Study Abroad in St. Petersburg: Courses

Students are required to take one Russian language course at the appropriate level and one or more of the following courses. There is a maximum of 10 students per language class, while a minimum of 10 students is required to confirm a non-language course.

Recommended semester credits are given in parentheses. Each semester covers one language level.

Scheduling conflicts may arise. The University Dean and Resident Director reserve the right to cancel or modify courses in unavoidable circumstances or for insufficient enrollment (less than 10 students).

Russian language courses | Elective Classes |Courses in Russian

Russian language courses

Russian 101 fall/spring (9)
Elementary I
Russian 102 fall/spring (9)
Elementary II
Beginning college level course in Russian grammar, conversation, phonetics and writing practice.

Russian 201 fall/spring (9)
Intermediate I
Russian 202 fall/spring (9)
Intermediate II
Russian 203 fall/spring (9)
Intermediate III
Vocabulary, grammar, composition, phonetics and techniques of written expression with further development of vocabulary and pronunciation.

Russian 301 fall/spring (9)
Advanced I
Russian 302 fall/spring (9)
Advanced II
Structural exercises in grammar, use of different categories of language (commercial, administrative, journalistic, familiar, colloquial, formal) and extensive written work.

Russian 401 fall/spring (9)
Superior I
Russian 402 fall/spring (9)
Superior II
Perfecting techniques already learned and acquiring more sophisticated written and spoken styles.

Russian 211 fall/spring (3)
Russian Business Terminology and Current Business Trends
Russian business terminology (two hours in class plus one hour of outside work). Business language plus an introduction to the Russian economy and review of current business and economic events and trends. Taught in Russian. Prerequisite: Students must have completed at least Russian 201.

Elective Classes

Taught in English, these courses meet throughout the semester (total of 42 hours for the semester).

Art History 303 fall/spring (3)
History of Russian Art
Works of the most famous painters of icons and of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the works discussed are visited in local museums such as the Hermitage and the Russian Museum.

History 305 fall/spring (3)
Russian History from Kievan Rus to the Revolution
The founding and expansion of the Russian state from Kievan Rus through czarist Russia to the eve of the revolution. Students visit sites in St. Petersburg where major events of Russian history took place.

History/Political Science 315 fall/spring (3)
Contemporary History of Russia: The Communist Phase
Russia's recent historical background from the October Revolution to the collapse of the USSR. The seizure of Russia by the Bolsheviks in October 1917 through the Civil War (1918-1922), Stalin's role and that of his Communist followers. Problems of reforms under Communist domination (N.S. Khrushchev, M.S. Gorbachev), the mellowing of the Communist dictatorship, growing corruption of elites and the final demise of Communist dictatorship.

History 312 fall/spring (3)
History and Culture of St Petersburg: St Petersburg's Role in Russian History and Culture
Topics include St Petersburg as the capital of the Russian Empire and home to major architectural and artistic monuments, the city as home to Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Brodsky and Shostokovitch.This course also looks at major figures in Russian history and their links to St Petersburg.

Literature 307 fall/spring (3)
19th Century Russian Literature
Reading key works in translation, students trace the history of classical Russian literature from 11th century beginnings to the turn of the 20th century. Main focus is on 19th century writers such as Pushkin, Tolstoi, Dostoevsky, Gogol and Chekhov.

Literature 309 fall/spring (3)
Contemporary Russian Literature
Focus is on major themes of Russian literature since 1917, with students reading (in translation) highly regarded works written both in Russia and abroad.

Political Science/Sociology 311 fall/spring (3)
Contemporary Russian Life
Major elements of contemporary Russian life: law, economics, government, health care, art and education. Topics include Soviet literature and journalism, the "non-Russian nationality" question since 1985 and economic effects of Perestroika.

Religion/Sociology 319 fall/spring (3)
The Russian Orthodox Church, its Development and its Influence Today
Development of the Russian Orthodox Church and the influence that the Orthodoxy has on Russian culture. Relationship and interaction between the Church and State during different periods of Russian history. The major religious confessions existing in Russia and the role and influence that the Orthodox Church has in Russian society today.

Courses in Russian

A minimum enrollment of 10 students is required to offer these courses in Russian. Students must have completed Russian 201.

Art History 303R fall/spring (3)
History of Russian Art

History 305R fall/spring (3)
Russian History from Kievan Rus to the Revolution

Literature 307R fall/spring (3)
19th Century Russian Literature

Literature 309R fall/spring (3)
Contemporary Literature

Political Science/Sociology 311R fall/spring (3)
Contemporary Russian Life

For more information call (800) 727-2437.