The major in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (REEES) is an interdisciplinary program focusing on study of the current cultural and social context, and the literary, artistic, and historical aspects of Russian, East European and Eurasian cultures in the past and present. The aim of the language curriculum is to equip students to read, write, speak and understand Russian on a level allowing communication with fluent Russian speakers. Before registering for a language course other than RUSS 1010, students should consult with the undergraduate faculty advisor concerning appropriate placement.
Students interested in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies may consider a double major in order to increase their career opportunities. Prospective teachers might combine REEES with a major in another foreign language, while those preparing for a career in government, business or social services may benefit from a combination of REEES and a social science or business major. Students structure their curriculum according to the departmental checklist for majors, in close consultation with a departmental advisor.
Study Abroad
The department strongly recommends that all Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies majors take part in an intensive language program, summer or semester long, in Russian-speaking countries or in the U.S.. For more information on CU Study Abroad programs, visit the Education Abroad website.
Courses Taught in English
Many of our content courses are offered in translation. These courses generally require no previous study in the language, history or culture of the area involved, and are open to all interested students, regardless of major.
Requirements
General Requirements
Students must complete at least 30 credit hours in Russian studies, at least 18 of which must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level, with grades of C- or better (none may be taken as pass/fail).
- RUSS 1010 and RUSS 1020 do not count toward the 30 credit hours required for the major in Russian studies.
- Students may not receive credit for both RUSS 3060 and RUSS 4010 or RUSS 4020 and RUSS 4060. Choose either the RUSS 3060/RUSS 4060 sequence or the RUSS 4010/RUSS 4020 sequence.
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Beginning or middle-level language course requirements may be met by transfer credit or by testing out of the course. Students who enter the program at the third-year level must complete at least 18 credit hours in residence in courses numbered 3000 or above with grades of C- or better (none may be taken pass/fail).
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Students who enter at and enroll in Russian language courses at the 3000- or 4000-level may not receive credit for lower-division Russian language courses, unless lower-division language coursework was completed prior to registration for 3000- and 4000-level Russian language courses.
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No course can be used for more than one category.
Students are required to structure their curriculum for the major in close consultation with the departmental advisor. Students with advanced Russian language skills are strongly encouraged to meet with the undergraduate faculty advisor to discuss language placement. Students who have Russian language transfer credit and/or students who are Russian language native or heritage speakers may enter the program at the upper-division level, up to RUSS 4010, with faculty permission.
In the case of advanced language placement, students will be required to meet with the Russian faculty advisor for Russian course substitutions and recommendations. Students who place out of Russian language courses required for the major must replace the credits with additional coursework in Russian Studies. Any substitutions to major coursework must be preapproved by the Russian faculty advisor.
Graduating Russian studies majors are asked to participate in an annual assessment exercise during their last (spring) semester at the university to help evaluate the quality of the Russian Studies major. Students may also be interested in learning their level of language competence from the standardized online test. Students cannot study for the exams, and they do not affect course grades or graduation in any way.
NOTE: Study abroad is recommended after the second year of language study.
