Slavic Studies

SLAVIC STUDIES

(Barnard equivalent: Slavic and East European Literature and Culture, Slavic and East European Regional Studies*)

This flexible major track provides opportunities for interdisciplinary studies within the Slavic field. Students are encouraged to choose one target language (Czech, Polish, Russian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, or Ukrainian), though there are possibilities for studying a second Slavic language as well. Generally, the major has one disciplinary focus in history, political science, economics, religion, anthropology, sociology, art, film, or music. In addition, this program allows students to focus on a particular Slavic (non-Russian) literature and culture, or to do comparative studies of several Slavic literatures, including Russian. Students should plan their program with the director of undergraduate studies as early as possible, since course availability varies from year to year.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The program consists of 15 courses, 6 of which meet language requirements. Of the remaining 9 courses, 2 should be history courses targeting Russia, Eastern and Central Europe, or Eurasia, 2 should be literatures or culture courses in Slavic, and the other 5 should be relevant electives, chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.

Students may also opt to include a second Slavic language in their program, in which case they may count up to two language courses as electives toward their major requirements.
The course requirements are distributed as follows:

Course List

·     Six semesters of coursework in one Slavic language (from first- through third-year Russian, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Czech, Polish, or Ukrainian) or the equivalent.

·     Two relevant courses in Russian, East/Central European or Eurasian history.  

·     Two relevant literature or culture courses in Slavic, preferably related to the target language.      

·     Five additional courses with Slavic content in history, political science, economics, literature, religion, anthropology, sociology, art, film, or music, chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Two of these electives may be language courses for students who opt to include a second Slavic language in their program.   

Altogether students should complete four courses in a single discipline, including, if appropriate, the required history or literature/culture courses.

NOTES:

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities that now exist to spend a semester or summer studying in the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, or the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Consult the coordinator of the relevant language program for information about programs and other resources.