Slavic Studies Programs

The department of Germanic and Slavic Studies offers a full complement of courses in Russian Studies leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the General or Major Programs.

All students planning a program in the department of Germanic and Slavic Studies should consult the departmental Adviser concerning their selection of courses both within and outside the department. Students specializing in particular programs will find that they have sufficient electives to enable them to concentrate (Double Major) in a second field. A wise selection of courses is therefore important, particularly to those students who may wish to enter graduate school, teaching, library work or government service.

Course Challenge

The department of Germanic and Slavic Studies does not permit students to gain credit by course challenge. Students with prior knowledge of Russian may, however, apply to the Chair of the department for a waiver of lower-level program requirements.

Native Speakers

Native speakers of Russian may not obtain credit for first- or second-year language courses. A native speaker is defined in this context as a person who has spoken Russian since childhood and/or has received sufficient instruction in the language to be literate in it. The department will assign students with previous knowledge to the appropriate level.

Transfer Credit

Students are encouraged to take courses in Russian at universities in the former Soviet Union; the department recognizes a broad variety of courses in Russian language, literature and cultural studies for transfer credit. The Faculty regulation for the Major Program, that at least 12 of the 15 units numbered 300 or 400 are required to be taken at UVic, may be lowered to 9 units for students who complete at least 12 units of Russian courses at a university in the former Soviet Union, or to 10.5 units for students who complete at least 7.5 units of Russian courses at a university in the former Soviet Union, and who in each case have completed 3 units of 200-level courses at UVic.

Students must obtain a Letter of Permission (see this page) before undertaking Russian studies at universities of the former Soviet Union. To ensure that the correct transfer credit is granted for courses taken elsewhere, students MUST consult with the department’s Transfer Credit Adviser (see departmental website) BEFORE applying for a Letter of Permission.

Program Requirements

Students planning to take either a General or Major BA in Russian must have a satisfactory standing in courses at the 200 level. Students with advanced credit, or those competent in Russian, will be placed at an appropriate level. Students wishing to select Russian as a teaching area in the Faculty of Education’s Secondary Curriculum should refer to this page.

Programs in Russian

Major

To be admitted to a Major Program, a student must have at least a C+ average in a minimum of 7.5 units of introductory courses. In the third and fourth years, the Major program consists of a minimum of 15 units at the 300 and 400 levels and must include one of RUSS 300A, 300B, 303, and in addition must include one of RUSS 308A, 308B. Students interested in pursuing a major in Russian Studies are advised to consult the department very early during their undergraduate studies, possibly in their first year of studies.

General and Minor Programs

Students wishing to take Russian Studies in one of these programs must take 7.5 units of introductory courses and 9 units at the 300 or 400 level, including at least one of RUSS 300A, 300B, 303.

Course Index