Program Tracks
Track A: Russian Language and Culture
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Russian Language Courses | ||
| RUSS 2010 | Second-Year Russian 1 | 4 |
| RUSS 2020 | Second-Year Russian 2 | 4 |
| RUSS 3010 | Third-Year Russian 1 | 4 |
| RUSS 3020 | Third-Year Russian 2 | 4 |
| Russian Literature/Culture Course - the 19th Century and Earlier | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Topics in Russian and Slavic Culture 2 | ||
| Russian Culture and Art Under Tsars Great and Terrible | ||
| Madness and Gambling: Russian Short Stories of Life on the Edge | ||
| Energy Cultures: Oil, Coal, and Atoms in Modern Literature and Film | ||
| Women in Russian Culture: From Folklore to the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Russian Culture Past and Present | ||
| Slavic Folk Culture: Ideals and Values in the Contemporary World | ||
| Crimes of Passion: Gender and Sexual Politics in Tolstoy's Russia | ||
| American-Russian Cultural Relations | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Chekhov | ||
| Rogues to Revolutionaries: Russian Rebels, Past and Present | ||
| Seeds of Revolt: 19th-Century Russian Literature | ||
| Absurd and Supernatural in Russian Literature | ||
| Russian Literature/Culture Course - the 20th and 21st Centuries | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Topics in Russian and Slavic Culture 2 | ||
| Introduction to Modern Russian Culture | ||
| Madness and Gambling: Russian Short Stories of Life on the Edge | ||
| Energy Cultures: Oil, Coal, and Atoms in Modern Literature and Film | ||
| Russia Beyond the Headlines: Media, Politics, Culture, and Environment | ||
| Red Star Trek: Russian Science Fiction Between Utopia and Dystopia | ||
| Arctic Thrillers: Environment, Landscape and Literature of the Far North | ||
| Russia Today through Film and TV | ||
| Spies Like Us: Espionage in the Culture of the Cold War and Beyond | ||
| Russian Culture Past and Present | ||
| Russia after Communism: Post-Soviet Politics and Culture | ||
| Topics in Russian Culture 2 | ||
RUSS 4211 | ||
| Stalinism: Culture and Society | ||
| Russian Queer Culture | ||
| Mythological Russia | ||
| Women in 20th-21st Century Russian Culture | ||
| Rogues to Revolutionaries: Russian Rebels, Past and Present | ||
| 20th-Century Russian Literature and Art | ||
| Contemporary Russian Literature | ||
| Absurd and Supernatural in Russian Literature | ||
| Advanced Language Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 1) 1 | ||
or RUSS 4010 | Advanced Conversation and Composition 1 | |
| Advanced Conversation and Composition 2 1 | ||
or RUSS 4060 | Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 2) | |
| Upper-Division Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Russian | ||
| Russian Cultural Idioms | ||
| Open Topics: Russian Culture in Russian | ||
| Russian Film and Society (taught in Russian) | ||
6 credit hours of upper-division study-abroad Russian language class | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
| 1 | Students may not receive credit for both RUSS 3060 and RUSS 4010 or RUSS 4020 and RUSS 4060. Choose either the RUSS 3060/RUSS 4060 sequence or the RUSS 4010/RUSS 4020 sequence. |
| 2 | Consult with the Russian department advisor to determine to which category the current topic applies. |
Track B: Russian Culture and Literature
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RUSS 2010 | Second-Year Russian 1 | 4 |
| RUSS 2020 | Second-Year Russian 2 | 4 |
| RUSS 4811 | Seeds of Revolt: 19th-Century Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4821 | 20th-Century Russian Literature and Art | 3 |
| Aspects of Russian/Soviet/Post-Soviet Culture | ||
| Select two of the following (one must be upper-division): | 6 | |
| Astronauts & Astropolitics: Space Exploration from the Cold War to the Future of Innovation | ||
| Topics in Russian and Slavic Culture 2 | ||
| Russian Culture and Art Under Tsars Great and Terrible | ||
| Introduction to Modern Russian Culture | ||
| Sports and the Cold War | ||
| Energy Cultures: Oil, Coal, and Atoms in Modern Literature and Film | ||
| Russia Beyond the Headlines: Media, Politics, Culture, and Environment | ||
| Space Race in Russian and American Culture | ||
| Spies Like Us: Espionage in the Culture of the Cold War and Beyond | ||
| Russian Culture Past and Present | ||
| Slavic Folk Culture: Ideals and Values in the Contemporary World | ||
| Russia after Communism: Post-Soviet Politics and Culture | ||
| Topics in Russian Culture 2 | ||
| Stalinism: Culture and Society | ||
| American-Russian Cultural Relations | ||
| Mythological Russia | ||
| 2000-Level Literature/Film Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fairy Tales of Russia | ||
| Death and the Undead in Slavic and Nordic Cultures | ||
| Madness and Gambling: Russian Short Stories of Life on the Edge | ||
| Women in Russian Culture: From Folklore to the Nineteenth Century | ||
| 3000/4000-Level Literature/Film Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Red Star Trek: Russian Science Fiction Between Utopia and Dystopia | ||
