Russian Studies
Phone: 703-993-1233
Web: russianstudies.gmu.edu
Faculty
Barnes (History and Art History), Boettke (Economics), Christensen (Modern and Classical Languages), Johnsen-Neshati (Theater), Katz (Public and International Affairs), T. Mills Kelly (History and Art History), Levine (Modern and Classical Languages, director), Wade (History and Art History)
Undergraduate Program
Russian Studies, BA
Students may pursue one of two directions in this degree program: Russian studies as one element of a double major, or Russian studies as a single degree program. In the first option, students must fulfill all requirements of the program as noted below. Students must also fulfill requirements of the second major. Obvious combinations with Russian studies include geography, history, government and international politics, and economics. This program may be accomplished within a four-year period, and is recommended for students who intend to seek employment in government, industry, or journalism.
The second option is recommended for students who intend to study Russian language and literature in graduate school, who are interested in careers as translators, or who are studying for self-enrichment.
In addition to satisfying university-wide general education requirements and requirements for a BA degree in LAHS, students majoring in Russian studies must complete the following course work with a minimum GPA of 2.000:
- Russian language through the intermediate level through course work or testing
- 6 credits of RUSS 380 and 381
- 3 credits of RUSS 480 or 481 (preferably both)
- 6 credits of Russian literature (may simultaneously satisfy university general education and college-level literature requirements )
- 9 credits of additional upper-level courses bearing the RUSS course code, two of which must be selected from the following: 302, 303, 310, 311, 401, 410, and 480 or 481 (whichever is not taken to fulfill the third requirement above)
- 3 credits of RUSS 353 or HIST 328 (RUSS 353 may simultaneously satisfy the college-level non-Western requirement, and the university-wide synthesis requirement; HIST 328 may simultaneously satisfy either the college-level non-Western requirement or the university-wide global understanding requirement)
- 3 credits of RUSS 354 or HIST 329 (may simultaneously satisfy either the college-level non-Western requirement, or the university-wide global understanding -requirement)
- 3 credits of GEOG 330 or GOVT 338 (may simultaneously satisfy the college level social science requirement)
Qualified students are strongly encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs in Russia. Through a cooperative agreement with the American Council of Teachers of Russian, students may apply to summer or semester Russian language programs at one of several leading universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Interested students should consult with their major advisor.
Approved Courses
Department of Modern and Classical Languages: RUSS 101, 102, 109, 201, 202, 209 (subject to language proficiency exam), 302, 303, 310, 311, 325, 326, 327, 353, 354, 380, 381, 401, 407, 410, 470, 480, 481, 490, 491
Department of Geography and Earth Science: GEOG 330
Department of History and Art History: HIST 328, 329, 426
Department of Public and International Affairs: GOVT 338, 447
Cognate courses: ANTH 114; ARTH 360, 362; ECON 380; GEOG 103; GOVT 132; THR 351, 352
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in Russian studies may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing RUSS 302, 325, or 407.