The University of Rochester offers degrees in both Russian and Russian Studies. The Russian major, minor and clusters are in the Humanities division. The Russian Studies major and minor can count in either the Humanities or the Social Sciences, and there are Russian Studies clusters in both these divisions as well.
Russia has long captivated the West as a land of golden onion-domed churches, vast expanses, despotic tsars, ruthless commissars, long-suffering but large-hearted people, great writers, and, of course, the mysterious Russian soul. It is also now a place where hundreds of US companies do business and where thousands of Americans work and study.
The Russian curriculum in MLC offers students courses in beginning through advanced Russian language study, Russian literature of the last two centuries, Russian civilization, art, architecture, and film, as well as classes focusing on Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Students are also encouraged to take Russian Studies courses that cover such topics as the analysis of ongoing events in Russia, the cult and culture of secrecy, and the politics of identity. In addition, Russian majors generally study abroad in Russia for a summer or a semester.
Five courses in Russian language, literature and culture, to be selected in consultation with the Russian Advisor.
Three of our clusters emphasize language study or combine language with literature and culture courses. The fourth involves courses given in English, although majors and native speakers generally do some of the reading in Russian:
For a detailed listing of the courses in each cluster click here.
Russian Studies, an interdisciplinary program of the College of Arts and Sciences, incorporates the perspective of several departments and the linguistic, historical and cultural background needed to understand Russia's past, to analyze its present, and to make responsible predictions about its future.
The three departments providing the core faculty for this program are MLC, History, and Political Science, but a Russian Studies major or minor concentration includes courses in or cross-listed with Religion and Classics, Judaic Studies, Polish and Central European Studies, Film Studies, Women's Studies, Comparative Literature, Art and Art History and Economics. An interdisciplinary approach comes naturally to our students, many of whom are doing a second major in history, political science or another area.
NOTE: The Russian Studies Major and Minor can be counted in either Humanities or Social Sciences, depending on your choice of courses.
For a detailed listing of the courses in each cluster click here.
These clusters involve courses given in English:
In addition to Russian language at all levels, the following courses are regularly offered in English.
Study in St. Petersburg during the White Nights in June on the UR Summer Program (6 credits). Begin or continue your study of Russian. Eligible students receive grants from the Mildred Burton Fund for this program. Students also study for a semester or academic year in Russia through the CIEE and ACTR programs (up to four courses count toward the major).
The College Board Subject Test Advanced Placement Scores or International Baccalaureate rankings assist departmental advisors in finding the right course level for you. Information on how you learned the language or languages you know will also help us advise you on the most appropriate courses for you in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. The first step is to take the online placement exam in Russian. You will receive a score that will be used along with the survey information you provide and with any AP or IB scores you have submitted that will help determine your placement in a specific language course. Please note that any semester placement you may receive with your online numerical test scores are not University of Rochester placement rubrics.
Students will receive a “Course planning, placement, and recommendations” sheet with their language placement information from Academic Advising during Orientation and via email.
Kathleen Parthé
Ph. D. (Cornell), Professor of Russian, Director of the Russian Studies Program
John Givens
Ph.D. (University of Washington), Associate Professor of Russian
Laura Givens
M.A. (University of Washington), Senior Lecturer in Russian.
Anna Maslennikova
Ph.D. (St. Petersburg), Senior Lecturer in Russian
Randall Stone
Ph.D. (Harvard), Professor of Political Science
Matthew Lenoe
Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Associate Professor of History
for Russian, Professor John Givens at 585-275-4251.
for Russian Studies Program, Professor Kathleen Parthé, Director, at 585-275-4251.