| Arctic Thrillers: Environment, Landscape and Literature of the Far North | ||
| Russia Today through Film and TV | ||
| Crimes of Passion: Gender and Sexual Politics in Tolstoy's Russia | ||
RUSS 4211 | ||
| Russian Queer Culture | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Chekhov | ||
| Women in 20th-21st Century Russian Culture | ||
| Contemporary Russian Literature | ||
| Rogues to Revolutionaries: Russian Rebels, Past and Present | ||
| Absurd and Supernatural in Russian Literature | ||
| Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Any one 3000- or 4000-level RUSS or GSLL culture/literature or language course, or a course in another department pertaining to Russia, upon consent of advisor. | ||
Upper-division study-abroad language class. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Track C: Russian Major for Heritage Speakers
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RUSS 3060 | Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 1) 1 | 4 |
| RUSS 4060 | Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 2) (or any other upper-division Russian language course ) 1 | 4 |
| or RUSS 4010 | Advanced Conversation and Composition 1 | |
| or RUSS 4020 | Advanced Conversation and Composition 2 | |
| or RUSS 4050 | Professional Russian | |
| or RUSS 4210 | Topics in Russian Culture | |
| or RUSS 4230 | Russian Cultural Idioms | |
| or RUSS 4850 | Russian Film and Society (taught in Russian) | |
| Russian Literature/Culture Course - the 19th Century and Earlier | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Russian Culture and Art Under Tsars Great and Terrible | ||
| Russian Culture Past and Present 2 | ||
| Seeds of Revolt: 19th-Century Russian Literature | ||
| Russian Literature/Culture Course - the 20th and 21st Centuries | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Modern Russian Culture | ||
| Russian Culture Past and Present 2 | ||
| 20th-Century Russian Literature and Art | ||
| RUSS 2000-level course | 3 | |
| Topics in Russian and Slavic Culture 2 | ||
| Sports and the Cold War | ||
| Fairy Tales of Russia | ||
| Death and the Undead in Slavic and Nordic Cultures | ||
| Energy Cultures: Oil, Coal, and Atoms in Modern Literature and Film | ||
| Women in Russian Culture: From Folklore to the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Russia Beyond the Headlines: Media, Politics, Culture, and Environment | ||
| Russian Culture | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Red Star Trek: Russian Science Fiction Between Utopia and Dystopia | ||
| Arctic Thrillers: Environment, Landscape and Literature of the Far North | ||
| Russia Today through Film and TV | ||
| Spies Like Us: Espionage in the Culture of the Cold War and Beyond | ||
| Slavic Folk Culture: Ideals and Values in the Contemporary World | ||
RUSS 4211 | ||
| Stalinism: Culture and Society | ||
| American-Russian Cultural Relations | ||
| Mythological Russia | ||
| Women in 20th-21st Century Russian Culture | ||
| Rogues to Revolutionaries: Russian Rebels, Past and Present | ||
| Contemporary Russian Literature | ||
| Russian Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Crimes of Passion: Gender and Sexual Politics in Tolstoy's Russia | ||
| Russia after Communism: Post-Soviet Politics and Culture | ||
| Russian Queer Culture | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Chekhov | ||
| Absurd and Supernatural in Russian Literature | ||
| Elective | ||
| One other 3000- to 4000-level RUSS or GSLL culture/literature or language course, or a course in another department pertaining to Russia, upon consent of advisor. | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
| 1 | Students may not receive credit for both RUSS 3060 and RUSS 4010 or RUSS 4020 and RUSS 4060. Choose either the RUSS 3060/RUSS 4060 sequence or the RUSS 4010/RUSS 4020 sequence. |
Graduating in Four Years
Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major.
Recommended four-year plans of study appear on the Four-Year Plans tab. To maintain adequate progress in Germanic or Russian studies, students should meet the following requirements:
- Begin to study the language in the freshman year, or have received AP credit.
- In consultation with the major program advisor before the end of the drop/add period in the first semester, plan a tentative schedule of courses to be taken over eight semesters.
- Discuss progress toward the degree each semester with the major advisor.
NOTE: Although these requirements apply only in cases in which students are seeking to graduate under the terms of the four-year guarantee, they are good advice for all majors. Consult the program advisor about the major at any time.
Recommended Four-Year Plans of Study
Through the required coursework for all tracks of the major, students can complete all 12 credit hours of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement. Depending on the courses selected from options, students can potentially complete some credit hours in the Social Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement and the Global Perspective component of the Gen Ed Diversity Requirement.
