The
Russian and East European Studies curriculum is multidisciplinary,
incorporating offerings in history, Russian and East European
politics and sociology with Russian language, literature,
and culture courses (in the original and in translation).
A major in Russian and East European Studies can lead
to graduate work in any of the above-mentioned fields.
In recent years Oberlin REES majors have successfully
competed for entrance into graduate school and have found
careers in teaching, library science, government work,
medicine, law, international business, as well as in charitable
or non-profit organizations. A minor, focused on Eastern
Europe, is also offered and is described below.
The
Russian and East European Studies Curricular Committee
serves as the advisory board for the major. In 2001-2002
committee members include:
Stephen
Crowley, Politics
Arlene
Forman, Russian Language and Literature
Heather
Hogan, History
Shulamit
Magnus, Jewish Studies and History
Tom
Newlin, Russian Language and Literature
Tim
Scholl, Russian Language and Literature
Pamela
Snyder, Director of Foundation and Corporate Support
Laszlo
Scholz, Romance Languages (away Semester II)
Veljko
Vujacic, Sociology (on leave Semester I and II)
Suggested
Course Sequence. New students considering a major
should include an introductory survey course in Russian
history, politics, sociology, or literature in their first
semester. New students with or without previous language
training are encouraged to begin Russian language study
in the first semester as well. At the time of the declaration
of the major, students and their advisors will discuss
an appropriate area of focus for the major (e.g., chronological,
thematic, methodological, or disciplinary).
Placement.
Incoming students with previous training in Russian should
take the Placement Test to determine the level at which
study in Russian should be continued. Students beginning
at Oberlin can enroll in Russian 101 during the fall semester
or take the Winter Term Intensive Beginning Russian course.
Participation in a study abroad program is highly recommended,
as is membership in the Russian House.
Study
Abroad. A high priority of the program is to prepare
undergraduates for study in Russia or Eastern Europe.
Students interested in studying in Russia are encouraged
to apply to one of the following programs: (1) the Council
on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) semester
programs in Petersburg, (2) the Great Lakes Colleges Association
(GLCA) fall semester in Krasnodar, (3) the American Council
of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) semester programs in Petersburg
or Moscow (4) the School in Russia program in Voronezh,
Yaroslavl or Irkutsk or (5) the joint program offered
by the Moscow Institute of Social and Political Studies
and the International University of Moscow. Students interested
in studying in the Czech Republic can participate in semester
programs run by GLCA or CIEE. GLCA also offers a study
program in Poland. Students interested in studying in
Hungary may participate in the CIEE program in Budapest.
Over the past fifteen years more than one hundred of our
students have participated in one or more of these highly
selective programs. Credits are fully transferable to
Oberlin. For further information on these and other programs,
contact members of the REES Curricular Committee.
OCREECAS.
Created in 1998 through support from The Clowes Fund,
Inc. and a private donation, the Oberlin Center for Russian,
East European, and Central Asian Studies is designed to
promote greater awareness of the region in the Oberlin
community. The Center seeks to foster the development
of new curricula and to expand summer and post-graduation
internships, community service, study abroad, and employment
opportunities for students. OCREECAS has begun identifying
internship opportunities in Russia, Eastern Europe, and
Central Asia. The Center also seeks to enhance the Oberlin
curriculum through on-campus residencies by visiting scholars
and artists.
OCREECAS
Internships. Qualified juniors, seniors and recent
graduates interested in working in a service or non-profit
capacity in Russia, Eastern Europe or Central Asia are
encouraged to apply for OCREECAS grants-in-aid. For further
information contact the OCREECAS intern at 775-6358.
Major.
The major consists of two years of college-level Russian
(or the equivalent) plus a minimum of 30 hours, which
should be accumulated as follows:
Language
and Literature (14-16 hours): completion of the third
year of Russian language study (8 credits) with the remaining
credits chosen from literature, culture and film courses
taught by the Russian Department. A Russian course at
the 400 level is highly recommended. Private reading courses,
as a rule, do not apply to this category. Normally, up
to 8 hours in this category may be awarded for study abroad.
Social
Sciences (14-16 hours): completion of at least 14 credit
hours chosen from two or more disciplines from the following
list of core courses. Students are encouraged to take
at least 6 hours at the advanced level in history, politics
or sociology (e.g. 300, 400, or with permission, 900-level
courses). Normally, History 107/108 is the prerequisite
for advanced courses in Russian history, Politics 115
is the prerequisite for 300-level courses in politics,
and Sociology 124 is the prerequisite for advanced courses
in this area.
