The Major in Russian Language and Literature offers an in-depth introduction to Russian language and culture. The broad variety of course offerings in literature, art, and linguistics provides the basis for a variety of options.

Students who intend to pursue a graduate career in literary or library science are advised to take courses on literature, media and culture.

Students who wish to enter such fields as political science, business, or economics, the teaching credential program, or a master's program with a teaching emphasis, should study political, linguistic and social issues of contemporary Russia.

Preparation for the major:
Slavic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or equivalent (with grades of C or higher). Students with proficiency in spoken Russian should not enroll in courses lower than Slavic 4. Recommended: Slavic 33, History 4A-B-C. Students transferring from other institutions may be tested for course placement. Note: Students who have completed a more advanced course in a lower-division sequential series will not be permitted to take a course that is lower in the series.

Upper-division major:
40 upper-division units, distributed as follows:

A. Three courses from Advanced Russian: Slavic 101A-B-C-D-E-F  (Note: courses that exceed the required 12 units are not applicable to Area F)

B. One course from Linguistics: Slavic 145, 152B 

C. One course from Literature taught in Russian: Slavic 121, 122, 124

D. One course from Visual Arts: Slavic 130A-B-C-D-E

E. One course from: History 135A-B-C, 191C; Political Science 128, 143

F. 12 units UD Slavic electives (a maximum of 6 units from Slavic 110A-B-C series may be applied to the UD major)

An UD Comparative Literature course taught by a Slavic faculty member may be used as 4 units of electives. Courses from other departments that deal with East-Central Europe or Russia, in areas such as Economics, Anthropology, Music and Film Studies, may be accepted for the major by petition (4 units maximum).

UCSB participates in the University of California Education Abroad Program through which UC students spend a semester in Moscow. Qualified students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity; financial assistance is available. Additional information is available in the department office. See Study Abroad page.