Germanic Studies Program WebCT Curriculum for German Studies Slavic Studies Program Russian Studies Program

Russian Studies

View Academic Learning Compact

At once one of the richest cultures and one of the most volatile, perplexing and powerful of the world's emerging economies, Russia and the Newly Independent States are fast attracting the attention and involvement of a variety of professional spheres, ranging from industry and finance to law, government and education. All of these sectors are actively recruiting graduates familiar with the Russian language and culture.

The Russian Studies Program is committed to providing its students with a thorough, well-balanced and practical proficiency in contemporary spoken and written Russian, an in the rich and diverse literary and cultural traditions that make Russia such a fascinatingly different and complex nation today. We are committed to helping students develop the critical, analytical and interpretive tools essential for successfully working and living in today's increasingly global environment. Toward these ends, we regularly offer the UF community an array of courses conducted in both English and Russian, restricted in size, and taught by full-time faculty and native speakers who are trained to teach Russian as a foreign language and culture. Our Overseas Study Program at the Russian State University for the Humanities ensures that those interested in living and studying in Russia have a safe and affordable means of doing so.

Why Study Russian?

A major or minor concentration in Russian Studies prepares students for a wide variety of careers, including international law, business, journalism, advertising, foreign service, tourism, teaching and educational exchange, as well as for advanced degree work in the humanities or social sciences. Completed alone, in combination with a second major, or as a minor, the concentration in Russian provides students with interpretive and analytical skills essential for performing effectively in today's global environment. Successful completion of the program, which includes a range of courses in Russian language, literature and culture--as well as optional overseas study on the U.F. exchange program in Moscow--will give students the tools needed to interact with Russians, to understand Russian-language media on the level of everyday communication as well as their individual sub-specialties, and to pursue their interests in cross-cultural communication independently, beyond the walls of the classroom.

Finally, you don't need to be a genius to study Russian. While the grammar is somewhat more challenging than Spanish, French or German for native English speakers, our teaching methods are enormously student-friendly and geared primarily toward introducing students to Russian culture and giving them the tools for interacting with it. All they need to bring is a healthy dose of curiosity and a willingness to engage themselves. We welcome students who are mainly looking to fulfill the language requirement and generally approve an S/U option for those who are concerned about being penalized for taking the less conventional, more exotic route.

Major Program

A student majoring in Russian needs a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours (l0 courses) of Russian. Up to fifteen (15) 3-4000 level credits can be transferred from another institution. Nine (9) credits can be earned in RUS 2200 and any two of the RUT culture and literature courses in English translation (with the exception of RUT 2100). The remaining credits should be from RUS/RUW courses on the 3000 and 4000 level. Students who, upon entering the program, place out of RUS 2200 and RUS 3240 (without transfer credits) will be permitted to take up to twelve (12) credits of RUT courses toward the major. No more than three (3) credits can be earned in independent study (RUW 4905).

Students considering a major or double-major in Russian are encouraged to consult with the Undergraduate Coordinator for Russian Studies as soon as possible to ensure that they meet tracking requirements once they apply. Applications for changing majors should be submitted in writing to the CLAS advisement office as soon as possible. Students seeking double majors involving Russian must wait until they obtain Junior-year status before officially applying for the second major.

Minor Program

To qualify for a minor, students need a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours (5 courses) of Russian. Up to six (6) credit hours can be transferred from another institution. Six (6) credits can be earned in RUS 2200 and any one of the RUT culture and literature courses in English translation (with the exception of RUT 2100). The remaining credits should be from RUS/RUW courses on the 3000 and 4000 level. Students who, upon entering the program, place out of RUS 2200 and RUS 3240 (without transfer credits) will be permitted to take up to nine (9) credits of RUT courses toward the minor. No more than three (3) credits can be earned in independent study (RUW 4905).

Students considering a minor in Russian are encouraged to consult with the Undergraduate Coordinator for Russian Studies as soon as possible to ensure that they meet tracking retirements once they apply. Official applications for adding a minor can and should be submitted in writing to the CLAS advisement office once 60 hours of credit (total) have been earned.

With what other disciplines do Russian majors and minors combine their degree? In addition to the solo major, our students have combined Russian as a major or minor with a diverse range of fields that has included: Advertising, Anthropology, Arabic, Biochemistry, Business, Chinese, Communications, Computer Science, Criminology, Education, Electrical Engineering, English, Finance and Real Estate, Geography, German, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Relations, Journalism, Linguistics, Marketing, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, and Zoology.

When asked what they plan to do after they graduate, current and recent majors and minors listed the following professions: Advertising, Aerospace Engineering, Agriculture, Anthropology, Business/Finance, Education and teaching, Foreign Service, graduate studies in History, Linguistics, Literature and Political Science, Intelligence (CIA, FBI, NSA), Journalism, Law (Corporate and International), Law Enforcement, Marketing, Mathematics, Peace Corps, Public Relations, Physics, Publishing, Stockbroking, Telecommunications, Translating and Interpreting, the U. S. Military (all four branches) and Veterinary Medicine.

Contact

Any questions? Ready to sign-up?
Please contact the Undergraduate Coordinator:

Galina Rylkova
grylkova@ufl.edu
352-392-2101 ext. 205

 

> top