Language Proficiency (RUSS 202 or equivalent) and
• RUSS 260 (Russia Today: Introduction to Russian Studies)
• One of the following:

• RUSS L255 (WOST L255) (Women in Russia)
• RUSS 261 (Russian Literature in Translation I),
• RUSS 262 (Russian Literature in Translation II),
• RUSS 263 (Russian Culture and Civilization)
• RUSS 264 (Soviet Life and Culture)
• RUSS G268 (Russian Short Masterpieces)

II. Upper Division Course Requirements

• Communication Skills Component (Speaking, Understanding, Reading, Translating Russian). All Russian studies majors must take

• RUSS 303 (Communicating in Russian)
• RUSS 321 (Reading and Translating Russian)
• RUSS 322 (Readings in Russian Literature)

History courses:

• HIST 323 (Russian History I)
• HIST 324 (Russian History II)
• HIST 349 (AMST L349) (Cold War: Rise and Fall)

Russian literature courses (Readings in Russian):

• RUSS 341 (Nineteenth Century Russian Poetry)
• RUSS 359 (Twentieth Century Russian Poetry)
• RUSS 481-482 (Special Topics)

Political science courses:

• POLSCI 361 (The Politics of Eastern Europe
• POLSCI 363 (Politics and Society in Present-day Russia)
• POLSCI 430 (Russia and Other Soviet Successor States)

The Minor

1. Lower Division Course Requirements

• Intermediate Language Proficiency (RUSS 202 or equivalent)
• One of the following culture courses: RUSS 263 (Russian Culture and Civilization), RUSS L255 (Women in Russia)

2. Upper Division Course Requirements

• Three of the upper division courses required for the Russian studies major, as shown above. At least one course must come from each of the two categories listed (communication skills and specialty areas)

Honors

See “Honors” at the beginning of the Modern Language Department section.

Transfer Credit Policy

The department will normally transfer 16 credits toward the major in Russian; however, students who petition the department may be granted additional transfer credit.