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General: The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures provides instruction in the cultures of the Russian and other Slavic peoples, and their neighbors in Western Asia. In addition to language and literature, our department teaches different aspects of Slavic cultures, including film, drama, visual arts, popular culture, critical theory, religious thought, and cultural history.

Our department, which celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary in 2001, was one of the first departments of its kind in the United States.

Over the years, it has remained in the vanguard of Slavic studies, because of the breadth of our coverage and because of our innovative approach to the field. Our faculty members have a wide range of interests and train students to discover the links between our subject matter and other related disciplines. Thus, students find that our courses complement their studies in other fields, whether History, English, or Business.

Although much of the knowledge acquired in the program is specific to the Slavic field, the faculty is dedicated to developing its students' skills in expository writing, in interpreting texts, in clear verbal communication, in literary theory, in research, and in critical thinking. As students in a small department, our majors benefit from the accessibility of their teachers and the community of fellow students.

Because we have a choice of major tracks, students may develop a program of study that suits their needs and interests. There is flexibility in terms of the number of languages and cultures studied, and in terms of the types of courses taken. Whereas some students focus primarily on literature, others pursue a program that embraces a variety of related disciplines. Our majors have the opportunity to work closely with faculty in the students’ areas of interest.

Courses: Our courses combine different disciplines, traditions, approaches, and areas. Whether you are interested in the classics of Russian literature, Polish Romanticism, the novels of Nabokov or Kundera, Eurasian languages (such as Armenian or Georgian) and cultures, the religious culture of old Russia, Slavic folklore, Soviet culture, the films of Eisenstein, Russian Orientalism, contemporary popular culture, the Slavic Department has something to offer you. In almost all our courses on literature and culture, readings and lectures are in English, and no knowledge of Slavic languages is required. We welcome students from all programs and disciplines. Among our offerings, you will find courses that fulfill the following five of the seven breadth requirements: Arts and Literature, Philosophy and Values, Historical Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and International Studies.

Language Instruction: We regularly offer instruction through four years in Russian and through two years in Polish, Czech, BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian), Bulgarian, and Hungarian (a non-Slavic language also taught in this department), as well as Armenian and Georgian.

New as of Fall 2005: We now offer a two-year language sequence in Armenian and Georgian. Students planning to major in our Eurasian culture track may fulfill their language prerequisite with one of these languages.

Majors: The department offers three different major tracks. The major track in Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures offers an interdisciplinary “area studies” approach. For this major track, two years of study (or the equivalent) in Russian, an East European or Eurasian language are required. The major track in Russian Language and Literature focuses specifically on Russian language and literature. It requires three years of language coursework (or the equivalent). The major track in Czech, Polish, or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian allows students to focus intensively on these languages.

Minors: The department offers a range of minors in Russian language and literature and other Slavic languages. It is usual to discuss the possibility of doing a minor with the faculty or staff Major Adviser well before graduation, although the procedures are carried out in the last semester.

Slavic Studies Outside the Classroom: Our campus hosts many Slavic-related lectures, concerts, films, conferences, and other events . A weekly Russian conversation hour is one of the Berkeley Slavic Department's most lively institutions. The Polish Circle and Czech Circle meet regularly for discussions and social events. Film showings, of classic and contemporary films from Russia and other countries, are periodically organized by graduate students. The University of California has its own Study Abroad Program in Moscow during the Fall Semester, as well as a program in Central European Studies in Budapest.

After Graduation: In the world today, in-depth understanding of another culture and knowledge of another language are becoming increasingly valued. Graduates from our department are finding that the recent political, social, and economic changes in Slavic lands have resulted in an increasing number of opportunities for employment, both in this country and abroad, in fields such as education, journalism, business, diplomacy, social work, health, and environmental affairs. A degree in Slavic also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in Slavic and other related fields, as well as a sound background in liberal arts for those wishing to attend professional schools.

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MAJOR TRACK IN RUSSIAN/EAST EUROPEAN/EURASIAN CULTURES
(50-52 units)

This major track integrates the study of languages and cultures of a large area: Russia, Eastern/Central Europe, and Eurasia. Students design their own programs by selecting courses offered by the Slavic department and other departments such as History, Sociology, Art, Political Science, Music, Peace and Conflict Studies. While all majors in this track will gain knowledge of the whole area, the program also allows each student (1) to emphasize a specific cultural region, (2) to compare different regions, or (3) to define a particular field of study.

NEW FALL 2005: We are pleased to announce that both Armenian and Georgian are offered as a 2-year language sequence.

Students are advised to see the Major Adviser in advance to prepare an individualized study list plan for their major emphasis.

Students may declare the major upon entry to the university. However, we encourage one year of study in their major language prior to declaration.

Requirements:
Lower division (21-24 units):

• Four semesters of one language of the area (19 to 20 units) or the equivalent, as determined by examination.
  
  The Department highly recommends additional exposure to language, in course work, intensive summer language programs, or the Education Abroad Program.
  
  Languages offered by this department that can be used for the major are: Russian, Polish, Czech, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Armenian, Georgian. The following languages have been periodically offered in our department or other departments: Kazakh, Uzbek, Ingush, Chechen, Lithuanian).
  
  
• One lower division course in the Slavic Department. Slavic 50, Introduction to Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures. With permission of the Major Adviser it may be possible to substitute another lower division course in the Slavic Department relevant to the major, e.g. Slavic 37, 39, 45, 46.

