Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Literature
Explore global cultures, change the world.
THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE offers students a deep exploration of the language, history and cultures of contemporary Russian- speaking societies. Students are able to fully immerse themselves in Russian culture, language and a close-knit community. Through language acquisition, cultural investigation and professional growth, graduates become well-rounded global citizens prepared for a variety of careers.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLC) at the University of Maryland integrates language learning with in-depth literary and applied linguistics studies. SLLC students explore cultural landscapes in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention.
COURSEWORK
Russian coursework prepares students for careers that require an understanding of Russian language and culture. The integrated curriculum aims to help students achieve a high level of proficiency in Russian. Additionally, majors demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the cultures of the Russian Federation as well as Russian-speaking communities throughout the world, including literature, history, art, cuisine, traditions and more.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The Maya Brin Residency Program brings leading Russian scholars, artists and cultural figures to campus for in-depth engagement with students. The Maya Brin Scholarship for Cultural Competency offers support for pursuing advanced proficiency in Russia
Language House students live in a multicultural community of 11 language clusters where they develop language fluency and cultural appreciation. Led by native-speaking mentors, residents engage in hands on, immersive activities that prepare them for future global engagement.
The Language Partner Program provides students with structured one-on-one weekly interactions with an international student to develop conversation skills, deeper linguistic understanding and cross-cultural awareness.
Career Readiness
The College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) offers courses designed to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce, along with integrated and individualized academic and career advising. Additionally, SLLC offers an annual Language Career and Internship Fair, connecting students to a robust list of employers. Alumni continue on to graduate school or forge their careers in a variety of industries and fields. The creative ways to apply your ARHU degree are truly limitless! Here are some placements specific to Russian majors:
Internship Placements
- Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security
- Columbia University
- National Institutes of Health
- U.S. Department of State
Graduate School Placements
- Georgetown University
- Harvard University
- McGill University
- University of Maryland
Employer Placements
- Kapsuun Group LLC
- Loyal Source Government Services
- Marsden-Seledee LLC (law firm)
- MITRE Corporation
- U.S. Navy
Requirements for the Major
Prerequisite Courses
Language-acquisition courses (RUSS101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302) must be taken sequentially. Once credit has been received in a higher-level language acquisition or grammar course, a lower-level course may not be taken for credit.
- RUSS101 and 102, or
- RUSS111, 112, 113, 114, or
- Equivalent preparatory coursework (determined by faculty)
Russian Courses
- RUSS201: Intermediate Russian I (5 credits)
- RUSS202: Intermediate Russian II (5 credits)
- RUSS301: Advanced Russian I (3 credits)
- RUSS302: Advanced Russian II (3 credits)
- RUSS3XX: One additional course at the 300 level (3 credits)
- RUSS401: Advanced Russian Composition (3 credits)
- RUSS402: Practicum in Written Russian (3 credits)
- RUSS4XX: One additional course at the 400 level (3 credits)
Elective Courses
- RUSS3XX: One course at the 300 level (3 credits)
- RUSS4XX: One course at the 400 level (3 credits)
- RUSSXXX: Any other course from departmental offerings (3 credits)
- RUSSXXX: Any other course from departmental offerings (3 credits)
Amplifying Course Information
- One supporting course from outside the major (300-level or higher) may be counted toward the elective course requirement if it is approved by a departmental advisor.
- Slavic courses may be used to satisfy elective course requirements.
- Transfer credits from study abroad or another U.S. institution may count toward the major with departmental approval.
- Students who are interested in enrolling in a Russian course that appears closed or waitlisted should contact either the faculty member or an undergraduate advisor for Russian for permission to enroll.
General Information
- Native or heritage speakers wishing to enroll in Russian courses or seeking to major in Russian should first consult with an undergraduate advisor.
- A majority of students participate in study abroad programs.
- Russian majors are eligible to live in Language House Living and Learning Program.
- Many students pursue a double-major or double-degree in Russian and another discipline, such as international relations, business, history, economics, journalism, engineering, etc.
Russian Program Director and Advisor
Cynthia Martin
Associate Professor, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Associate Professor and Department Head, Russian
BOLDLY HUMAN FEARLESSLY CREATIVE
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
When you join the University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU), you become part of a supportive and inclusive community committed to solving the world’s grand challenges. ARHU is reimagining an education in the arts and humanities by empowering students to make sense of the world using empathy, creativity and intellectual rigor. Our faculty and staff experts are focused on preparing competitive, versatile and visionary leaders equipped to address the complexities of the human experience. Graduates are purposefully prepared for successful careers and fulfilling lives.