Goals of the Russian Major Program

Students in the major program acquire language skills through coursework and extracurricular opportunities, which enable them to achieve the proficiency and confidence they need for effective language use. The Russian program also offers many courses in Russian literature and culture to enhance students' cultural knowledge.

The undergraduate major in Russian offers a core of language courses enhanced by a concentration of literature, linguistics and culture courses designed by the student in consultation with her/his advisor. Our graduating students have a broad knowledge of Russia and the Russian language as well as a specific area of expertise within Russian studies (e.g., literature, culture, or linguistics).

Keep track of your requirements by printing the Russian Major Worksheet here or download the Russian Major Worksheet as a Microsoft Word Document here.

In order to declare your major, please contact the Coordinating Advisor and fill out the Major Program Form.

Prerequisites (25 hours):

• The first year Russian language series:
• Russian 101, 102, 103, and 104
• And one of the following:
• Introduction to Russian Culture: Russian 135
• Masterpieces of Russian Literature: Russian 250

Core Courses (30 hours):

• The second year Russian language series:
• Russian 405 and 407
• The third year Russian language series:
• Russian 560, 561, and 562
• The Writing Seminar on Topics of Russian Literature, Language, and Life:
• Russian 675

Concentration (13-15 hours):

Concentrations are designed by each individual student with their advisor. A concentration is composed of a combination of the courses eligible for Concentration Credit, at least 13 credit hours, of which at least one course must be on the 600-level. Sample concentrations include: Russian Language and Literature, Russian Literature, and Russian Culture.

Download the courses eligible for Concentration Credit .doc file.

Major Program

The major program includes all the courses that constitute the student's major field of study and acts as a contract for graduation. The major program is entered on a Major Program Form, which the academic advisor fills out in consultation with the student and files with the College of Arts and Sciences (ASC). As soon as a student's major program can be determined, which can be no later than the junior year, a Major Program Form should be completed and filed. Any subsequent changes in the program should be discussed with the major advisor and indicated on a new Major Form.

It is important for students to stay in touch with their major advisor through regular consultations. Declared majors will be kept informed of events and opportunities in Russian and East European Studies through flyers, mailings and e-mail lists.

It is the responsibility of the student to keep her/his address current and to let the major advisor, coordinating advisor and/or departmental staff know of changes in her/his status. A course in which a student receives a grade of D+ or lower cannot be counted toward the major. A student who receives such a grade must notify her/his major advisor in order to determine whether to repeat the course or choose a substitute. If a course in which a student earned a D or D+ is repeated, the additional hours earned will be added to the minimum necessary for graduation.