The major in Russian and East European Studies provides a program of study that enables a broad multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural understanding of the languages, literatures, cultures, histories, and societies of Russia, Central and Eastern European, and the Balkan and Baltic regions. For the language requirement, students can choose any regional language offered at Penn (i.e. Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian) or in which they can demonstrate an equivalent proficiency. In addition to linguistic flexibility, the major allows students to pursue their specific disciplinary interests through three concentrations: Language, Literature, and Culture; History, Politics, and Society; and Cinema, Arts, and Letters. Majors are encouraged to complete a summer or semester abroad to gain first-hand understanding of the communities they study and to advance their language competency. The major offers an honors option.
Knowledge of Russian and East European languages and cultures is a marketable and impressive skill, whether you are in academia, arts, law, medicine, governmental service, public interest, business, or politics. Russian and East European majors and minors land jobs in a variety of settings. They go on to work in business as financial and policy analysts for American and foreign companies. They work for NGOs, publishing houses, or the media. They teach abroad and consult in marketing, advertising, aerospace, or computer engineering. And, of course, some work as educators in universities and schools and as employees of the US government.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 32. Double majors may entail more course units.