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Russia has always played a central role in world economic, political and cultural developments. During the existence of the U.S.S.R., much of America’s foreign policy was dominated by what was taking place in Russia and the countries that fell within its sphere of influence. In those days American students often studied Russian to pursue careers that contributed to our national security. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has remained an influential power and has opened up commercially and culturally. There have never been more opportunities to use Russian. In an increasingly globalized world, the study of foreign languages and cultures provides students with essential skills: intercultural competences, bi- or multilingualism, a deeper understanding of their own language and culture, and as a result a growing ability to think critically about themselves and the world around them. The acquisition of communication skills in Russian and the knowledge of the culture and history of Russia and the Russian people, gives students valuable skills for government work, the commercial world, teaching, publishing and media as well as careers in trade, finance, economics and legal fields. |
In the Russian Language, Literature, and Culture major at Syracuse University we focus on language acquisition through both language and content-based classes, including courses in literature, culture, film, journalism, fairy tales and folklore as well as advanced languages classes in political and business Russian. As a result, our major provides a student with a broad and comprehensive study of the language, literature, and culture of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Because our program is small and all of the classes are taught by faculty, students who enroll in Russian at Syracuse University feel connected to a community, known and supported by their faculty and fellow students, and as a result tend to remain engaged in their classes. Every semester our students help prepare a Russian dinner and once a month they can attend a Russian tea with their faculty and fellow students of Russian. Moreover, every spring semester our students meet and compete with other NY State universities and colleges in a Russian language competition for 1st and 2nd-year students. Look below for a list of recent winners from SU’s participation in the Annual New York State Russian Competition.
For comments about the Russian program from current and recent students at SU, go to
Student Testimonials.
After completing two years of Russian language classes, students may study abroad at the Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. For more information and application
materials, go to http://www.bard.edu/iile/.
To check out additional study abroad opportunities for semester, year, and summer programs, that are not affiliated with SU, go to Intensive language programs: http://www.aatseel.org/intensive_language#russian.
Our federal government supports the study of Russian. In 2006 the Bush Administration announced a Critical Language Scholarship Program to promote the intensive study of critical need languages, which includes Russian. Scholarships are available for undergraduates, Master’s and Ph.D students and recent graduates to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs. For details and applications procedures, see http://www.clscholarship.org/home.php
Recent students have combined their Russian major with a second major in International Relations, History, Political Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or Architecture. Dual enrollment with the Newhouse School of Communications is another popular choice for our students, who may select a second major in Advertising, Photography, Journalism or Television-Radio-Film.
In addition to providing useful communication skills and knowledge of a fascinating culture, the study of Russian shows potential employers that a student is original, tenacious, and hard working.
Graduates of our program in recent years have gone on to pursue advanced graduate degrees in Russian, linguistics, and history. Others have pursued MBAs or law degrees.
Some of our Russian graduates have found work in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in D.C., Russia, and Eastern Europe. They have also found positions in publishing, teaching, law, travel agencies, advertising, the FBI, CIA, and the military.
For details about graduate study in Russian or Slavic languages and literatures, go to: http://www.aatseel.org/graduate_programs.
For a listing of current jobs in Russia or involving Russian, see: http://members.aatseel.org/jobs/job-index.asp
For more great reasons on why to study Russian, go to
http://www.russnet.org/why/index.html
Annual New York State Russian Competition:
Every year we take four of our best 1st-year Russian students to compete in a statewide Russian competition that tests speaking, reciting, reading, and grammar. In April 2008 we will travel to compete at Hobart William Smith College. This year we will begin a second-year competition as well. Joining us to compete there will be students and instructors from SUNY Binghamton, the U.S. Military Academy, Hamilton College, Union College and of course Hobart.
Recent Winners from Syracuse include . . .
-Sharon Rosa, First Place in 2006 at SUNY Binghamton;
-Rebecca Dreher, Third Place in 2005 at Hamilton College;
-Chris Sauchuk, Second Place and Erik Jeffries, Third Place in 2003 at Hobart;
Our Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in 2007 went to Eli Mekhlin, who graduated with a double major in Chemistry and Russian Language, Literature and Culture. Our heart-felt congratulations go out to Eli as he begins a new adventure studying law in D.C.
Russian Club:
Syracuse University has an active Russian Club that is open to all students interested in Russian language or culture. Recent events include films, lectures, and dinners. For further information and to join contact Alla Makagon at amakagon@syr.edu
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Major Requirements:
Students are admitted into the major through departmental approval and should consult the Russian language coordinator about their majors as early as possible so that they may be sure to satisfy prerequisites and requirements within four years.
To major in Russian, students complete the following requirements for either Option I or Option II.
Option I: The program requires 25 credits in RUS courses, 4 of which may be in lower-division (ie: RUS 202).
Option II: The program requires 28 credits, 16 of which are in RUS courses. (Of the 16 RUS credits, 4 may be in lower-division courses; the rest are in upper-division courses.) The remaining 12 credits (6 of which are in upper-division courses) will be in relevant courses approved by the Russian Program Coordinator or Advisor, taught in English in various departments.
All RUS courses are taught in Russian, except where noted. For the credits to count towards the Russian major or minor, students must sign up for the RUS version of all cross-listed RUS/LIT courses.
Minor Requirements:
To complete a minor in Russian, students take 18 credits in RUS courses, 6 of which may be in lower-division courses.
Russian and Central European Studies Major/Minor
For information, contact:
Professor Greenberg
RCES Coordinator, at ggreenbe@syr.edu.
Beginning and Intermediate Polish Language Courses
For information, Click Here or
contact
Professor Zofia Sztechmiler at: zoszte@netscape.net or contact
Professor Erika Haber at ehaber@syr.edu.
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