Panoramic view of Russia

Russian Major & Minor

Studying Russian 

Courses

Our program is distinguished by a variety of language and literature courses, such as:

  • Russian Film
  • Humor and Comedy in Russian Culture
  • Contemporary Russian Culture
  • Women in Russian Culture
  • Post-Soviet Russian Literature
  • Russian Theater
  • Courses on Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov
  • 19th- and 20th-century Literature
  • Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Russian
  • Advanced Conversation, Translation and Composition

Study Abroad

Although the war in Ukraine has led to the suspension of the UC Education Abroad Program in Moscow, students wishing to immerse themselves in a Russian-speaking environment still have several exciting options for both summer and academic-year programs. Through private organizations like the School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS), students may study abroad in Tbilisi or Batumi, Georgia; Yerevan, Armenia; or Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Units earned while studying abroad may count toward fulfillment of the Russian major or minor.    

Learning Outcomes

Russian Majors and Minors are expected to be proficient in the language and be familiar with the culture. 

  • Language. Students will demonstrate an ability to operate in Russian, i.e. communicate orally and in writing; an awareness of appropriateness of communication with respect to situation and register; and an ability to write a cogent essay according to appropriate disciplinary standards.
  • Culture. Students will demonstrate knowledge of cultural concepts and artifacts within a historical context; an awareness of cultural issues; and an ability to draw comparisons to other cultures.
  • Literature. Students will demonstrate analytic, interpretive, and critical thinking skills; knowledge of research protocols (e.g., proper citation); understanding of the specificity of the literary object as well as its historical cultural context; and a general familiarity with literary history.

Learning Outcome Rubric

Preparatory Subject Matter for the Major/Minor (0-27 units)

  • Elementary & Intermediate Russian: RUS 1 through 6 (or the equivalent)

Major Requirements (36 units total)

  • Russian 101A, 101B, 101C: (12 units)
  • Russian 102 or 103 or 105: (4 units)
  • Additional upper-division units chosen in consultation with adviser: (20 units)

Major Checklist (PDF)

Graduating with Honors

The Honors Program in the College of Letters and Science permits students to pursue a program of study in their major at a level significantly beyond that defined by the normal curriculum. It represents an opportunity for the qualified student to experience aspects of the major that are representative of advanced study in the field. Successful completion of the College Honors Program is a necessary prerequisite to consideration for the awarding of high or highest honors at graduation. For more information, contact Prof. Jenny Kaminer at jekaminer@ucdavis.edu.

Minor Requirements (20 units total)

  • Russian 101A, 101B, 101C: (12 units)
  • Other upper-division Russian courses: (8 units)
    There are courses taught in English on Russian subjects that can qualify for these upper-division units.

Minor Checklist (PDF)

Documents