Russian

Students who major in Russian graduate with a solid working knowledge of the language and a thorough understanding of Russian culture and everyday life.

Overview

Given a range of options for completing the 35-credit requirement, students can tailor their program of study to fit their personal and career goals — be it reading Tolstoy in the original or tapping into one of the hottest emerging global markets. Majors also receive priority placement in our popular study-abroad programs in Moscow.

Completed alone or in combination with a second major, studying Russian prepares students for a variety of careers, including law, government, international relations, business, education and graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences. Beyond this, it equips students with analytical skills essential for performing effectively in today's multicultural world.

Small class sizes and an outstanding professional teaching staff ensure that students have every opportunity to learn and excel.

Students who intend to major or minor in Russian should consult the undergraduate coordinator for Russian studies as soon as possible.

Coursework for the Major

A student majoring in Russian needs a minimum of 35 credit hours of Russian beyond the 1000 level with minimum grades of C. The foundation courses for the major include the beginning Russian language sequence (RUS 1130, 1131). Majors should consult the undergraduate coordinator each semester.

Required Coursework

• RUS 2220 Intermediate Russian 1 (4 credits)
• A maximum of 9 additional credits in RUT 3000/4000-level courses. (Students who, upon entering the program, place out of RUS 2220 Intermediate Russian 1 and RUS 3400 Intermediate Russian 2 without equivalent transfer credits, may apply toward the major up to 15 credits in RUT 3000/4000-level courses.)
• RUS 4501 Russian Studies Research Seminar (3 credits) must be taken before the eighth semester.
• The remaining credits must be from 3000/4000-level RUS/RUW courses.
• No more than three credits can be earned in RUS 4905 Individual Work.
• Up to 15 3000/4000-level credits can be transferred from another institution.

Students must achieve an acceptable score on the Russian proficiency test, or the equivalent, at the end of the third year of language study. Students can meet this requirement by completing two semesters (six credits) of RUS 4930 Special Topics in Russian, when that course is devoted specifically to Russian grammar.

Students must also achieve satisfactory faculty evaluation of a self-selected term paper written for an upper-division course or senior thesis. Students can fulfill this requirement by means of the term paper required for RUS 4501 Russian Studies Research Seminar.

Overseas Study

Students are encouraged to consider the UF summer program in Russian language and culture at Moscow State University in Russia.

Research

Writing a thesis is encouraged but not required.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

Semester 3

• Complete RUS 1130 or higher-level Russian coursework

Semester 4

• Complete RUS 1131 or maintain higher-level Russian coursework with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5:

• Complete RUS 2220 or any 2000-level Russian course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically GE-C, H or S).