Students must follow the Russian language placement procedures posted on Moodle if 1) they have already studied the language or 2) they have any knowledge of the language through family or community. If you are new to the language, you should enroll in RUSS 101: Elementary Russian Language.
The Russian Studies major and minor have a significant language component that may be completed in as little as two academic years and in a variety of ways. You can begin or continue your Russian language training on the Moscow Maymester, semester, or academic year programs. You may also opt to fulfill the 300-level requirement with Russian 301: Composition & Conversation, a Russian 399 course offered during the spring semester and designed for both intermediate and advanced students, or an advanced Russian language practicum attached to a course conducted in English.
Contact Russian Studies faculty to discuss the language training opportunities and approaches that fit your schedule.
Major
Russian Studies majors take a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 courses at the intermediate level or above. Majors must successfully complete Russian 201, 202 (Intermediate Russian) and one semester of a 300-level language courses (Russian 301, Russian 399, an advanced language Practicum associated with a Russian course conducted in English, or study abroad), although majors are encouraged to continue language study throughout their college careers. Majors are also required to take a minimum of four literature and/or culture courses. Of these four courses, at least one must be selected from those conducted in Russian (Russian 392, Russian 399, summer or study abroad courses, or an advanced language Practicum associated with a Russian course conducted in English). Students are encouraged to take at least one class in each of three categories: Historical Period, Genre, and Thematic. Courses in 19th Century Russian Literature and 20th Century Russian Literature are highly recommended.
Students may count toward the major up to two courses on Russia offered in other departments like Political Science and History. Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in our Moscow study abroad programs at the Russian State University for the Humanities. Students have the option for Maymester (1 major credit), semester (4 major credits), or academic year (8 major credits) programs. Majors who study abroad should plan to take at least one course at Holy Cross in their fourth year.
Minor
Russian Studies minors take a minimum of six courses on the intermediate level or above. Minors are required to successfully complete Russian 201, 202 (Intermediate Russian) and one semester of a 300-level language courses (Russian 301, Russian 399, an advanced language Practicum associated with a Russian course conducted in English, or study abroad). Students select at least three additional Russia-related courses depending on their interests and focus.
Students may count toward the minor up to two courses on Russia offered in other departments like Political Science and History. Minors are strongly encouraged to participate in our Moscow study abroad programs at the Russian State University for the Humanities. Students have the option for Maymester (1 minor credit), semester (4 minor credits), or academic year programs (8 major credits). Minors who study abroad are required to take at least three Russian courses at Holy Cross (which may include Elementary Russian Language) and at least one in their fourth year.
Department Advanced Placement Policy
Students with AP credit in Russian language or literature earn placement in the curriculum but do not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Russian will forfeit the AP credit.