Russian Studies BA

Overview

The major in Russian Studies is designed for students who wish to complement mastery of the language with an array of courses on Russian history, politics, literature, and culture.

The Russian Studies major is a designated capstone major. Students must complete a capstone seminar and present their final paper in the department annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Students draw on their previously acquired subject matter knowledge and skills to plan a research project and write a substantial academic paper. They … For more content click the Read More button below.

The Russian Studies major is a designated capstone major. Students must complete a capstone seminar and present their final paper in the department annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Students draw on their previously acquired subject matter knowledge and skills to plan a research project and write a substantial academic paper. They also gain experience engaging in scholarly discourse, preparing appropriate media for public presentation, and submitting their work to an academic journal.

Learning Outcomes

Incorporation of knowledge acquired to formulate an independent study topic and research project

Selection and use of original sources in Russian or a related language to prepare a thesis

Acquisition of skills relating to development of discourse and argument that is clear, reasoned, reflective, informed by evidence, and aimed at deciding what to believe

Determination of what information should be developed and analyzed

Completion of conference presentation that includes fielding audience questions

Mastery of oral communication including interpersonal communication, presentation, and discussion

Editing of the research paper into a journal article, and submission of it to an academic journal

Requirements

Preparation for the Major

Transfer Students

The Major

Required: Ten courses (44 to 47 units), including (1) three Russian language courses selected from Russian 100A, 100B, 100C, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 102C, 103A, 103B, 103C, 107A, 107B, 107C, 108 (consult with the undergraduate adviser for appropriate placement); (2) three additional Russian language and/or literature courses selected from 102A, 102B, 102C, 103A, 103B, 103C, 107A, 107B, 107C, 108, M118, 119, 120, 121, 122, C124C, C124D, C124G, C124N, C124P, C124T, 129; and (3) four related fields courses selected from History M127A through 127D, Political Science 128A, 128B, 156A, Slavic CM114.

During their senior year, students must also take Slavic 191TA, 191TB, 191TC in which they complete a capstone senior thesis.

The Major Policies

Honors Program

The honors program is designed for exceptional departmental majors who wish to complete a research project that culminates in an honors thesis.

Admission

The honors program is open to majors with a 3.5 grade-point average in upper-division courses in the major and a 3.0 overall GPA. Students should apply for admission by spring quarter of their junior year. At the time of admission, students must have completed at least two upper-division courses in their major. Prior to admission to the honors program, students must identify a faculty adviser, who must be a regular member of the UCLA faculty; the faculty adviser must commit to mentoring the student for the duration of the program. Students must also write a two-page proposal of the project, to be approved by the faculty adviser and submitted with the application form.

Requirements

The honors program is a three-term sequence (Slavic 198A, 198B, 198C), taken in addition to requirements for the major. The courses must be taken during senior year (fall, winter, and spring terms respectively). Students pursuing departmental honors must submit the contract for each course by the end of the tenth week of the previous quarter. The sequence culminates in the submission of a thesis. Students who enroll in the honors program are exempt from taking the standard thesis course sequence (Slavic 191TA, 191TB, 191TC).

The honors thesis is intended to be a substantial piece of original scholarship at least 40 pages in length exclusive of front matter, appendixes, and bibliography (25 pages to satisfy the regular capstone senior thesis major requirement). Students are required to use a Slavic, east European, or Eurasian language in their research, with the scope of the language work to be determined in consultation with their faculty adviser. Evaluation of the honors thesis is made by the faculty adviser.

To qualify for graduation with departmental honors, students must (1) complete all requirements for the major, (2) have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in upper-division courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and (3) complete Slavic 198A, 198B, 198C with grades of B or better.

To qualify for graduation with departmental highest honors, students must (1) complete all requirements for the major, (2) have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.8 or better in upper-division courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 3.5 or better, and (3) complete Slavic 198A, 198B, 198C with grades of A- or better.

Honors and highest honors are recorded on the final transcript and diploma after students successfully complete the program.

In the event that a student does not complete the departmental honors program or qualify for departmental honors/highest honors, their paper may count toward the regular capstone senior thesis requirement for their major (25 pages minimum to satisfy requirement).