Russian Minor


  1. Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters.
  2. Read articles, reports and short stories.
  3. Converse on family, hobbies, work, travel and current events.
  4. Write simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
  5. Access and use the new media in Russian.
  1. Demonstrate basic familiarity with the norms of contemporary Russian life (i.e., family interactions; popular entertainment; media, including internet; etc.).
  1. Apply Russian as a research tool to a particular academic discipline (i.e., literature, linguistics, history, political science, theology, etc.).
  2. Use Russian in the professional arena (i.e., in working for the U.S. government, an NGO, a private company or firm conducting business with Russia, etc.).
  1. Participate appropriately and meaningfully in a broad range of social interactions with Russians, whether inside or outside of Russia (i.e., cultural and sports events, educational dialogue, religious services, etc.)
  2. Share their own perspectives on Russia in a manner that is well informed and respectful.

Students from other departments and schools are invited to minor in Russian. The minor includes the following six requirements:

2 of the following courses:

or 2 courses from department-approved overseas programs.

Students who begin at a higher level must take a sequence of six courses in consultation with the Department Chair.