Honors Program in Russian Language and Literature

The minimum grade for acceptance into the Honors Program in Russian: B level work in courses taken at Swarthmore in language and culture.

Requirements for Majors

(1) RUSS 004B, or equivalent study;
(2) RUSS 011 and RUSS 013, or equivalent courses taken elsewhere;
(3) one more course in Russian literature in translation, OR one advanced literature course in another language (e.g., ENGL 071K, CHIN 066, CLAS 104, FREN 040, GERM 066, SPAN 060);
(4) at least two seminars.

Requirements for Minors

(1) RUSS 004B, or equivalent study;
(2) RUSS 011 and RUSS 013, or equivalent courses taken elsewhere;
(3) one more course taken in Russian literature in translation, OR one advanced literature course in another language (see examples above);
(4) one seminar.

Senior Honors Study

At the beginning of their final semester, seniors will meet with the Russian section head. (1) In consultation with the section head, majors will prepare a bibliography of additional readings related to the content of their three (2-credit) honors preparations. Majors will write three 2500- to 3000-word papers in Russian, one for each honors preparation, or a 7500-word paper that integrates the three honors preparations. These papers (or this paper) will be presented to the external examiners along with the syllabi of the three 2-credit seminars and any other relevant material. (2) In consultation with the Russian section head, minors will prepare a bibliography of additional readings related to the content of their one 2-credit honors preparation. Minors will write one 2500-word paper that expands on and extends the single honors preparation and integrates it, whenever possible, with their honors major. This paper will be presented to the external examiner along with the syllabus of the honors seminar and any other relevant material. (3) Mode of examination: Majors will take three three-hour written examinations prepared by the external examiners as well as a half-hour oral examination for each, based on each written examination and materials submitted to the examiner. Minors will take one three-hour written examination prepared by the external examiner as well as a half-hour oral examination based on the written examination and materials submitted to the examiner.