Major and minor
The geopolitical significance of Russia cannot be overstated, and Russian has been designated a Critical Language by the U.S. Department of State. Knowing Russian gives students a distinct career advantage in many fields, including foreign affairs, international diplomacy, law, technology, politics, journalism, and health care. The Sacramento area is home to nearly 100,000 residents of the former Soviet Union, making Russian an important language for our region as well.
The Russian major not only provides an opportunity for proficiency and literacy in the Russian language but also exposes students to the richness of Russian literature and culture, from the classic nineteenth-century novels to contemporary films and rock music. Russia has an enormously rich cultural tradition—think Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Shostakovich and Eisenstein!—and a fascinating history.
Real World Outcomes
Knowledge of Russian provides a powerful career advantage in many fields, including international affairs, technology, law, health care, politics, diplomacy, and journalism. The Russian major is highly flexible and can be tailored to a students' career interests. The program also prepares students for graduate studies and academic careers in international relations, education, politics, history, linguistics, or literature/culture.
Requirements
As a Russian major, you will begin with a series of progressive language courses designed to teach you to read, write and speak Russian in two years. Your upper-division courses will include more advanced language instruction; culture and literature courses; and optional courses in Russian history or politics taught by our Russian Program affiliates in Political Science and History.
