Russian Studies, BA

Location(s): Main Campus

The Russian studies program offers a broad range of instruction that combines language training with courses that provide exposure to Russian literature and culture. Language instruction stresses the basic skills - comprehension, speaking, reading and writing - to develop competency in two semesters while providing a solid foundation for advanced studies. Russia’s literature and culture are introduced in a permanent sequence of lower- and upper-level courses. Students pursuing the major choose from two tracks: Literacy and Culture Studies and Area Studies.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Language Placement Prerequisites

All students entering the program with advanced language proficiency will take a placement exam.

Track 1: Literary and Cultural Studies Course Requirements

Students must complete 40 credits for the major, as follows:

Linguistic proficiency (one of the following) (12 credits):
- Up to RUSS 306 or the equivalent for non-heritage learners
- Up to RUSS 212 or the equivalent for heritage learners
RUSS 110 Russian Culture and Civilization (4 credits)
RUSS 210 Introduction to Russian Literature (4 credits)
Russian Cultural Studies Electives (20 credits)

Track 2: Area Studies Course Requirements

Students must complete 40 credits for the major, as follows:

Linguistic proficiency (one of the following):
- Up to RUSS 306 or the equivalent for non-heritage learners
- Up to RUSS 212 or the equivalent for heritage learners
RUSS 110 Russian Culture and Civilization (4 credits)
RUSS 210 Introduction to Russian Literature and/or HIST 225 Imperial Russia (4 credits)
At least one course in each of the following areas (20 credits total):
- Russian Literary and Cultural Studies
- Russian, Eurasian and East European History
- Russian, Eurasian and East European Political Science

Additional Information About the Program

The Russian Studies major requires a minimum grade of C for a course to count toward the major.

The major requires a minimum of 24 upper-division credits.

Credit towards the major is given only for RUSS language courses above the 100-level. A maximum of 16 credits for non-heritage speakers, and maximum of 8 credits for heritage speakers, can be granted for RUSS language courses.

A maximum of four credits of independent study or RUSS 491/492 will count towards major requirements.

NOTE: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

Residency Requirement: A minimum of 24 credits for the major must be taken at Binghamton University.

For more information on the Russian Studies BA program, please refer to the German and Russian Studies website. To apply to the Russian BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.