THE RUSSIAN MAJOR: COURSE
SELECTION
I.
Prerequisites.
RussL 209 or RussL 212.
209 - Introduces students who have completed a basic
course in Russian language to reading Russian literature in the original
language.
212 - Introduces students with some native skills in
Russian language to reading Russian literary texts in the original language.
RussA 203-204.
Intermediate Composition and
Conversation. Emphasizes
the development of accurate and idiomatic expression in the language. (Courses taken in study-abroad programs can
sometimes substitute for these courses, with the approval of the Director of
the Russian Language Program, Slava Paperno.)
II.
The Major Requirements.
A.
RussA 303-304.
Advanced Composition and
Conversation. (Students may receive credit,
usually for one semester of work, for courses taken in study abroad
programs. Such credit can only be
received with the approval of the Director of the Russian Language
Program. Native speakers of Russian may
be allowed to substitute RUSSA 401-402 or 403-404.)
B.
The Academic Core.
In addition Russian majors must take 18 credits of work in courses chosen from the two academic disciplines that comprise the field, Slavic linguistics and Russian literature. These must be at the 300 or 400 level.
The
academic courses are distributed as follows:
1.
12 hours of courses in Russian literature in the original. These are courses in which the texts are read
in Russian. In some courses papers may
be written in Russian or some discussions may be conducted in Russian. It is not obligatory to have writing and
discussion in Russian to receive credit for this requirement. Among courses currently offered that may be
used to satisfy this requirement are: RussL 331
Introduction to Russian Poetry; RussL 334 The Russian
Short Story; RussL 431 Contemporary Prose; RussL 432 Pushkin; RussL 499 The Avant-garde in Russian Literature and the
Arts; RussL 493 Anton Chekhov.
Note that courses are offered in rotation to give
students a wider choice. Not every course will be available every year. (Courses taken abroad in programs like CIEE
and ACTR generally cannot be substituted for the 12 hours of literature in
Russian.)
2.
6 hours of credits in other academic courses: These courses may be drawn from Russian
literature and Slavic linguistics courses at the 300 and 400 level. Among the courses eligible for credit are:
Linguistics: RussA 401
and/or RussA 402 History of the Russian Language; RussA 403 and/or 404 Structure of the Russian
Language. (Qualified students may count
some graduate courses in linguistics as part of the major. Among the eligible courses are: RussA 601, Old
Church Slavonic; RussA 602, Old Russian Texts. These are open to qualified
undergraduates. Check with Wayles Browne.)
Literature: RussL 367 The
Russian Novel; RussL 335 Gogol;
RUSSL 350 Education and the Philosophical Fantasies; RussL
373 Chekhov in the Context of Contemporary European Literature and Art; RussL 369 Dostoevsky; RussL 385
Reading Nabokov and other similar courses.
III.
Advanced courses in Russian language study.
In addition to the courses above, it is recommended
that students continue their study of Russian at the advanced level. Consult
IV.
Honors work.
RussL 393, taken for 8 credit
hours in two semesters. Students who
have a 3.5 average in 300 and 400 level courses in the major may do honors
work. Honors work consists of two semesters
of work, one devoted to reading of Russian texts and background materials, one
devoted to drafting and revising a substantial essay. One semester of credit may be counted towards
the 12 hours of Russian literature in the original language.
Note: Students who are considering continuing work
in Russian literature, Slavic linguistics, or Russian history at the graduate
level would do well to take more courses than minimally required for the
major. A well-rounded preparation is an
asset in graduate admissions and forms a solid foundation for graduate
work. Students will find courses in the
following categories useful:
Additional courses in
Russian literature (in translation and in the Russian language) to get broad
coverage.
Other Slavic languages:
Polish, Serbo-Croatian or
Czech, as taught at Cornell or other
General linguistics courses which prepare the
student for work in Slavic linguistics:
Ling.
101, 201, 203, 301-302, 303-304, 309-310.
Work in other languages than Slavic languages:
Many
graduate programs require a reading knowledge of French and/or German.