Modern Language and Culture – Russian Minor

Overview for Modern Language and Culture – Russian Minor

This minor provides two full years of modern language and culture instruction to prepare students for living and working within an intercultural society both at home and abroad. The minor consists of five courses, either five language courses or a combination of language courses with up to two culture courses. Students with previous language skills must consult the minor advisor for placement evaluation before they register. Part of the requirements for this minor can be fulfilled by courses taken abroad.

Notes about this minor:

  • This minor is closed to fluent native speakers of Russian.
  • Students with prior experience in the language they wish to study are required to take a placement exam before enrollment. This helps ensure that they are placed in the right course for their skill level.
  • Posting of the minor on the student’s academic transcript requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the minor.

The plan code for Modern Language and Culture – Russian Minor is RUSSIAN-MN.

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Modern Language and Culture – Russian Minor

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Course
Electives*
Choose five of the following:
    MLRU-201
   Beginning Russian I
Beginning Russian I introduces the Russian Language and builds foundational skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Grammar is introduced within conversational topics. The course is very interactive and students learn how to communicate on selected topics, creating dialogues and acting out real world situations. Students who have prior knowledge in Russian should take placement test before enrolling into the class. Seminar (Fall, Spring).
    MLRU-202
   Beginning Russian II
Beginning Russian II works on further development of communicative skills within conversational topics. Students learn more vocabulary and grammar and writing given topics are able to have conversations, read, and write in the target language. Students must take the placement exam and consult their program coordinator if this is their first RIT Russian class, and they have some prior study of Russian. (Prerequisites: Minimum score of 1 on RIT Language Placement Exam or MLRU-201 or equivalent course.) Seminar (Fall, Spring).
    MLRU-301
   Intermediate Russian I
Intermediate Russian I starts the second year of Russian language study. Students learn new topics with more complex language structures. Students are prepared for speaking on the topics as well as constructing free conversations in Russian.Students continue to develop their functional skills on an intermediate level. Students must take the placement exam and consult their program coordinator if this is their first RIT Russian class, and they have some prior study of Russian. (Prerequisites: Minimum score of 2 on RIT Language Placement Exam or MLRU-202 or MLRU-202T or equivalent course.) Seminar (Fall, Spring).
    MLRU-302
   Intermediate Russian II
Intermediate Russian II continues the second year of Russian language study. Students learn more new topics and continue developing conversational and functional skills on an intermediate level. They are able to have conversation on a variety of topics. Students are beginning to read more complex text and write essays on the topics. Students must take the placement exam and consult their program coordinator if this is their first RIT Russian class, and they have some prior study of Russian. (Prerequisites: Minimum score of 3 on RIT Language Placement Exam or MLRU-301 or equivalent course.) Seminar (Fall, Spring).
   MLRU-305
   Intermediate Conversation and Intercultural Communication in Russian
This course develops students’ skills in conversation at the intermediate level. Students will review grammar and vocabulary from the beginning level and continue to build on grammar, vocabulary, phrases, and other expressive skills. Students apply them in a variety of task/goal-oriented conversations to gain accuracy and more fluency. In doing so, students reflect upon the norms and communication strategies in the US or their own culture, and compare them with those in Russian society. (Prerequisites: MLRU-202 or equivalent course.) Seminar 3 (Spring).
    MLRU-401
   Advanced Russian I
Advanced Russian I, the first in the advanced (third year) sequence of Russian language courses, provides students with training in advanced-intermediate to advanced level work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing), including conversation, with increased work in reading and writing. In addition students learn about Russian culture and history through articles that they read in the target language. See Coordinator of the World languages program if this is your first RIT Russian class. Students must take the placement exam if this is their first RIT Russian class, and they have some prior study of Russian or are heritage learners who need to improve their reading and writing skills. (Prerequisites: Minimum score of 4 on RIT Language Placement Exam or MLRU-302 or equivalent course.) Seminar (Fall).
    MLRU-402
   Advanced Russian II
Advanced Russian II, the second in the advanced (third year) sequence of Russian language courses provides students with training in advanced level work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). Students are able to participate in discussions, write essays, read articles and excerpts from the work of the Russian authors. Students continue to learn about Russian culture and history through articles. See Coordinator of the World languages program if this is your first RIT Russian class. Students must take the placement exam if this is their first RIT Russian class, and they have some prior study of Russian or are heritage learners. (Prerequisites: Minimum score of 4 on RIT Language Placement Exam or MLRU-302 or equivalent course.) Seminar 3 (Spring).
Students can take up to two culture courses as part of the Russian minor. In addition to culture courses listed for the minor, other courses from other departments dealing with aspects of Russian culture may be approved by the faculty advisor.
   MLRU-405
   Russian Language & Culture through Media
This course trains students in both learning about and learning through Russian language and culture using media. Students engage in learning about Russian cultural traditions, television, cinematography and art through watching movies and videos, exploring websites in the target language, reading, and holding discussions about, digital and written media. Students will broaden their vocabulary base and use them in discussions, conversations, and writing on the advanced level. They will also improve their listening by learning directly from authentic media materials. Students also expand their understanding of certain traditions and gain knowledge about Russian heritage such as cinematography and art. (Prerequisite: MLRU-302 or equivalent course.) Seminar 3 (Fall, Spring).
    ENGL-416
   Topics in Global Literatures†
    ENGL-418
   Great Authors†
This course provides an in-depth look at literary giants and the masterpieces of prose or poetry they have created; it's an opportunity to see the role they played both within the context of their own time and within the larger span of literary history. These great authors confront key questions of modernity that continue to occupy us to this day; they ask the question of what it means to be human and explore fundamental human themes. They give us a fresh perspective on the past and on ourselves. (Prerequisites: Completion of First Year Writing (FYW) requirement is required prior to enrolling in this class.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

* Under special circumstances, and with permission of the minor advisor, up to two culture courses may be substituted for two sequential language courses. Students should contact the minor advisor for a list of approved culture courses.

† When course specifically pertains to Russian literature.