About

Overview Learning GoalsThe Russian major at Amherst College has a two-fold mission: to provide instruction in a foreign language at all levels, preparing students for informed study of the culture, and to offer literature and culture courses in translation as part of the broader liberal-arts tradition. The study of Russian gives our students a comprehensive knowledge of the language which will allow them to develop competence in speaking, understanding, reading, writing, and cultural literacy, while illustrating how language, society, and culture are inextricably linked. Through the study of at least three years of the Russian language, including a highly recommended (though not required) semester or summer-long stay in the country, as well as an opportunity to choose from among a wide variety of courses (some conducted in Russian) in literature, film, theater, cultural studies, and history, majors have the opportunity to explore multiple facets of the "Russian experience" under the guidance of scholars and teachers who are actively engaged in the profession. The reliable presence of a historian increases the appeal and depth of the Russian major, adding a more global and historic aspect to the curriculum.Acknowledging the diverse nature of, and various approaches to, the subject matter, faculty assist concentrators in putting together a series of courses which cohere to a well-defined whole, often interdisciplinary in nature. A senior honors essay is optional, but each student, in a required comprehensive essay composed over the course of two semesters that is followed by an oral defense during the second semester of senior year, explains and defends the primary focus of his/her studies as a Russian major. Earlier that year the major is also asked to demonstrate Russian language proficiency in a 90-minute translation exam which reflects the ability to comprehend the written language at a sophisticated level. Our students are readily accepted into all semester programs in Russia, and when they return, they claim that they were as well — or better — prepared than most of their counterparts from comparable institutions. An unsually high number of our majors have gone on to graduate study in the field of Russian and Slavic cultures, and to academic and other employment using their knowledge of Russian. I want to find another Bachelor Course

The purpose of a Russian major at Amherst College is to furnish a nuanced appreciation of Russia's rich cultural achievements as well as an understanding of Russia's historical significance on the world scene.

Disciplines

Language StudiesLinguistics

Requirements

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7.5
TOEFLMin 100

Other Requirements

1Common Application, Coalition Application OR QuestBridge ApplicationAmherst College Writing Supplement $65 Application Fee (non-refundable) or Fee Waiver (requested through Common Application, Coalition Application or Amherst's Quick Pass).School ReportSecondary School TranscriptCounselor Recommendation (College Counselor / Guidance Counselor)Two Teacher Recommendations (English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Foreign Language)Optional Standardized Test Results for the SAT or ACT (either self-reported or official scores).Early Decision Agreement (for ED applicants)First marking period grades from senior year (for ED applicants)Mid-Year School Report Form (as soon as first trimester/first semester grades are available)Mid-Year Transcript (as soon as first trimester/first semester grades are available)

Russian

Russian

About

Disciplines

Requirements

English Requirements

Other Requirements

Fee Information

Russian

Amherst College