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 360-0Survey 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 interest rests in non-Russian Slavic ­countries.

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 SpeakersPOLISH 358-2 Polish for Advanced and Native SpeakersSLAVIC 399-0 Independent Study with readings in Polish; and/or study abroad in a language-focused program
    • Russian
      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
  • 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

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 101-1Elementary Russian
RUSSIAN 101-2Elementary Russian
RUSSIAN 101-3Elementary Russian
RUSSIAN 102-1Intermediate Russian
RUSSIAN 102-2Intermediate Russian
RUSSIAN 102-3Intermediate Russian
RUSSIAN 302-1Advanced Russian in Conversations
RUSSIAN 302-2Advanced Russian in Conversations
RUSSIAN 302-3Advanced Russian in Conversations
RUSSIAN 303-1Advanced Russian Language and Culture
RUSSIAN 303-2Advanced Russian Language and Culture
RUSSIAN 303-3Advanced Russian Language and Culture
RUSSIAN 304-1Advanced Contemporary Russian
RUSSIAN 304-2Advanced Contemporary Russian
SLAVIC 341-0Structure of Modern Russian
RUSSIAN 359-0Russian Prose
Polish courses:
POLISH 108-1Elementary Polish
POLISH 108-2Elementary Polish
POLISH 108-3Elementary Polish
POLISH 208-1Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture
POLISH 208-2Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture
POLISH 208-3Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture
POLISH 358-1Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers
POLISH 358-2Polish for Advanced and Native Speakers

Courses with Readings and Discussion in English

Course Title
SLAVIC 210-1Introduction to Russian Literature
SLAVIC 210-2Introduction to Russian Literature
SLAVIC 210-3Introduction to Russian Literature
SLAVIC 211-120th-Century Russian Literature
SLAVIC 211-220th-Century Russian Literature
SLAVIC 255-0Slavic Civilizations
SLAVIC 261-0Heart of Europe: Poland in the Twentieth Century
SLAVIC 267-0Czech Culture: Film, Visual Arts & Music
SLAVIC 278-1Visual Art in the Context of Russian Culture
SLAVIC 278-2Visual Art in the Context of Russian Culture
SLAVIC 310-0Tolstoy
SLAVIC 311-0Dostoevsky
SLAVIC 314-0Chekhov
SLAVIC 322-0Making a Dictionary: The Northwestern Project
SLAVIC 328-0Prague: City of Cultures, City of Conflict
SLAVIC 367-1Russian Film
SLAVIC 368-0Andrei Tarkovsky's Aesthetics and World Cinema
SLAVIC 369-0Russian Drama
SLAVIC 390-0History and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe
SLAVIC 392-0East European Literature and Visual Arts
SLAVIC 396-0Topics 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 359-0Russian Prose
SLAVIC 360-0Survey of 19th Century Russian Poetry
SLAVIC 361-0Survey of 20th Century Russian Poetry
SLAVIC 399-0Independent Study