Slavic Languages and Literatures Major
Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.
NOTE: This Catalog describes Weinberg College BA requirements that pertain to students who matriculated at Northwestern after spring quarter 2023. Refer to the Archives if you are following BA requirements described in the 2018-2019 through 2022-2023 editions.
Concentration in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture
This concentration is guided by a focus on 19th- and 20th-century Russian literature. Through language and literature study, students receive an intensive understanding of Russian culture, including political, religious, and cultural ideas.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | |
| RUSSIAN 102-1 & RUSSIAN 102-2 & RUSSIAN 102-3 | Intermediate Russian and Intermediate Russian and Intermediate Russian |
or equivalent Russian proficiency | |
| Department Courses (12 units) | |
| 3 courses in advanced Russian language chosen from: | |
| Advanced Russian in Conversations | |
| Advanced Russian in Conversations | |
| Advanced Russian in Conversations | |
| Advanced Russian Language and Culture | |
| Advanced Russian Language and Culture | |
| Advanced Russian Language and Culture | |
| 9 additional courses: | |
| 4 Slavic courses chosen from the following: | |
200-level Slavic courses taught in English | |
200-level courses taught in other departments and co-listed in Slavic | |
1 Slavic First-Year Seminar, College Seminar, or First-Year Writing Seminar | |
| SLAVIC 360-0 | Survey of 19th Century Russian Poetry |
| or SLAVIC 361-0 | Survey of 20th Century Russian Poetry |
| 4 additional Slavic courses at the 300 or 400 level. | |
| Related Courses | |
| 2 courses from outside the department; must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Departments and programs offering relevant courses include art history, history, Jewish studies, musicology, political science, and theater. A current list of approved courses is available on the department’s website. | |
Concentration in Russian and East European Studies
This flexible major concentration is designed for students who wish to combine language and literature with work in other disciplines. It is also a good choice for students whose primary interests lie in countries other than Russia.
Prerequisite
- Two years of college-level Czech, Polish, or Russian language, or equivalent proficiency
Department courses (typically 12 units; may vary depending on language option)
- One of the following advanced language options:
- Czech
- Individual plan requires approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- Equivalent of a full year of advanced study; may include SLAVIC 399-0 Independent Study with readings in Czech; and/or study abroad in a language-focused program
- Polish
- Individual plan requires approval of the director of undergraduate studies.
- Equivalent of a full year of advanced study; may include POLISH 358-1 Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers, POLISH 358-2 Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers; SLAVIC 399-0 Independent Study with readings in Polish; and/or study abroad in a language-focused program
- Russian
Course List Course Title 3 of the following: Advanced Russian in Conversations Advanced Russian in Conversations Advanced Russian in Conversations Advanced Russian Language and Culture Advanced Russian Language and Culture Advanced Russian Language and Culture
- Czech
- 9 additional courses
- 4 100- or 200-level Slavic courses chosen from the following:
- 200-level Slavic courses taught in English
- 200-level courses taught in other departments and co-listed in Slavic
- 1 Slavic First-Year Seminar, College Seminar, or First-Year Writing Seminar
- 1-2 courses in a second Slavic language
- 3 Slavic courses at the 300 or 400 level
- 2 electives from outside the department
- 4 100- or 200-level Slavic courses chosen from the following:
Related Courses
- 2 additional related courses from outside the department; must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Departments and programs offering relevant courses include art history, history, Jewish studies, musicology, political science, and theater. A current list of approved courses is available on the department’s website.
Honors in Slavic Languages and Literatures
Majors with strong academic records and an interest in pursuing honors should consult the honors adviser by the end of junior year. Most honors candidates research and write the thesis in 2 quarters of SLAVIC 399-0 Independent Study. Another option is to take a 400-level seminar followed by SLAVIC 399-0 Independent Study, in which the student pursues a topic arising out of the 400-level course. These courses may be counted for credit in the major.
Students whose theses and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information see the program website and Honors in the Major.
Courses
Courses in Language and Linguistics
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Russian courses: | |
| RUSSIAN 101-1 | Elementary Russian |
| RUSSIAN 101-2 | Elementary Russian |
| RUSSIAN 101-3 | Elementary Russian |
| RUSSIAN 102-1 | Intermediate Russian |
| RUSSIAN 102-2 | Intermediate Russian |
| RUSSIAN 102-3 | Intermediate Russian |
| RUSSIAN 302-1 | Advanced Russian in Conversations |
| RUSSIAN 302-2 | Advanced Russian in Conversations |
| RUSSIAN 302-3 | Advanced Russian in Conversations |
| RUSSIAN 303-1 | Advanced Russian Language and Culture |
| RUSSIAN 303-2 | Advanced Russian Language and Culture |
| RUSSIAN 303-3 | Advanced Russian Language and Culture |
| RUSSIAN 304-1 | Advanced Contemporary Russian |
| RUSSIAN 304-2 | Advanced Contemporary Russian |
| SLAVIC 341-0 | Structure of Modern Russian |
| RUSSIAN 359-0 | Russian Prose |
| Polish courses: | |
| POLISH 108-1 | Elementary Polish |
| POLISH 108-2 | Elementary Polish |
| POLISH 108-3 | Elementary Polish |
| POLISH 208-1 | Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture |
| POLISH 208-2 | Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture |
| POLISH 208-3 | Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture |
| POLISH 358-1 | Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers |
| POLISH 358-2 | Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers |
Courses with Readings and Discussion in English
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| SLAVIC 210-1 | Introduction to Russian Literature |
| SLAVIC 210-2 | Introduction to Russian Literature |
| SLAVIC 210-3 | Introduction to Russian Literature |
| SLAVIC 211-1 | 20th-Century Russian Literature |
| SLAVIC 211-2 | 20th-Century Russian Literature |
| SLAVIC 218-0 | Introduction to Polish Literature |
| SLAVIC 250-SA | Balkan Civilizations |
| SLAVIC 255-0 | Slavic Civilizations |
| SLAVIC 261-0 | Heart of Europe: Poland in the Twentieth Century |
| SLAVIC 267-0 | Czech Culture: Film, Visual Arts & Music |
| SLAVIC 278-1 | Visual Art in the Context of Russian Culture |
| SLAVIC 278-2 | Visual Art in the Context of Russian Culture |
| SLAVIC 310-0 | Tolstoy |
| SLAVIC 311-0 | Dostoevsky |
| SLAVIC 314-0 | Chekhov |
| SLAVIC 318-0 | Polish Cinema |
| SLAVIC 322-0 | Making a Dictionary: The Northwestern Project |
| SLAVIC 328-0 | Prague: City of Cultures, City of Conflict |
| SLAVIC 367-1 | Russian Film |
| SLAVIC 368-0 | Andrei Tarkovsky's Aesthetics and World Cinema |
| SLAVIC 369-0 | Russian Drama |
| SLAVIC 390-0 | History and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe |
| SLAVIC 392-0 | East European Literature and Visual Arts |
| SLAVIC 396-0 | Topics in Literature and Arts |
Courses in Literature with Prerequisite in Russian
The prerequisite is proficiency equivalent to completion of third year Russian. This could be demonstrated by successful completion of one of the following: RUSSIAN 302-3, RUSSIAN 303-3, RUSSIAN 304-1, RUSSIAN 304-2, courses taken abroad, or through a placement test. Consent of the instructor is required.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| RUSSIAN 359-0 | Russian Prose |
| SLAVIC 360-0 | Survey of 19th Century Russian Poetry |
| SLAVIC 361-0 | Survey of 20th Century Russian Poetry |
| SLAVIC 399-0 | Independent Study |