Undergraduate Catalog 2005- 2006

Russian†

Department of Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030

Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: linguistics.buffalo.edu

Karin Michelson
Chair

David Fertig
Director of Language Programs
fertig@buffalo.edu

About the Program

†This area of study is available as a special major through the College of Arts and Sciences. It is not a separately registered degree program. Refer to the Special Major section in this catalog for more information.

Russia is one of the most important countries in the world. Covering eleven time zones, it stretches from Europe to the Pacific. Its language is spoken by over 150 million people, and the riches of its thousand-year-old civilization have influenced people all over the world. The Russian language program offers three years of Russian; advanced study is available periodically.

Degree Options

A special major B.A. in Russian area studies can be arranged in consultation with a faculty sponsor from the program and the student’s undergraduate academic advisor. Each major’s exact composition varies with the availability of suitable courses in each area, and with the student’s individual preferences. (See requirements for the special major.) Such a major consists of two or three years of Russian language study, plus selected courses from the Departments of History, Political Science, Philosophy, or other courses related to the study of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Courses in Russian can also be used as part of the social sciences interdisciplinary studies major, as well as the European studies concentration in the interdisciplinary program in the humanities.

Practical Experience and Special Opportunities

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section in this catalog or contact the Study Abroad Programs office at (716) 645-3912.

Students wishing to satisfy the requirements for teaching certification should plan their programs with particular care in order to accommodate the required semester of the professional sequence during their senior year. For certification requirements, students should contact the Teacher Education Institute, Graduate School of Education, 375 Baldy Hall.

Career Opportunities/Further Study

The opening of Russia to the West has meant many new job opportunities for students who know Russian. UB graduates are working in the American Embassy in Moscow and the American consulate in St. Petersburg, and teaching English in Kyrgyzstan. There are also jobs in business, banking, law, journalism, research, government intelligence services, immigration, education, new technologies, and social services. It is a good idea to combine Russian with some other field, as its study complements that of many other majors. For more detailed information on jobs, consult the Department of Linguistics.


Course Descriptions

RUS 101 Elementary Russian 1st Semester

Credits:  5
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a basic introduction to pronunciation, reading, writing, and conversation; introduces cultural topics.

 

RUS 102 Elementary Russian 2nd Semester

Credits:  5
Semester:
Prerequisites:  RUS 101
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a basic introduction to pronunciation, reading, writing, and conversation; introduces cultural topics.

RUS 104 Russian for Native Speakers

Credits:  5
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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For students who have either 1) had previous experience with Russian but would benefit from a review before going into intermediate level courses, or 2) been exposed to Russian informally in their home setting, but who do not speak Russian fluently, have not had any formal training in Russian, and are not literate in Russian.

 

RUS 223 Intermediate Russian 1st Semester

Credits:  5
Semester: F
Prerequisites:  RUS 102 or permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Sequel to RUS 101-RUS 102. Continues the study of basic grammar. Communicative topics include weather, phone conversations, travel, movies, TV, reading, free time, health, and holidays. Involves further work with authentic reading and listening materials and practical writing tasks.

RUS 224 Intermediate Russian 2nd Semester

Credits:  5
Semester: Sp
Prerequisites:  RUS 223 or permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Sequel to RUS 101-RUS 102. Continues the study of basic grammar. Communicative topics include weather, phone conversations, travel, movies, TV, reading, free time, health, and holidays. Involves further work with authentic reading and listening materials and practical writing tasks.

 

RUS 301 Third-Year Russian 1st Semester

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  RUS 224 or permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Develops reading, conversation, and grammar, focusing on Russian culture. Topics include meeting people, weddings, family issues, Russian cooking, traditions and customs, nature, art, and the Russian soul. A video accompanies the text.

RUS 302 Third-Year Russian 2nd Semester

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  RUS 301 or permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Develops reading, conversation, and grammar, focusing on Russian culture. Topics include meeting people, weddings, family issues, Russian cooking, traditions and customs, nature, art, and the Russian soul. A video accompanies the text.

 

RUS 311 Russian Culture

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines highlights of Russian culture, including art, architecture, music, literature, religion, food, customs, the Russian soul, the burning question of what it means to be Russian, and Russia’s relationship to the West.

RUS 408 Fourth-Year Russian

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Engages students in advanced Russian conversation and composition.

 

RUS 499 Independent Study

Credits:  1 - 16
Semester:
Prerequisites:  permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

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Supplements regular offerings of the department. Students must secure the instructor’s permission before registering for independent study.

Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:50:19 AM

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