Course description
Bucknell offers a major in Russian Studies and two minors: one in the Russian language and one in Russian Studies. "Russian Studies" means that, while the major is founded on language study, it includes all aspects of Russia--the history, literature, culture, folklore, music, film, news media, and women's studies. Majors are encouraged to take additional courses in Russian history, political science, foreign policy, and economy, taught by specialists in other departments. If taken as a double major with International Relations or some other major, it becomes an even broader course of study. Stop by and find out more about this special major from any member of the Russian Studies Program faculty.
A major in Russian Studies consists of Linguistics 105 or 110 plus seven courses in the Russian Studies Program. Five of these must be languages courses beyond the level of Russian 103, two must be courses taught in English. At least one of the seven courses must be in literature or history and one each in literature and history is recommended. A double major in Russian and International Relations is a popular combination which provides the graduate with a flexible base to continue in business, law, or graduate studies in Russian (Slavic languages or literatures), international relations, political science, economics, or other social science.
The Russian Studies Program offers two different minors: a minor in Russian language requires five courses in the Russian language beyond Russian 102. A Minor in Russian Studies requires five courses in the Program, two of which may be Russian language courses and one of which must be in literature or history.
Here is the menu of language study opportunities--in class and outside--provided by the Russian Program at Bucknell. If you are interested in applying for admission or transferring to Bucknell, try the links at the bottom of this page.
Russian Course Listings
Bucknell offers a wide range of courses, including five years of language study. However, the Bucknell Program is a 'Russian Studies' program, so it provides an array of courses on topics other than language: literature, theater, cinema, the news media, folklore, music, and culture.
Study Abroad Through Bucknell
Students majoring in Russian are strongly urged to deepen their knowledge of the language and country by studying in an approved summer or semester program in Russia. Bucknell approves four programs currently, two of which offer homestays and internships in addition to full-time language and culture study. About 85% of our majors study abroad, most for a semester in their junior year.
What can you do with Russian?
The excitement about the Russian language and culture found at Bucknell has attracted many of our graduates to live and work in Russia. The jobs are plentiful and offer the opportunity to do well and do good at the same time. Other Bucknell Russian majors have continued in law school, graduate school, and worked in government and business--one is even practicing medicine on Long Island. If you are interested in seeing the world while you work, a double major in Russian and international Relations prepares you for a job in an international company, law school, graduate school in politicsl science, economics, business, internatinal relations, Russian language and literature and a double major in Russian and biology prepares you for medical school.
Combining all the opportunities afforded by the Program, Bucknell Russian students not only develop fluency in Russian but a rich understanding of the people and their culture.
