Concentration in Russian Language and Literature or Russian Linguistics

This program is intended for students preparing for graduate work, those planning a career in government or industry in which knowledge of Russian is useful, and those whose primary aim is to read the masterpieces of Russian literature in the original, or to study Russian linguistics.

This program is designed to teach students skills in written and spoken Russian, instruct them in Russian literature (or linguistics), and acquaint them with the main characteristics of Etching Russian history and culture. The program is similar to the major in Russian Civilization, but it has a more humanistic emphasis. It is intended for students preparing for graduate work, those planning a career in government or industry in which knowledge of Russian is useful, and those whose primary aim is to read the masterpieces of Russian literature in the original, or to study Russian linguistics.

Within the program there are two options: one with emphasis on literature and the other with emphasis on Russian linguistics.

Students must take thirteen courses that meet the following requirements:

(1) Second-, third-, and fourth-year Russian (or their equivalents). Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition the Departmental Adviser and coordinator of Russian language courses to be excused from the fourth-year Russian requirement.

(2a) Students in Russian literature take four courses in literature including any two from RUSS 25500, 25600, or 25700 (Introduction to Russian Literature). RUSS 29900 (B.A. Paper) cannot be counted toward this requirement except by written permission of the Departmental Adviser. RUSS 29700 (Independent Reading and Research) cannot be counted toward this requirement.

(2b) Students in Russian linguistics must take SLAV 20100 (Introduction to Slavic Linguistics), RUSS 23000 or 23100 (Structure of Russian Phonology or Morphology of Russian), and two additional courses to be chosen from Russian literature, Slavic linguistics, and general linguistics. The last two must be approved in writing by the Departmental Adviser.

It is recommended that students fulfill their civilization studies requirement in general education with Russian civilization; they are advised to choose electives from such related fields as general linguistics, history, philosophy, political science, and literature.

The department suggests that students planning to do graduate work in a Slavic-related field take a year of French, German, or a second Slavic language.

All students must write an acceptable B.A. paper in their final year under supervision of a faculty member in the Slavic Department. They may register for the B.A. preparation course (RUSS 29900) with approval of the supervisor; this course will confer general elective credit but will not count toward the thirteen courses required in the concentration.

Summary of Requirements

CORE:

  • (recommended) Introduction to Russian Civilization (SOSC 24000-24100)

CONCENTRATION:

  • (3 credits) 2nd year Russian (RUSS 20100-20200-20300) or Russian through Lit Readings (RUSS 20400-20500-20600)*
  • (3 credits) 3rd year Russian through Culture (RUSS 20702-20802-20902)*
  • (3 credits) 4th year Russian through Short Stories (RUSS 21002-21102-21202)
  • 4 credits chosen from the options below:
    • Literature Option
      • two courses chosen from Intro to Russian Literature (RUSS 25500-25600-25700)
      • two additional Russian literature courses
    • Linguistics Option
      • Intro to Slavic Linguistics (SLAV 20100)
      • Structure of Russian Phonology (RUSS 23000) or Structure of Russian Morphology (RUSS 23100)
      • Two approved courses in Russian literature, Slavic linguistics, or general linguistics
  • BA paper

*Or, placement credit for 1st-3rd year Russian