The rich combination of resources for Russian study available through Middlebury has made it one of the best known Russian programs among American liberal arts colleges. Not only is there a Russian Department, which teaches Russian language, literature, and culture, but the Russian & East European Studies Program offers courses in History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, and Sociology of Russia and Eastern Europe. Most Middlebury students attend one of the College's three Schools in Russia for one or two semesters, and many also take advantage of the intensive immersion program of the summer Russian School.
The Middlebury Russian Department is well known and highly regarded for language instruction. All members of the department are dedicated to teaching language at all levels. But they are also specialists in literature, film, culture, and literary translation. Courses are taught both in English and in Russian. Small class sizes and a talented faculty make it possible for students to graduate from Middlebury with a higher level of proficiency than many graduate students. Most students return from Russia and take a seminar conducted entirely in Russian. Senior seminar topics have included Pushkin, the Russian media, Nabokov, and Bulgakov.
REES
Russian and East European Studies (an International Studies track) combines language expertise, cultural understanding, disciplinary specialization, and interdisciplinary study. Middlebury currently offers courses in History, Economics, Literature, Political Science, Geography, and Sociology of Russia and Eastern Europe. These help round out the students' overall knowledge of the region. An integral part of the program is also study abroad in Russia on one of Middlebury's Schools in Russia.
Programs Abroad
Middlebury is unique among liberal arts colleges in offering programs at three different universities in Russia. Students can study one semester or a full year in Moscow, Irkutsk or Yaroslavl (or a combination of two). All instruction is conducted in Russian. Students attend courses specifically designed for Middlebury College and also have the option to take coursework at the host university with Russian students. In addition, our students have the opportunity to pursue an internship in a variety of fields. Resident Coordinators oversee the daily operation of the programs at the Russian host campuses, and, depending on the site, students live in dorms or with host families.
Language School
The summer Russian School has been offering excellent language and culture instruction in Russian in an intensive immersion setting for over 50 years. It is widely recognized as one of the best Russian language programs in the world. While it is not required, most Middlebury students opt to study in the Russian School 9 week session before their junior year abroad.