REES Undergraduate Major

The major in Russian and East European Studies, administered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of a broad region: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia; Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, \the rest of east central Europe; and the Balkans. The program is appropriate for students considering careers in international public policy, diplomacy, or business, and is also suited to students wishing to continue academic work.

Languages. A full understanding of the area demands a knowledge of its languages. Students must demonstrate either proficiency in Russian, or intermediate ability in an east European language. Students may demonstrate proficiency in Russian by: (1) completing fourth-year Russian (RUSS 141b), (2) passing a written examination to demonstrate equivalent ability, or (3) completing a literature courses taught in Russian and approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Students may demonstrate intermediate level ability in an east European languages by (1) completing a two-year sequence in an East European language (currently Czech, or Serbian and Croatian), or (2) by passing a language examination demonstrating equivalent competence. Students are encouraged to learn more than one language.

Course requirements. Thirteen term courses taken for a letter grade are required. Students must take (1) RSEE 390a, (2) RSEE 284, HIST 290, or HIST 291. All east European language courses and third- and fourth-year Russian count towards the major. Elective courses are chosen from an annual list offerings, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Electives must include at least one course in a social science. Complete descriptions of these courses appear in individual departmental listings. Other undergraduate courses relevant to Russian and East European Studies, including residential college seminars, may also count toward the major if approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Qualified students may elect pertinent courses in the Graduate School with the permission of the instructor, the director of graduate studies, and the director of undergraduate studies.

Senior requirement. Every major must write a senior essay. At the beginning of the first term of the senior year, students enroll in RSEE 490, and arrange for a faculty member to serve as senior adviser. By the third Friday of October, senior majors submit a detailed prospectus of the essay, with bibliography, to the adviser. A draft of at least ten pages of the senior essay, or a detailed outline of the entire essay, is due to the advisor the last day of reading period in the first term. The student is to provide the advisor with a form, which the advisor signs to notify the director of undergraduate studies that the first term requirements have been met. Failure to meet these requirements results in loss of credit for the first term of the course. The senior essay takes the form of a substantial article, no longer than 13,000 words of text, excluding footnotes and bibliography. The essay is due on the second Friday in April, in triplicate, in the Russian and East European Studies office. A member of the faculty other than the student’s adviser grades the essay.

Study and travel. Students should be aware of opportunities for study and travel in Russia and Eastern Europe. The director of undergraduate studies can provide information on these programs and facilitate enrollment. Those students who spend all or part of the academic year in the region participating in established academic programs usually receive Yale College credit. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of study abroad opportunities during summers or through the Junior Year or Term Abroad program. Students wishing to travel abroad as part of the major should consult the director of undergraduate studies by October 1.

M.A. Program. The European and Russian Studies Program does not offer the option of simultaneous award of the BA and MA degrees, however, undergraduate students in Yale College are eligible to complete the MA in European and Russian Studies (with concentration on Russia and Eastern Europe) in one year of graduate work if they begin the program in the third and fourth undergraduate years. Students interested in this option must complete eight graduate courses in the area by the time of the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Only two courses may be counted towards both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Successful completion of graduate courses while still an undergraduate does not guarantee admission into the MA program.

Requirements of the Major:

Prerequisites or corequisites: Demonstrated proficiency in Russian or intermediate level ability in an east European language.

Number of courses: Thirteen term courses, including the senior essay and specified language courses.

Specific courses required: RSEE 390a; one from RSEE 284 [HIST 282], HIST 290a or 291b, RSEE 490 (the senior essay).

Distribution of courses: At least one course in the social sciences.

Senior requirement: Senior essay (RSEE 490)

Official Yale College program and course information is found in Yale College Programs of Study, available on line at www.yale.edu/yalecollege/publications/ycps.