Slavic Languages and Literatures

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers two different major tracks.

Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures

This track offers an interdisciplinary area studies approach. For this major track, students chose between two concentrations: Russian, or Armenian/Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian/Czech/Hungarian/Polish. Two years of study (or the equivalent) in Russian or another language are required. This major track integrates the study of languages and cultures of a large area: Russia, East Central Europe, Southeastern Europe, and Eurasia. Students design their own programs by selecting courses offered by the Slavic department and other departments such as History, Political Economy, Geography, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, Anthropology, and others. While all majors in this track will gain some knowledge of the whole area, the program also allows each student to emphasize a specific cultural region, compare different regions, and/or define a particular field of study.

Students are advised to see the major advisor in advance to prepare an individualized study list plan.

Russian Language and Literature

This track focuses specifically on Russian language and literature. It requires three years of language coursework (or the equivalent). This major track integrates the study of Russian language, literature, and culture. Students will learn what defines Russia’s unique place in civilization both in earlier times and in today’s world. Students are advised to see the major advisor in advance to prepare an individualized study plan.

Declaring the Major

All students must see the major advisor for consultation, language proficiency referral (as needed), and study list planning and approval prior to pursuing a major track. Students may declare their major upon entry to the University. However, the department encourages one year of study in the student’s major language prior to declaration.

Heritage Speakers of Russian

Heritage speakers include those who grew up in Russian speaking families or communities but without a standard Russian language educational background. Heritage speakers may select any major or minor track offered by the Department except the minor in Russian language. The requirements may change depending on each student’s language proficiency and academic interests. Consult the Major Advisor for language testing and individualized plan of study.

Honors Program

Slavic majors with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 overall and in courses for the major are invited to consult with members of the faculty and the major advisor in the spring of their junior year about the honors program and a thesis topic. Requirements for the honors program in Slavic include an additional upper division Slavic course chosen by the student and an honors thesis course (SLAVIC H195).

In the honors thesis course, normally taken during the fall semester of the senior year, the student will write a thesis under the direction of a member of the faculty (the thesis director). In order to enroll in SLAVIC H195, students must file an application with the department (available from the undergraduate student services advisor). This application includes a preliminary statement of the thesis topic and the names and signatures of the honors committee—the faculty director and one additional faculty member who also read the completed thesis—and the department chair.

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