Slavic Languages and Literature

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Programs of Study

The department offers programs of study in Slavic Languages and Literatures at the M.A. and Ph.D. levels, and a program in Contemporary Russian Studies at the M.A. level. The Slavic Languages and Literatures degree primarily involves courses in literature and language; courses are also available in linguistics and teaching pedagogy. Students pursuing Contemporary Russian Studies take courses in history, government, language, literature, folklore, and sometimes other fields.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts

Required of all candidates for the degree are 30 semester credits of course work at the 500 level or above, the passing of a proficiency examination in Russian, and the passing of a comprehensive examination. Students choosing the Contemporary Russian Studies option write a thesis (on which their comprehensive examination will be based), while students choosing Slavic Languages and Literatures submit a major research paper or research portfolio in lieu of a thesis. Thesis courses are normally offered during the academic year only. Details about additional requirements can be found at http://www.virginia.edu/slavic/acad_progs/ma_info.html.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidates must receive formal permission from the department before undertaking a course of studies leading to the Ph.D. degree; those entering with an M.A. from another university must also pass a qualifying examination during the first semester. In addition to the general University requirements for the Ph.D. degree, candidates must complete no fewer than 60 credits of graduate level courses (or 30 beyond the M.A.); pass a proficiency examination in Russian; demonstrate a reading knowledge of either French or German; demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second Slavic language; pass a written and oral comprehensive examination before undertaking the dissertation; submit and defend a dissertation proposal; and complete a dissertation. Details about additional requirements at http://www.virginia.edu/slavic/acad_progs/phd_info.html.

Course Descriptions

Prerequisites are noted for courses in language and linguistics. Prerequisites may vary from semester to semester and are therefore made known during course enrollment. Graduate standing is ordinarily prerequisite for courses at the 500 level and above.

Russian Language and Literature

RUSS 500 - Reading Techniques for Russian Newspapers and Periodicals Credits: 3
RUSS 501 - Readings in the Social Sciences Credits: 3
RUSS 502 - Advanced Proficiency Russian Credits: 3
RUSS 503 - Advanced Russian Credits: 3
RUSS 504 - Advanced Russian II Credits: 3
RUSS 505 - Advanced Conversation Credits: 1
RUSS 521 - The Structure of Modern Russian: Phonology and Morphology Credits: 3
RUSS 522 - The Structure of Modern Russian: Syntax and Semantics Credits: 3
RUSS 523 - History of the Russian Literary Language Credits: 3
RUSS 524 - History of the Russian Language Credits: 3
RUSS 550 - Russian Satire Credits: 3
RUSS 551 - Russian Drama and Theatre Credits: 3
RUSS 552 - The Rise of the Russian Novel, 1795-1850 Credits: 3
RUSS 553 - The Golden Age of Russian Poetry Credits: 3
RUSS 554 - Age of Realism, 1851-1881 Credits: 3
RUSS 555 - The Silver Age of Russian Poetry Credits: 3
RUSS 556 - Russian Modernism Credits: 3
RUSS 557 - Russian Formalism and Structuralist Poetics Credits: 3
RUSS 558 - Contemporary Russian Literature Credits: 3
RUSS 565 - Stylistics Credits: 3
RUSS 573 - Dostoevsky and the Modern Novel Credits: 3
RUSS 575 - Russian Poetry Credits: 3
RUSS 585 - Topics in Comparative Literature Credits: 3
RUSS 591 - Selected Topics in Russian Literature Credits: 3
RUSS 701 - Proseminar in Russian Literature Credits: 3
RUSS 702 - The Theory and Practice of Criticism Credits: 3
RUSS 729 - Medieval and 18th-Century Russian Credits: 3
RUSS 730 - Russian Literature of the Eighteenth Century Credits: 3
RUSS 731 - Pushkin Credits: 3
RUSS 732 - Gogol Credits: 3
RUSS 735 - Turgenev Credits: 3
RUSS 736 - Tolstoy Credits: 3
RUSS 738 - Chekhov Credits: 3
RUSS 773 - Graduate Seminar on Dostoevsky Credits: 3
RUSS 785 - The Russian and West European Novel: 1790-1880 Credits: 3
RUSS 791 - Seminar in Russian Studies Credits: 3
RUSS 793 - Independent Study in Russian Literature Credits: 1 to 4
RUSS 821 - Advanced Structure of Russian: Phonology and Morphology Credits: 3
RUSS 822 - Advanced Structure of Russian: Syntax and Semantics Credits: 3
RUSS 895 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 3

Slavic Languages and Literatures

SLAV 512 - Slavic Folklore and Oral Literature Credits: 3
SLAV 514 - Slavic Ritual Credits: 3
SLAV 533 - Topics in West Slavic Literatures Credits: 3
SLAV 536 - Slavic Mythology Credits: 3
SLAV 537 - South Slavic Folklore Credits: 3
SLAV 543 - Topics in South Slavic Literatures Credits: 3
SLAV 592 - Selected Topics in Slavic Linguistics Credits: 3
SLAV 710 - Topics in Slavic Civilization Credits: 3
SLAV 711 - Balkan Studies Credits: 3
SLAV 742 - Common Slavic Credits: 3
SLAV 743 - Old Church Slavonic Credits: 3
SLAV 793 - Independent Study in Slavic Linguistics Credits: 3
SLAV 851 - History and Structure of the East Slavic Languages Credits: 3
SLAV 853 - History and Structure of the South Slavic Languages Credits: 3
SLAV 854 - History and Structure of the West Slavic Languages Credits: 3
SLAV 861 - Seminar in Slavic Linguistics Credits: 3
SLAV 897 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research Credits: 3 to 12
SLAV 898 - Non-Topical Research Credits: 3 to 12
SLAV 997 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research Credits: 3 to 12
SLAV 999 - Non-Topical Research Credits: 3 to 12