• One cultural topics course. Slavic 148, Topics in Russian Cultural History or, Slavic 158, Topics in East European and Eurasian Cultural History
  
  
• One relevant course in the Department of History, e.g. History 171A, B, or C; 172; 173; 177
  
  
• Five courses chosen from any upper division offerings of the Slavic Department, or in combination with the following department offerings, e.g. Geography 55C; Political Science 129B, 129C, 141A, 141C; Sociology 181. With permission of the Major Adviser, students may substitute relevant courses from the following departments: Anthropology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Theater and Performance Arts, Economics, Journalism, Legal Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies.
  
  Of these courses, a minimum of one and a maximum of three courses can be taken in departments other than Slavic.
  
  Up to two upper division language courses in the Slavic Department, taken in addition to the initial four semesters of language, can be counted toward this requirement.
  
  Up to two lower division courses in a second language relevant to the program of study can be counted toward this requirement.

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MAJOR TRACK IN RUSSIAN Language and Literature
(53-56 units)

This major track integrates the study of Russian language, literature, institutions, and culture. Students will learn what defines Russia’s unique place in civilization, both in earlier times and in today's world.

Requirements:
Students may declare this major track after completion of Slavic 2 and either Slavic 45 or 46.

Lower division (26 units):

• The first four semesters of Russian (Slavic 1, 2, 3, 4), or the equivalent



• Nineteenth- and twentieth-century surveys of Russian literature (Slavic 45 and 46)

• Advanced Russian language (Slavic 103A, 103B) and Russian conversation (Slavic 120A or B)
  
  
• One literature course with readings in Russian (Slavic 180, 181, 182, or 188)
  
  
• One Russian literature class in English translation (Slavic 131, 132, 133, 134A, B, C, D, E, F, N, or 146)
  
  
• One course in culture selected from the following:
  Russian culture (Slavic 130, 131, 140, 146, 148, 190) or
  The literatures of other Slavic peoples (Slavic 150, 160, 170) or
  Folklore (Slavic 147), Linguistics (Slavic 137), Film (Slavic 138)
  
  
• Two upper division elective courses (each worth 3 or 4 units) in Russian language, literature, or culture selected from the courses listed above. Relevant courses from other programs-for example, History-may be substituted with the permission of the Major Adviser.

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MAJOR TRACK IN CZECH, POLISH, BOSNIAN/CROATIAN/SERBIAN
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
(53-56 units)

With advance consultation, students pursue a major track in Czech, Polish, or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian analogous to the major track in Russian.

Requirements:
In addition to Slavic 1 and 2 (10 units of elementary Russian) and two lower division courses in literature chosen from Slavic 36, 37, 39, 45, 46 or 50 (6 units), the requirements include:

• 10 units of the relevant elementary language [Slavic 25A-25B (Polish), 26A-26B (Czech), 27A-27B (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian)]
  
  
• 8 units of intermediate language (Slavic 115A-115B, 116A-116B, or 117A-117B)
  
  
• 3 units of the survey course in the relevant literature (Slavic 150, 160, or 170)
  
  
• 7 units of two additional courses in the relevant literature in the original (Slavic 151-152, 161-162, or 171-172)
  
  
• a plan of study, designed in advance in consultation with the Major Adviser, consisting of three relevant courses (9-12 units) in Russian or European literature and history
  
  

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Minors

The Department offers minors in (a) Russian language, (b) Russian literature (requiring no knowledge of Russian), (c) Russian language, literature, and culture, and (d) Slavic languages/literatures with an emphasis in Czech, Polish or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian.

Requirements:

The basic course requirement for each of the minors is five upper division courses (four for non-Russian majors), all completed for a letter grade, of which three must be completed at Berkeley. The minor is in a field academically distinct from the student's major. An overall grade-point average of 2.0 in upper-division courses applied to the minor program is required. The minor can be declared the semester after all courses are completed for the minor or up to two weeks past the date of graduation. A Confirmation of Minor form (available from the Undergraduate SAO) must be completed with the Major Adviser (who must be able to look over and keep a copy of the student's unofficial transcript).

NOTE: Minors with language requirements are not open to native speakers of the languages.

Minor in Russian Language, Literature, and Culture

Prerequisite: Four semesters of elementary/intermediate Russian (Slavic 1-4 or equivalent)

Five upper division courses (worth 3 or 4 units each) in Russian language and/or Russian and other Slavic literatures and cultures. These courses may be chosen in any combination by the student, in consultation with the Major Adviser. A course from another related program (for example, comparative literature) may be substituted with approval of the Major Adviser.

Total upper division units: 15-20

Minor in Russian Language

Prerequisite: Four semesters of elementary/intermediate Russian (Slavic 1-4 or equivalent)

Four semesters of advanced Russian (Slavic 103A and 103B, plus 2 courses chosen from Slavic 104A, 104B, 180, 181, 182, or 188), Advanced Russian Conversation (Slavic 120A or B)

Total upper division units: 16-20

Minor in Russian Literature

Prerequisite: Surveys of Russian literature (Slavic 45, 46)

One course on the culture of Russia or other Slavic nation chosen from Slavic 138, 140, 146, 147, 148, 150, 160, or 170

Four courses in Russian literature chosen from Slavic 132, 133, 134 (A, B, C, D, E, F, or N), 136, 180, 181, 182, 188

Total upper division units: 19-20

Minor in Czech, Polish, or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Language and Literature

Prerequisite: Appropriate first-year language sequence (Slavic 25A-B, 26A-B, 27A-B or equivalent)

Two appropriate advanced language courses (Slavic 115A-B, 116A-B, or 117A-B), Literature survey (Slavic 150, 160, or 170)

Two courses in the relevant literature (Slavic 151 and 152 or 161 and 162 or 171 and 172) or substitutes approved by the Major Adviser.

Total upper division units: 17-18

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