Russian Area Studies (RAS, RUSS)

The Russian Area Studies major is interdisciplinary and offers instruction in Russian language and literature, both in Russian and in translation. Students may also take courses focusing directly on Russia, or containing significant Russian content, in the disciplines of anthropology, art, history, politics and sociology. The requirements for the major are described in “Russian Area Studies major leading to BA degree ”. Students should begin Russian language instruction as early as possible, preferably in the first year, since third-year language proficiency is required for the major. Language courses are taught by two core faculty members, who are assisted by a visiting Russian scholar.

Majors are encouraged to study the Russian language in Russia for a spring term or a longer period. When there is sufficient student demand and faculty resources permit, a course is offered during the spring term at a Russian university. Other features of the Russian Area Studies program include: a state-of-the-art language laboratory, computer-aided language instruction, various library collections for faculty and student research, guest lectures, Russian-language lunches, a Russian film series and daily television transmission from Russia. Further information is available from the website at http://www.wlu.edu/russian-area-studies-program.

HONORS: An Honors Program is offered for qualified students; see program director for details.

Head of the Program: Anna Brodsky

Core Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

Richard H. Bidlack, Ph.D.—(1987)-2011
Professor of History
Ph.D., Indiana University

Anna Brodsky, Ph.D.—(1994)-2016
Professor of Russian
Ph.D., Yale University

Krzysztof Jasiewicz, Ph.D.—(1991)-1994
William P. Ames Jr. Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Ph.D., Polish Academy of Sciences

Russian Area Studies Courses

Russian Area Studies courses are as follows:

The following courses may also meet major requirements when the topic is appropriate:

Degrees/Majors/Minors

Interdisciplinary Major

• Russian Area Studies major leading to BA degree

Interdisciplinary Minor

• Russian Language and Culture minor