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BA in Russian

Degree Program Description

The discipline of Russian studies involves the systematic, first-hand exploration of the language, literature, and cultures of diverse Russian-speaking countries and Russophone cultures around the world. The liberal arts foundation of this discipline prepares students for careers in a wide variety of fields, including journalism, tourism, diplomacy, and education.

Major Program Requirements

The major in Russian consists of 27 credits in Russian beyond RUSS 1200. Within these 27 hours, students must meet minimum requirements within two categories: language, and literature and culture (see below). The Russian faculty strongly encourages all majors to spend at least one semester (or summer) studying abroad, preferably after their second year of the language. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Major core requirements (beyond the A&S language requirement)
Four of the following courses in language or their equivalents (minimum of two at the 3000-plus level) must be included:12
RUSS 2130Second-Year Russian I4
RUSS 2160Second-Year Russian II4
RUSS 3001Topics in Russian-General1-3
RUSS 3130Intermediate Russian3
RUSS 3160Intermediate Conversation and Composition3
RUSS 3630Russian Classics I3
RUSS 3640Russian Classics II3
RUSS 4160Advanced Russian Conversation3
Four literature and culture courses, chosen from the following, and to include at least one at the 4000-level:12
RUSS 2100Classics and Iconoclasts: An Introduction to Russian Literature3
RUSS 2340Icons and Revolutions: Russia from its Beginnings to Today3
RUSS 2350Understanding Russia through Film3
RUSS 3005Topics in Russian-Humanities1-3
RUSS 3380Sinners, Saints, and Madmen: 19th Century Russian Literature3
RUSS 3390True Fictions: Russian Prose since 19003
RUSS 4005Topics in Russian-Humanities1-3
RUSS 4350Special Readings in Russian1-3
RUSS 4840Totalitarianism and Culture3
LG_LT_CT 4850Revolution and Media in a Global Perspective 3
RUSS 4880Environment and Empire in Russia and Eurasia3
Electives in Russian, chosen from courses above or others as approved by the Russian advisor.3

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
RUSS 11006RUSS 12006
HIST 11003MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 12003
ENGLSH 10003Course for second major/minor3
Foundation Requirements (humanities)3Foundation Requirements (behavioral Sciences)3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
RUSS 21003RUSS 21604
RUSS 21304RUSS 23503
Course for second major/minor3Course for second major/minor3
Foundation Requirements (sciences)3Foundation Requirements (humanities)3
Foundation Requirements (social science)3Foundation Requirements (sciences)3
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
RUSS 31303RUSS 31603
RUSS 33903Foundation Requirements (sciences with lab)5
Foundation Requirements (humanities)3Foundation Requirements (behavioral sciences)4
Courses for second major/minor6Course for second major/minor/elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
RUSS 48803RUSS 48403
4000-level Russian literature/culture course3Capstone course for second major/elective3
Foundation Requirements (humanities)3Foundation Requirements (social sciences)3
Second major/minor/electives5Second major/minor/electives5
 14 14
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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