Best Russian Majors and Programs at Small Liberal Arts Schools TKG

Best Russian Majors and Programs at Small Liberal Arts Schools   A strong Russian program equips students with an understanding of the history, culture, language, art, and literature of Russia. In order to understand and examine the region from a global perspective, Russian programs are often inclusive of material about Eastern Europe and the relationship between Russia, the United States, and the rest of the world. Students who major in Russian often go on to work in the fields of government, education, law, research and cultural analysis, and diplomacy and public service. We originally set out to find a broader major: Slavic Studies. After doing research, we found that Russian is a more common major (with stronger offerings) but we did include majors such as Russian and East European Studies; and Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies in our list. Middlebury:Middlebury offers a major in Russian and East European Studies. The program puts a heavy emphasis on cultural competence and proficiency in the Russian language. Additionally, there is the Middlebury School in Russia where you can choose from three sites: Yaroslavl, Irkutsk, or Moscow. Students spend either a year or a semester at one of the locations, enrolling in classes with native Russian speakers and partaking in various internship opportunities. It is worth noting that many small liberal arts schools direct students who want to study abroad to Middlebury’s School in Russia, and it is highly regarded among students as well.    Colby:Colby is a very small school, but the Russian program is robust. The Russian language and culture major is centered, obviously, around language and culture. It requires four years of language study, two semesters of Russian history, and two semesters of Russian literature and film. What makes Colby stand out is the Colby in St. Petersburg program, which was established in 1992. Five students per semester go to St. Petersburg to study in small group or individual settings and take 12 hours of Russian language classes a week, 3 hours of Russian literature classes a week, and 3 hours of Russian history a week. Successful completion of the program earns students 16 credits at Colby. It’s an intense program that requires in-class participation and discussion, but Colby students say that the program is truly immersive and beneficial.  Colgate: The Russian and Eurasian Studies major at Colgate requires at least two years of language studies, and students are encouraged to spend one semester in Russia. What stands out about Colgate are the course offerings that include classes on art history, anthropology, Jewish studies, environmental studies, and more. At Colgate, most students majoring in Russian and Eurasian Studies combine that with a second major or minor, most commonly in history, political science, and international relations. You’ll also find the Khaldei Photography Collection at Colgate. Yevgeny Khaldei is a famous photographer who spent years in the Soviet Union and later held the first exhibitio n of his work in the United States at Colgate. He eventually donated his work to the university, where it remains. If you’re interested in doing research abroad in Russia, funding opportunities exist for students to apply to. Wesleyan:Wesleyan offers both a major and minor in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. There are two concentrations within the major: Language, Literature, and Culture; and Social Sciences. The Language, Literature, and Culture concentration requires three years of Russian language, while the Social Sciences concentration requires two. There are a lot of unique courses in the curriculum, including “Queer Russia” and “Otherness and Belonging.” The Russian House is a center for students who would like to learn more about Russian and Eastern European culture, and the focus of the center changes early because it is run by students. Past topics include language, culture, and food â€" and you pitch your own ideas at their meetings. Pomona: The Rus sian Eastern European Studies major at Pomona takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying both the Russian language, and the people, politics, cultures, and histories of Russia and Eastern Europe. Students can take courses across the Claremont Colleges, and seniors write a thesis that is essentially a research project created by examining Russian primary sources. Students are also strongly encouraged to study abroad during their junior year, and can apply for the Utilin Travel Grant, which provides up to $2,000 to subsidize the trip to Russia. There is also the Oldenberg Language Center, which is a language residence hall and international cultural center. The center has Russian language tables, intermediate and advanced conversation classes, and cultural events and meetings.  Trinity:Trinity is located in Hartford, Connecticut, a city that is rich with Russian culture. You can visit a Russian Orthodox church, a Russian market, and a family-run grocery store all within three m iles of campus. Some Trinity students have said that members of the Russian community are happy to practice the language with them! Russian majors are split up into two groups: Plan A and Plan B, and you can read more about the specific requirements here. The team of faculty is small, but collectively their areas of expertise cover women’s culture, literature, film, the Russian economy, the history of Russia and Eastern Europe, art, theater, and linguistics.  Mount Holyoke: Mount Holyoke offers two majors: Russian and Eurasian studies and Russian literature and culture. Like most of the schools on our list, studying abroad is strongly encouraged. Students also have the option to create their own summer internship or research project, and it’s possible to apply for funding. The McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives and the career development center are resources for students who plan to study abroad and apply for jobs and internship. Williams: The Russian program at Williams i s centered around language, literature, and culture. There’s a full stack of Russian language classes, literature classes on Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and courses on film, politics, and history. Williams also has an impressive number of ways for students to familiarize themselves with Russian culture outside of the traditional classroom. There is a winter study period in Georgia where students do an internship, Russian potluck dinners, Russian talent night, and Russian speakers and scholars come to campus once a week to discuss relevant topics.  If you need help finding the best school for you, contact us here.