Students are required to take one Russian language course at the appropriate level and one or more of the following courses. There is a maximum of 10 students per language class, while a minimum of 10 students is required to confirm a non-language course.
Recommended semester credits are given in parentheses. Each semester covers one language level. Full-year students in good standing move to the next level the second semester.
Scheduling conflicts may arise. The University Dean and Resident Director reserve the right to cancel or modify courses in unavoidable circumstances or for insufficient enrollment (less than 10 students).
| Russian Language Courses | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 101 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Elementary I |
| Course Description: | |
| Beginning college level course in Russian grammar, conversation, phonetics and writing practice. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 102 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Elementary II |
| Course Description: | |
| Beginning college level course in Russian grammar, conversation, phonetics and writing practice. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 201 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Intermediate I |
| Course Description: | |
| Vocabulary, grammar, composition, phonetics and techniques of written expression with further development of vocabulary and pronunciation. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 202 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Intermediate II |
| Course Description: | |
| Vocabulary, grammar, composition, phonetics and techniques of written expression with further development of vocabulary and pronunciation. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 203 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Intermediate III |
| Course Description: | |
| Vocabulary, grammar, composition, phonetics and techniques of written expression with further development of vocabulary and pronunciation. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 301 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Advanced I |
| Course Description: | |
| Structural exercises in grammar, use of different categories of language (commercial, administrative, journalistic, familiar, colloquial, formal) and extensive written work. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 302 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Advanced II |
| Course Description: | |
| Structural exercises in grammar, use of different categories of language (commercial, administrative, journalistic, familiar, colloquial, formal) and extensive written work. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 401 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Superior I |
| Course Description: | |
| Perfecting techniques already learned and acquiring more sophisticated written and spoken styles. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Russian 402 fall/spring (9) |
| Course Title: | Superior II |
| Course Description: | |
| Perfecting techniques already learned and acquiring more sophisticated written and spoken styles. | |
Elective Classes taught in English
These courses meet throughout the semester (total of 42 hours for the semester).| Elective Classes taught in English | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Art History 303 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | History of Russian Art |
| Course Description: | |
| Works of the most famous painters of icons and of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the works discussed are visited in local museums such as the Hermitage and the Russian Museum. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | History 305 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | Russian History from Kievan Rus to the Revolution |
| Course Description: | |
| The founding and expansion of the Russian state from Kievan Rus through czarist Russia to the eve of the revolution. Students visit sites in St. Petersburg where major events of Russian history took place. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | History/Political Science 315 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | Contemporary History of Russia: The Communist Phase |
| Course Description: | |
| Russia’s recent historical background from the October Revolution to the collapse of the USSR. The seizure of Russia by the Bolsheviks in October 1917 through the Civil War (1918-1922), Stalin’s role and that of his Communist followers. Problems of reforms under Communist domination (N.S. Khrushchev, M.S. Gorbachev), the mellowing of the Communist dictatorship, growing corruption of elites and the final demise of Communist dictatorship. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | History 312 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | History and Culture of St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg’s Role in Russian History and Culture |
| Course Description: | |
| Topics include St. Petersburg as the capital of the Russian Empire and home to major architectural and artistic monuments, the city as home to Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Brodsky and Shostokovitch. This course also looks at major figures in Russian history and their links to St. Petersburg. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Literature 307 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | 19th Century Russian Literature |
| Course Description: | |
| Reading key works in translation, students trace the history of classical Russian literature from 11th century beginnings to the turn of the 20th century. Main focus is on 19th century writers such as Pushkin, Tolstoi, Dostoevsky, Gogol and Chekhov. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Literature 309 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | Contemporary Russian Literature |
| Course Description: | |
| Focus is on major themes of Russian literature since 1917, with students reading (in translation) highly regarded works written both in Russia and abroad. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Political Science/Sociology 311 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | Contemporary Russian Life |
| Course Description: | |
| Major elements of contemporary Russian life: law, economics, government, health care, art and education. Topics include Soviet literature and journalism, the “non-Russian nationality” question since 1985 and economic effects of Perestroika. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Religion/Sociology 319 fall/spring (3) |
| Course Title: | The Russian Orthodox Church, its Development and its Influence Today |
| Course Description: | |
| Development of the Russian Orthodox Church and the influence that the Orthodoxy has on Russian culture. Relationship and interaction between the Church and State during different periods of Russian history. The major religious confessions existing in Russia and the role and influence that the Orthodox Church has in Russian society today. | |
