Russian Studies (RSST)

Donald R. Kelley
Chair of Studies, Fulbright Institute
722 W. Maple
575-2006

Courses in Russian studies are offered by the following faculty: professors Kelley (political science, chairman of the program), Gay (economics), Purvis (Fulbright Institute), and Vanneman (political science); associate professor Edwards (history); and assistant professors Chappell (history), Ferrier (economics), and Tucker (foreign languages).

The Russian studies program focuses on the prerevolutionary period prior to 1917, on the communist period from 1917 to 1991, and on the post-communist period from 1991 onward. The geographic focus includes Russia, the other successor states that have emerged from the breakup of the Soviet Union, and East Europe.

Students wishing to maximize their knowledge of Russia and the other successor states and wishing to prepare for graduate training and/or employment in the private sector or government in positions related to the area may earn a combined major in Russian studies together with their major in another discipline. Students are required to coordinate their academic programs both with their advisers in the major department and with the Chairman of the Russian studies program. New students entering the program are required to notify both the major adviser and the Chairman of Studies of their intention to participate. Freshmen and sophomores considering this program are advised to begin their study of Russian as early as possible.

Program Requirements

Language Requirement: The student must complete the equivalent of a third year of Russian language training such as RUSS 3013 and RUSS 3023. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain at least a portion of this training in an intensive summer or semester program which provides concentrated instruction beyond the conventional class experience.

Russian Studies Colloquium: The student must complete at least three hours in the Russian Studies Colloquium (RSST 4003). The Colloquium may be repeated with a change of subject for a maximum of six credits, with the three additional credits counted as non-departmental electives within the program.

Electives: The student must complete at least 18 hours in addition to the language requirement and the Colloquium, in courses with specific content related to Russian studies, or in individualized courses under faculty participating in the program. Students choosing to take individualized reading or directed research courses as a part of the RSST program must obtain the approval of the Chairman of Studies and their major adviser.

The following conditions apply to the selection of Russian studies electives:

1. courses must be selected from at least three separate departments;

2. a maximum of nine hours may be submitted from courses taken in any one department; and

3. a maximum of nine hours may be submitted from courses taken in the student's major department.

The following courses may be taken in fulfillment of elective requirements:

Economics

ECON 4533, Comparative Economic Systems

Foreign Language

RUSS 3213, Russian Civilization

RUSS 4213, Russia Today

RUSS 4123, Survey of Russian Literature from its Beginnings to the 1917 Revolution

RUSS 4133, Survey of Russian Literature

RUSS 475V, Special Investigations

Geography

GEOG 4773, Geography of Russia and Successor States

History

HIST 4273, Russia to 1801

HIST 4283, Russia, 1762-1917

HIST 4293, Russia Since 1905

Political Science

PLSC 3863, Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy

PLSC 394V, Readings in Political Science

PLSC 4543, Government & Politics of Eastern Europe

PLSC 4563, Government & Politics of Russia

PLSC 4813, Comparative Foreign Policy: American-Russian/Soviet Relations

PLSC 5563, Russian and Soviet Political System

RUSSIAN STD (RSST) COURSES:

RSST4003 Russian Studies Colloquium (SP) An interdepartmental colloquium with an annual change in subject of investigation, required of all students in the Russian Studies program. May be repeated for 6 hours. Prerequisite: sophomore standing for Russian studies majors and honors students.

RSST4003H Honors Russian Studies Colloquium (SP)