Track A: Russian Language and Culture
| Year One | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RUSS 1010 and 1020 (which do not count toward the major) | 8 | |
| RUSS course on 19th century or earlier periods | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with lab) | 4 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 33 | |
| Year Two | ||
| RUSS 2010 & RUSS 2020 | Second-Year Russian 1 and Second-Year Russian 2 (or Study Abroad) | 8 |
| RUSS course on 20th-21st centuries | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 29 | |
| Year Three | ||
| RUSS 3010 & RUSS 3020 | Third-Year Russian 1 and Third-Year Russian 2 (or Study Abroad) | 8 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 29 | |
| Year Four | ||
| RUSS 4010 & RUSS 4020 | Advanced Conversation and Composition 1 ( (or Study Abroad) ) or Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 1) and Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 2) | 8 |
| RUSS 4210 | Topics in Russian Culture or Russian Cultural Idioms or Critical Thinking: Russian Film and Society (taught in English) or Professional Russian | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 29 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Track B: Russian Culture and Literature
| Year One | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RUSS 1010 and RUSS 1020 (which do not count toward the major) | 8 | |
| RUSS 2000-level Aspects of Russian/Soviet/Post-Soviet Culture course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 4 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Two | ||
| RUSS 2010 & RUSS 2020 | Second-Year Russian 1 and Second-Year Russian 2 (or Study Abroad) | 8 |
| RUSS 2000-level Russian literature or film course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Three | ||
| RUSS 4811 | Seeds of Revolt: 19th-Century Russian Literature | 3 |
| RUSS 4821 | 20th-Century Russian Literature and Art | 3 |
| RUSS Upper-division Aspects of Russian/Soviet/Post-Soviet Culture course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Two 3000-4000 level RUSS literature or film courses | 6 | |
| Elective 3000-4000 level RUSS or GSLL culture, literature or language course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Track C: Russian Major for Heritage Speakers
| Year One | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RUSS 3060 & RUSS 4060 | Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 1) and Advanced Russian for Heritage Speakers (Part 2) | 8 |
| One of the RUSS courses on 19th century or earlier periods OR Study Abroad | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Two | ||
| One of the RUSS courses on 20th-21st centuries | 3 | |
| One of the 2000-level RUSS culture courses | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Three | ||
| One 4000 level RUSS literature course | 3 | |
| Two 3000-4000 level RUSS culture courses | 6 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Year Four | ||
| One 3000-4000 level RUSS culture course | 3 | |
| One elective 3000-4000 level RUSS or GSLL culture, literature or language course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) (if needed) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Elective or Upper-division Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
The following objectives are central to the undergraduate degree in Russian studies:
- To understand, articulate and critically reflect on key concepts, events and movements as they relate to the study of Russian literature, history and culture.
- To cultivate historical understanding and intercultural competency.
- To recognize, describe, and engage critically and comparatively with diverse perspectives and positionalities within Russophone societies.
- To conduct research and engage in critical analysis of the area of study.
- To develop proficiency in Russian language skills, written or spoken, to enable culturally appropriate communication, self-expression and creativity.
Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)
The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).
Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.
BA and MA in Russian Studies
Highly motivated undergraduates majoring in Russian studies at CU Boulder have the opportunity to enter a BAM program, thereby earning both the BA and the MA in five years. The accelerated degree program offers a unique academic credential designed to produce skilled graduates for a variety of occupations.
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Russian Studies courses.
- Have completed a minimum of 75 credit hours of coursework.
- If a transfer student, have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at CU Boulder.
It is recommended that applications be submitted the spring semester of the third year of study, but late applications will also be considered. Two letters of recommendation indicating strong potential for advanced, intensive work in Russian also required. Students should have completed most of their MAPS/Gen Ed requirements by the end of the sophomore year. Only CU Boulder students may apply.
Program Requirements
Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program, which can later be used toward the master's degree. However, only 6 credits may be double counted toward the bachelor's degree and the master's degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor's degree, and apply to continue with the master's degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
BAM students are expected to take graduate courses in the fourth and fifth years only.
If you are interested in the BAM degree program, please contact the Russian MA program. For more information, visit the BA/MA degree in Russian studies webpage.