Welcome to the Russian program at Union College!
NEW: Photos from the Russian Olympiada from April 2011 have been posted on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61719425@N07/
The Russian program at Union College represents an exciting journey through the language, culture, literature and history of the vast and wondrous country known as Russia, as well as providing a bridge to the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Our courses in Russian language emphasize the ability to understand and interact with Russian-speaking people and function in a Russian-language environment, while integrating cultural elements, such as Russian songs and poetry with area studies, geography and history. Our courses offered in Russian include: Basic Russian, Intermediate Russian, and other courses taught in Russian, such as RUS 302: The Russian Short Story: Pathologies of the Everyday and RUS 330: The Forbidden: Eroticism, Passion and Death in Russian Culture. We also offer a number of courses in translation, which deal with topics in Slavic folklore, Russian film and literature. Among these are; MLT 260: The Vampire As Other in East European and American Culture, MLT 264: Illness and Its Representation: Madness, Disease and Death in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Russian Culture, and MLT 265: Russian and Soviet Film Revolutions.
All of this is complimented by field trips (both to the Russian section of New York City and to the Russian monastery in Jordanville, NY, located less than two hours from our campus), our weekly Russian Table, and the activities of our Russian and East European Culture Club.
Also, beginning in 2011, we will have a summer Mini-term in Russia, which will go to the cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Novgorod.
Requirements for a Major in Russian and East European Studies:
Fourteen courses including REE 498-499 and one REE seminar; one course above Russian 102; three courses on the history or culture of the country in question; and four appropriate courses from political science and economics. Up to two additional upper-level language courses may be counted toward the total number of required courses. Students must enter the major by the fall of their junior year, and course selections must be approved by the REE director (currently Prof. Berk of the History Department). Majors must have completed at least three courses in the department most directly related to their senior project and must pass a comprehensive examination in the form of an oral defense of their senior project.
Requirements for a Minor in Russian Language:
A minimum of 7 courses, starting at the 100-level, including one MLT course. If combined with participation in study abroad in Russia, students may complete a minor in Russian with 3 additional courses (making the total six courses).