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Russian StudiesThe Russian Studies division of the department of German and Russian studies offers students the opportunity to learn one of the world's most widely spoken languages, and to study the culture and history of Russia and Eastern Europe. The Russian cultural heritage is rich, including such writers as Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Chekhov, Akhmatova, and Bulgakov, as well as some of the world's most renowned composers, choreographers, filmmakers, and artists. Moreover, because of Russia's unique history and geographical setting, anyone who studies its language and culture has the opportunity to gain access to the emerging Eurasian regions, and vital insights into some of the most important historical processes of our time. The Macalester Russian studies program prepares students for graduate studies in the Slavic field and other disciplines, and augments their preparation for work in government or international commerce. It can fruitfully complement studies in the humanities and international studies. As Russia remakes itself, graduates with knowledge of Russian will have greater opportunities in journalism, government service, business, ecology, scientific research and many other areas. The Russian House Students compete for rooms in the Macalester Russian House, where conversation with a resident native speaker and other students of Russian improves oral proficiency in Russian and develops increased understanding of Russian culture and society. Living in the Russian House is excellent preparation for a semester in Russia. The Russian House also hosts departmental events such as dinners, films and student performances. Study Abroad Today the opportunities to travel, study and do research in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are better than ever. After 1–2 years our students may apply to the CIEE, ACTR, SIT, the Middlebury, or other programs as approved by the department and the International Center study abroad advisors. General Distribution RequirementAll Russian courses count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities. General Education RequirementsCourses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester. Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog. Major ConcentrationThe purpose of the major in Russian studies is to provide students with the language, critical skills and area knowledge necessary for the use of Russian in commerce, science, and international relations and for further study of Russian literature and area studies. A major concentration in Russian studies consists of 52 credits, distributed as follows: I. Russian department courses: 36 credits, to include: a) Basic language sequence beyond Russian 101–102 (Elementary Russian), 16 credits: Russian 203–204 (Intermediate Russian), 8 credits, and another 8 credits of Russian language abroad in the third year, or equivalent. Russian studies majors are expected to complete the equivalent of three years of Russian language in a combination of courses taken on campus and abroad. Students with significant language background when they come to Macalester may substitute courses from b). b) Literature, culture, special language courses, 16 credits: Russian 251 (Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in Translation), Russian 252 (Twentieth-Century Russian Literature and Culture in Translation), Russian 255 (Russian Culture), Russian 256 (Mass Culture Under Communism), Russian 268 (Nabokov), Russian 272 (Postnationalism: the Post-Soviet Sphere), Russian 363 (Orientalism and Empire: Russia's Literary South), Russian 367 (Dostoevsky and Gogol), and topics courses offered as Russian 194, 294 or 394. At least one of these courses should focus on the 19th century and one on the 20th century. c) Russian 488 (Senior Seminar), 4 credits, designed as the integrative capstone experience. May be taken upon completion of Russian 204 and an approved study abroad plan. Since the topic changes from year to year, students may repeat Russian 488 for credit under b), with the consent of the instructor. II. Study abroad A semester study abroad program as approved by the department and the Macalester Study Abroad Committee. Most students will study abroad in the fall semester following completion of Russian 204. Courses taken abroad may count for up to 8 credits in the language sequence to a total of 12 departmental credits, as well as 4 supporting credits (to be determined in consultation with the department). III. Supporting courses (16 credits) a) Two courses in Russian, Central and Eastern European Area Studies, 8 credits, as approved by the department. Such courses are at least fifty-percent devoted to the area of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Preapproved courses include: History 360 (The Rise and Fall of Tsarist Russia) and History 362 (History of the Soviet Union and its Successors), Economics 225 (Comparative Economic Systems), Economics 227 (Adam Smith and Karl Marx) and Economics 325 (Economics of the Transition), International Studies 285 (Ethnicity and Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe), International Studies 317 Writers and Power: The European East in the 20th Century. Appropriate topics courses include Music 394 (Shostakovich). b) Two international courses, 8 credits, with at least twenty-five percent area content. Presently offered courses include International Studies/Russian 265 (Translation as Cross-Cultural Communication), International Studies/Russian 364 (Culture and Revolution), and International Studies 372, Post-Nationalism: The European Union. Some courses from a) may qualify for this requirement. Courses in other departments can be included with the permission of the department. Minor ConcentrationA minor concentration in Russian studies consists of any five courses as listed above beyond Russian 102 (Elementary Russian II), to include Russian 203–204 (Intermediate Russian I and II). Policy on Russian Language GradesIn order to be accepted into the next higher Russian language course in the sequence, a student must have received a grade of C– or higher in the previous course. For additional information regarding the language requirement, see the college requirements. Honors ProgramThe Russian department participates in the Honors Program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the Russian department are available either from the department office or the Dean of Academic Programs. Topics Courses194, 294, 394, 494 The subject matter of these courses will vary: departmental and interdisciplinary topics such as: "Things Don't Like Me: The Material World and Why It Matters"; "Wrongdoing"; and "War and Peace". Most topics courses are taught in English. Every year. (4 credits)
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