Dear Student,
In an effort to better meet your particular needs and interests, we offer three major options, which take advantage of several existing strengths at Rutgers. These
include the unique collections of Russian and Soviet art at the Zimmerli Art Museum, our strong programs in Linguistics and Russian History, a dynamic Center for
Russian Central and East European Studies and a strong faculty in Russian language and literature who are committed to undergraduate education.
The option in Russian Literature fosters language proficiency and exposes students to a wide variety of literary works in the original language. The option in Russian
Literature and History examines the constant and extensive interaction between literature and history. The option in Russian Language and Linguistics is intended for
students who are primarily interested in studying language. The study of Russian gives their study of Linguistics a more practical and immediate perspective, while
their study of Linguistics informs their study of Russian with a deeper view of the ways in which a language works. All three major options emphasize language
proficiency and we actively encourage our students to apply for study in Russia.
Students who graduate with a major in any of our options may go on to study literature or linguistics in graduate school, or pursue a career in international affairs or
business. Because of their training in research, critical thinking, and writing, students are also prepared for law school and other professional schools.
We invite you to come and discuss your interest in our program.
The Rutgers department is also home to several experienced and skilled language instructors. The instructors at Rutgers believe in using a variety of methods and
materials to introduce students to Russian language and to strengthen their language skills. Both grammar and conversational skills are emphasized and students are
expected to express these skills in a variety of formats. Students at different levels are expected to watch and respond to movies and videos and may become part of
theatre and video productions themselves. In advanced courses students are responsible for reading and discussing contemporary and classical Russian texts and
contemporary Russian politics. In upper year courses the internet becomes an important resource for current information on Russian politics and culture, and students
will be expected to undertake searches and to present their findings in class. At the different instructional levels student presentations are part of the fun and are a
required component of the course. Each instructor does his or her best to create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere in which students develop and hone their
language skill
MAJOR OPTIONS
Russian Language and Literature (major
and minor)
Russian Literature and History
Russian Language and Linguistics
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
36 credits beyond 201-202
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (18 CREDITS)
860:205 Intro. to Russian Lit.
860:301, 302 Third Year Russian
860:401, 402 Fourth Year Russian
860:486 Seminar in Russian Lit.
CHOOSE 15 CREDITS OF ELECTIVES (each worth 3 credits)
860: 320, 321 Special Topics in Russian Studies
860:322 Russian Short Story
860:326 Russian Drama
860:327, 328 The Russian Novel I, II
860: 330 Dostoevsky
860:332 Russian Poetry
860:335 Landscapes of the Mind: Country and City in Russian Lit. and Art
860:336 The Art and Literature of the Soviet Period and the Varieties of Nonconformism
860:337 Ideology and the Construction of Fact: Soviet Cinema and the Historical Record
860:433 Pushkin and His Age
860:435 Sexuality and the Construction of Gender in Russian Literature
CHOOSE 3 CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING:
860: 338, 339 Zimmerli Museum internship in Russian Art
860: 491, 492 Russian Practicum
MINOR IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
18 credits : 3 courses of 3 or more credits each in the Russian language and 3 courses in Russian literature. At least three courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. All minors
must be approved by a departmental adviser.
RUSSIAN LITERATURE AND HISTORY
36 credits from the combined disciplines
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (24 CREDITS)
Language Courses (9 credits):
860:301, 302 Third Year Russian (6 credits)
and
860:338, 339 Zimmerli Museum Internship in Russian Art (3 credits)
or
860: 359 Translation (3 credits)
COURSES IN RUSSIAN HISTORY OR POLITICAL SCIENCE (9 credits)
(3 credits each)
** some substitutions are permitted
790:380 Russian and Central European Political Thought
510: 373 State and Society in Imperial Russia
510: 375 Revolutionary Russia and the Soviet Union
SENIOR SEMINAR AND SENIOR THESIS
860: 486, 487 Senior Seminar and Senior Thesis (6 credits)
CHOOSE 12 CREDITS OF ELECTIVES:
(3 credits each)
860: 320 Special Topics in Russian Studies
860:327,328 The Russian Novel I, II
860: 330 Dostoevsky
860:335 Landscapes of the Mind: Country and City in Russian Literature and Art
860:336 The Art and Literature of the Soviet Period and the Varieties of Nonconformism
860:337 Ideology and the Construction of Fact: Soviet Cinema and the Historical Record
860:433 Pushkin and His Age
860:435 Sexuality and the Construction of Gender in Russian Literature
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS
36 credits from the combined disciplines
860:301, 302 Third Year Russian
860:401, 402 Fourth Year Russian
860:451 Introduction to Slavic Linguistics
860:452 Seminar in Slavic Linguistics
615:201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory
615: 305 Syntax
615: 310 Phonology
615: 322 Semantics
CHOOSE 6 CREDITS:
860: 351, 352 Structure of the Russian Language
860: 491, 492 Russian Practicum
CERTIFICATE IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Any student may earn a certificate of proficiency in Russian after successfully completing (B or better) work in the following courses (18 credits):
Required
860; 301, 302 Third Year Russian
860:401, 402 Fourth Year Russian
Students who present advanced placement or who are native speakers may be awarded certificates of proficiency after earning a grade of B or better in both 401, and 402.
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