Russian Major

changes effective Winter 2013-Summer 2016

May be elected as a departmental major

The Russian major aims to combine, in the best traditions of a liberal arts degree, practical language learning with the study of culture broadly understood. It provides extensive language training and demanding courses in literary history and analysis. Moreover, the Department firmly believes that serious language study offers broad intellectual benefits in and of itself. In the upper-level Russian language courses, it aims to develop linguistic self-consciousness and a basis for the study of linguistics proper. In literary studies many undergraduates take not only the required courses (both in translation and in Russian), but also elect more specialized courses such as "monograph" studies of Pushkin (RUSSIAN 461), Dostoevsky (RUSSIAN 462), Chekhov (RUSSIAN 463), and Tolstoy (RUSSIAN 464).

Russian is also an especially rewarding second major when combined with political science, history or another social-science discipline. Students who complete the intensive year-long language program in their first year are particularly well equipped to follow the dual-major path.

Students have three possible ways to complete the Russian major program: the standard major option, based on the study of Russian literature and language; a Culture track and a Heritage Speakers track.

The Major

A. Russian Language and Literature [effective Fall 2011] 

1. Prerequisites to the Major. RUSSIAN 101, 102, 201, and 202, (or RUSSIAN 103 and 203, or RUSSIAN 123 and 223) or the equivalent. Interested students are advised to begin Russian during their first year.
2. Core Courses:
   • RUSSIAN 301 (or RCLANG 323) and 302; or RUSSIAN 303
   • RUSSIAN 451 or 499;
   • RUSSIAN 347 and 348; and
   • at least one course in Russian literature after 1900 (e.g., RUSSIAN 361, 450, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 475).
3. Upper-level Russian language and literature electives: at least two courses (in addition to those listed above) from RUSSIAN 401*, 402*, 410, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 453, 454, 455, 456, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 476, and 485.
   Advising Recommendation: For most students RUSSIAN 401/402 will be the preferred choice. Students who do not take the RUSSIAN 401/402 sequence will find RUSSIAN 451 or 499 much more difficult.
4. Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature.*

B. Culture track (subplan) [effective Winter 2010] 

1. Prerequisites to the Major. RUSSIAN 101, 102, 201, and 202, (or RUSSIAN 103 and 203, or RUSSIAN 123 and 223) or the equivalent. Interested students are advised to begin Russian during their first year.
2. Core Courses:
   • RUSSIAN 231 or SLAVIC 270 or SLAVIC 240 or SLAVIC 281;
   • RUSSIAN 301 (or RCLANG 323), and 302; or RUSSIAN 303
   • RUSSIAN 401 and 402;
   • RUSSIAN 451 or RUSSIAN 499.
3. Upper-Level Electives for Culture Subplan: At least two of RUSSIAN 322, RUSSIAN 477, SLAVIC 313, RUSSIAN 358, SLAVIC 481, RUSSIAN 347 or 348.
4. Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature.*

C. Heritage Speakers track (subplan) [effective Fall 2011] 

1. Prerequisites for Heritage Speakers Subplan: RUSSIAN 225 or 202, or equivalent, or placement in an upper-level course; and RUSSIAN 231.
2. Core Courses for Heritage Speakers Subplan:
   • RUSSIAN 325 or 302, or equivalent;
   • RUSSIAN 401, 402, 501, and 502;
   • two of RUSSIAN 451, RUSSIAN 499, RCLANG 323.
3. Upper-Level Electives for Heritage Speakers Subplan: At least two of RUSSIAN 347, 348, 361, 450, or other literature or culture courses with permission of advisor.
4. Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature.*
   

*Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature

Three or more credits in advanced courses (300-level or above) in:

• a cognate course studying some other aspect of Russia. (Special attention is called to courses listed under Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.) OR
• another Slavic language (Czech; Bosnian, Croatian, & Serbian; Ukrainian; and Polish) OR
• another foreign language

Concentration changes effective Fall 2011 - Fall 2012

May be elected as a departmental concentration program

A. Russian Language and Literature 

1. Prerequisites to Concentration. RUSSIAN 101, 102, 201, and 202, (or RUSSIAN 103 and 203, or RUSSIAN 123 and 223) or the equivalent. Interested students are advised to begin Russian during their first year.
2. Core Courses:
   • RUSSIAN 301 (or RCLANG 323) and 302;
   • RUSSIAN 451 or 499;
   • RUSSIAN 347 and 348; and
   • at least one course in Russian literature after 1900 (e.g., RUSSIAN 361, 450, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 475).
3. Upper-level Russian language and literature electives: at least two courses (in addition to those listed above) from RUSSIAN 401*, 402*, 410, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 453, 454, 455, 456, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 476, and 485.
   Advising Recommendation: For most students RUSSIAN 401/402 will be the preferred choice. Students who do not take the RUSSIAN 401/402 sequence will find RUSSIAN 451 or 499 much more difficult.
4. three or more credits in advanced courses (300-level or above) in another Slavic language (Czech; Bosnian, Croatian, & Serbian; Ukrainian; and Polish) or another foreign language, or cognate courses studying some other aspect of Russia. Special attention is called to courses listed under Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

B. Culture track (subplan) [effective Winter 2010] 

1. Prerequisites to Concentration. RUSSIAN 101, 102, 201, and 202, (or RUSSIAN 103 and 203, or RUSSIAN 123 and 223) or the equivalent. Interested students are advised to begin Russian during their first year.
2. Core Courses:
   • RUSSIAN 231 or SLAVIC 270 or SLAVIC 240 or SLAVIC 281;
   • RUSSIAN 301 (or RCLANG 323), and 302;
   • RUSSIAN 401 and 402;
   • RUSSIAN 451 or RUSSIAN 499.
3. Upper-Level Electives for Culture Subplan: At least two of RUSSIAN 322, RUSSIAN 477, SLAVIC 313, RUSSIAN 358, SLAVIC 481, RUSSIAN 347 or 348.
4. Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature.

C. Heritage Speakers track (subplan) [effective Fall 2011] 

1. Prerequisites for Heritage Speakers Subplan: RUSSIAN 225 or 202, or equivalent, or placement in an upper-level course; and RUSSIAN 231.
2. Core Courses for Heritage Speakers Subplan:
   • RUSSIAN 325 or 302, or equivalent;
   • RUSSIAN 401, 402, 501, and 502;
   • two of RUSSIAN 451, RUSSIAN 499, RCLANG 323.
3. Upper-Level Electives for Heritage Speakers Subplan: At least two of RUSSIAN 347, 348, 361, 450, or other literature or culture courses with permission of advisor.
4. Cognate requirement for Russian Language and Literature.