The Department of Russian and Slavic Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Russian. It provides instruction designed to develop competence in Russian language, awareness of cultural traditions, and an understanding of literature and the arts. All Russian conversation courses are oriented toward developing proficiency skills as determined by nationally recognized proficiency guidelines.
We offer two degree major emphases: Language-Focused and Culture-Focused. These emphases differ mainly in the amount of Russian language required for completion of the degree.
Language-Focused
The language-focused emphasis (30 units) is for students who are interested in achieving high proficiency in Russian and/or who may want to do graduate work in Russian and Slavic Studies. Rigorous training prepares students for future careers engaged with Russian culture, business and politics as well as supports those wishing to work in Russian-speaking areas of the world.
Culture-Focused
The culture-focused emphasis (30 units) prepares students for careers in government agencies, business, the non-profit sector, and more. It is also an attractive option to students adding Russian & Slavic Studies as a second major. Additionally, this track offers heritage learners of Russian an opportunity to acquire a meta-level of knowledge of the Russian language as well as a deeper understanding of Russian culture through a combination of literature courses and experiential learning opportunities.
Overview of the Major
The standard Russian major consists of 30 units beyond 100-level language courses and typically includes:
- RSS 201, 202: Intermediate Language
- RSS 301, 302: Advanced Language
- RSS 308: Intermediate Conversation
- RSS 340: The Pen and the Sword: Russian Writers and Autocracy 1825-1905
- RSS 350: The Soviet Experiment
The major sequence of courses is selected by the student in conference with the departmental advisor. Appropriate substitutions are made for Heritage Speakers who may not need the entire language concentration and for students who prefer an Eastern European concentration. No more than 6 units of Independent Study may apply to the major. The department participates in the honors program. Prospective honors students must consult with the undergraduate advisor, Prof. Suzanne Thompson.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate, in writing and discussion, familiarity with the major literary and cultural movements of the Russian/Slavic-speaking world from the 19th century to the present. Identify major authors, themes, and genres within these movements.
- Language-Focused and Heritage: Achieve the proficiency of "Basic (Foundational)" (TORFL, Russian Ministry of Education), or "Intermediate" (ACTFL) by testing in speaking, writing, listening, reading, and grammar, according to the proficiency measurements established by TORFL and ACTFL.
- Culture-Focused: Achieve the proficiency of "Elementary" (TORFL, Russian Ministry of Education) or its ACTFL equivalent by testing in speaking, writing, listening, reading, and grammar, according to the proficiency measurements established by TORFL and ACTFL
- Effectively communicate in written and oral discourse how the larger context shapes individual expression in the past and present.
- For literacy learning outcomes, consult the list developed by the Slavic Studies Librarian, Michael Brewer.
Degree Requirements
Emphasis 1 Language-Focused
Requirement: 30 units
RSSS 201 2nd year Russian Language, 1st Semester
RSSS 202 2nd year Russian Language, 2nd Semester
RSSS 301 3rd year Russian Language, 1st Semester
RSSS 302 3rd year Russian Language, 2nd Semester
RSSS 340 The Pen and the Sword: Russian Writers and Autocracy 1825-1905
RSSS 350 The Soviet Experiment
One of the following courses:
RSSS 308 Oral Communication: Global Simulation (or equivalent)
RSSS 415 001 Advanced Topics: Oral Communication
RSSS 415 002 Advanced Topics: Reading
Choose from the following list:
RSSS 208 Russian Conversation II
RSSS 212 Mythic Russia: Russian Fairy ales and Folklore
RSSS 275 Eastern Europe & the Balkans: Constructing Identity in Contact and Conflict
RSSS 280 Sports and Empire: Sport in Soviet & Post-Soviet Eastern European Society
RSSS 304 History of Soviet and Russian Film
RSSS 305 Russian and American Foodways
RSSS 306 Russian Rap from Love and Sex to Propaganda and Protest
RSSS 310 Soviet and East European Science Fiction
RSSS 311 Love for Sale: Fallen Women in Art and Literature
RSSS 315 Werewolves and Vampires: Slavic Folklore in our Culture
RSSS 317 History of Russian Theatre and Performance
RSSS 320 Criminal Russia: From Rasputin to Putin
RSSS 325 Eastern Orthodoxy in a Global Age
RSSS 328 Women in Russian Literature and Culture
RSSS 330 How Ukraine was Tempered: Culture, Politics, and Identity
RSSS 335 Healthy Places, Toxic Spaces: GeoHumanities & Health in Russia & Eastern Europe
RSSS 345 World War II: The Soviet Cultural Experience
RSSS 360 Utopian Visions: East European Visual Culture
RSSS 395A Topics in Slavic and Eurasian Culture
RSSS 399 Independent Study)
RSSS 490 Identity, Language & Nation
RSSS 493c Experiential Learning* contact Prof. Leafgren at leafgren@email.arizona.edu concerning experiential learning internships
RSSS 499 Independent Study
Emphasis 2 Culture-Focused
Requirement - 30 units
RSSS 201 2nd year Russian language, 1st semester
RSSS 202 2nd year Russian language, 2nd semester
RSSS 340 The Pen and the Sword: Russian Writers and Autocracy 1825-1905
RSSS 350 The Soviet Experiment
Choose from the following list:
RSSS 208 Russian Conversation II
RSSS 212 Mythic Russia: Russian Fairytales and Folklore
RSSS 275 Eastern Europe & the Balkans: Constructing Identity in Contact and Conflict
RSSS 280 Sports and Empire: Sport in Soviet & Post-Soviet Eastern European Society
RSSS 301 3rd year Russian language, 1st semester
RSSS 302 3rd year Russian language, 2nd semester
RSSS 304 History of Soviet and Russian Film
RSSS 305 Russian and American Foodways
RSSS 306 Russian Rap from Love and Sex to Propaganda and Protest
RSSS 308 Oral Communication: Global Simulation (or equivalent)* (contact Prof. Leafgren at leafgren@email.arizona.edu)
RSSS 310 Soviet and East European Science Fiction
RSSS 311 Love for Sale: Fallen Women in Art and Literature
RSSS 315 Werewolves and Vampires: Slavic Folklore in our Culture
RSSS 317 History of Russian Theatre and Performance
RSSS 320 Criminal Russia: From Rasputin to Putin
RSSS 325 Eastern Orthodoxy in a Global Age
RSSS 328 Women in Russian Literature and Culture
RSSS 335 Healthy Places, Toxic Spaces: GeoHumanities & Health in Russia & Eastern Europe
RSSS 345 World War II: The Soviet Cultural Experience
RSSS 360 Utopian Visions: East European Visual Culture
RSSS 395A Topics in Slavic and Eurasian Culture
RSSS 399 Independent Study
RSSS 415 001 Advanced topics: Oral Communication
RSSS 415 002 Advanced Topics: Reading
RSSS 490 Identity, Language & Nation
RSSS 493c Experiential Learning* (contact Prof. Leafgren at leafgren@email.arizona.edu concerning experiential learning internships)
RSSS 499 Independent Study