RUSS: B.A. in Russian Language and Culture

The undergraduate major in Russian is intended to provide students with instruction in Russian language from Beginning through Advanced levels, as well as a broad exposure to various aspects of Russian culture. The major requires 40 credits beyond the Beginning level of the basic language acquisition sequence (Russian 101-102, Russian 111-114, or the equivalent.) No course grade lower than "C" may be used to satisfy a major requirement. Before beginning the 40 credit sequence for the Russian major, the student must complete the 12-credit introductory language series of Russian 101-102; the four-semester "non-intensive" series, Russian 111, 112, 113, 114; or the equivalent, for those with previous work in the language. Requirements for the Major Students must take the prerequisite courses 101-102 (or 111-114) sequentially. Once credits has been received for a higher-level language acquisition or grammar course, a lower-level course may not be taken for credit. Major Requirements Credits Russ 201-202 10 Russ 301-302 6 One additional course at the 300-level in Russian 3 Russ 401-402 6 One additional course at the 400-level in Russian 3 Four more electives from Departmental offerings,two of which must be 300- or 400-level courses taught in Russian: 12 In certain rare cases, one supporting course outside the department (at the 300-level or above) may be counted toward the major with an advisor's prior approval. For example, courses in the Departments of Linguistics, Comparative Literature, English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, and others may be approved based on the individual student's profile, interests, and career goals. Any substitutions of courses to satisfy the major requirements must be approved by a departmental advisor prior to course completion. Study Abroad Though study abroad is not a required componenet of the major, most university students majoring in Russian do spend a summer, semester or year abroad. Credits earned during study abroad must be approved by the department prior to study, and can be used to satisfy the major requirements.

To earn a B.A. in Russian Language and Culture, students are required to complete all CORE, College of Arts and Humanities, and Russian Program requirements. The College of Arts and Humanities has a dual advising system which means that you need to meet regularly with an advisor in the Office of Student Affairs (ARHU advisor) regarding your CORE and ARHU College requirements and with your departmental advisor for your major requirements. For more information about individual courses listed in the plan, you can consult the Course Catalog.

Please note: These sample templates presume that a student is full time and entered the major during the freshman year. All part-time students and students who have changed their major into the college, should consult with their advisors to determine how to develop an individualized plan.

For college advising, please contact: Office of Student Affairs
1120 Francis Scott Key Hall
301-405-2108

For departmental advising, please contact: Russian Program
Advisor: Elizabeth Papazian - papazian@umd.edu
Phone: 301-405-4329
Office: 4123 Jimenez Hall Contact by phone

What can I do with my major?

Download an editable (RTF) or plain text version of this plan.

You should also download and print the ARHU Advising Worksheet (MS Word format) before meeting with your advisor.

Year 1

Semester 1

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • ENGL 101 (A/H/U/S or X)
  • UNIV 100 or 101
  • RUSS 101
  • RUSS 221/222 (also CORE HL)

Semester 2

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Lab - LL or PL)
  • MATH 110/111/113/115/140/220/STAT 100
  • RUSS 102
  • Russ 221, 222, 281, or 298K/M
First year benchmark (or 30 credits):
  • CORE: Fundamental English and Math requirements
  • MAJOR: RUSS102

Year 2

Semester 3

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Non Lab – LS/PS/MS)
  • CORE (e.g. HA/HO)
  • CORE (e.g. SB)
  • CORE (e.g. SH)
  • RUSS 201

Semester 4

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE (e.g. Non Lab – LS/PS)
  • CORE (e.g. HA/D, HO/D)
  • CORE (e.g. SB/D)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • RUSS 202
Second year benchmark (or 60 credits):
  • CORE: 7 of 9 Distributive Studies courses;
  • ARHU: At least 50% of the foreign language sequence completed.
  • MAJOR: RUSS202

Year 3

Semester 5

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#1)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • RUSS 301
  • RUSS 3xx
  • RUSS 2xx-4xx or SLAV 4xx

Semester 6

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Professional Writing (ENGL 391/392/393/394/395)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • RUSS 302
  • RUSS 3xx-4xx or SLAV 4xx
Third year benchmark (or 90 credits):
  • CORE: Distributive Studies Completed.
  • ARHU: Intermediate level language requirement, 24 of the required 45 upper level credits (~50%). (Upper level courses needed to fulfill major requirements as well as upper level CORE requirements are included in the 45 upper level requirement).
  • MAJOR: RUSS302

Year 4

Semester 7

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • CORE Advanced Studies (#2)
  • Elective (1xx-4xx)
  • RUSS 401
  • RUSS 3xx (language or literature)
  • RUSS 2xx-4xx or SLAV 4xx

Semester 8

CORE/ARHU Requirements and Electives
Major Requirements
  • Elective (3xx-4xx)
  • RUSS 402
  • RUSS 4xx
  • RUSS 3xx-4xx or SLAV 4xx
  • RUSS 3xx-4xx or SLAV 4xx