Catalogue

Russian and Eurasian Studies

russian.bard.edu

Faculty

Marina Kostalevsky (director, fall) and Olga Voronina (director, spring), Jonathan Becker, Jonathan Brent, Elizabeth Frank, Cecile E. Kuznitz, Sean McMeekin, Oleg Minin

Overview

The Russian and Eurasian Studies Program (RES) focuses on the language, literature, history, and culture of Russia, the Soviet Union, and East and East-Central Europe, through a range of interdisciplinary contexts, theoretical perspectives, and analytical approaches. Both Lower and Upper College courses draw upon faculty expertise in history, literature, politics, economics, art, music, culture, and religious studies as they relate to Russia and Eurasia, either separately or in a comparative context. 

Proficiency in the Russian language is a key component of the RES major. The Russian course offerings range from beginning to advanced levels, and include opportunities for study in Russia at the Bard-affiliated Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Smolny), St. Petersburg University. Students may choose to specialize in a literature or social science track, or combine Russian and Eurasian Studies with another program of study.

Requirements

To moderate into RES, a student must complete at least 12 credits of Russian language, one course in Russian literature, and one course from the Division of Social Studies in Russian or Eurasian studies (i.e., history, politics, economics, religion). Native or heritage speakers should consult with their adviser to determine how the language requirement will be adjusted.

For graduation, students should demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to at least the third-year level of Russian. This means taking either the second-year Russian sequence, plus at least one third-year Russian course, or taking Russian classes at Smolny College in St. Petersburg, followed by at least one second-level course and two third- or fourth-level courses at Bard. At least 12 additional credits (three courses) are required in the student’s primary Russian Studies track (either literature or social science). One of these courses must be at the 300 level or above (a major seminar with a substantial research paper). Since the RES curriculum strives for balance and breadth, it is also recommended that one of these courses treat Russia, Eastern Europe, or Eurasia in a comparative context. Also required are at least 4 credits (one additional course) in the other Russian Studies track (either literature or social science) and a Senior Project.

Recent Senior Projects in Russian and Eurasian Studies

• “The Perfect Illusion: Complicated Beauty and the Challenge of Interpreting Vladimir Nabokov’s Ada or Ardour: A Family Chronicle”
• “Seize the Means of Reproduction! Gender War in Zamyatin’s We”
• “A Translation and Analysis of Mikhail Sushkov’s The Russian Werther”

Opportunities for Practical Experience

RES majors are encouraged to participate in Bard’s study abroad program at Smolny College, a joint initiative of Bard and St. Petersburg University. Students may enroll in summer intensive Russian language courses and/or semester or academic-year programs at Smolny, where Bard students combine a liberal arts curriculum with linguistic and cultural immersion by taking classes in Russian, side by side with Russian students. For more information, see the “Bard Abroad” chapter in this catalogue.