The Russian and East European Studiestrack of International Studies combines language expertise, cultural understanding, disciplinary specialization, and interdisciplinary study. An integral part of the program is also study abroad in Russia on one of Middlebury's Programs in Russia at Irkutsk, Moscow, Yaroslavl, or Voronezh.
Requirements for International Studies majors following the Russian and East European Studies track
• Core: Two International Studies core courses. These courses include: Economics 140, Geography 100 or 110, History 101, 102, 105, Literature 101, Political Science 103 or 201, Sociology/Anthropology 103, or 304, Theatre 244 & others to be added. The two core courses should not be in the same discipline.
• Language/Culture: Language competency: satisfactory completion of at least second- and preferably third-level Russian or the Russian School equivalent.
• Regional specialization: Three courses in three different departments. Among the courses that can fulfill this requirement are: Economics 230, 330, Geography 222, History 233, 247, 248, Political Science 227, 228, Russian 122, 151, 152, 231, 234, 251, 255, 351, 352, 354, Sociology-Anthropology 338.
• Disciplinary specialization: Five courses or more in a single department. At least one of these five courses must be an upper-level seminar. At least two of the courses must have substantial Russian/East European-related content. If such Russian/East European content courses cannot be taken at Middlebury, students may take these courses while abroad. Individual departments will specify which courses must be taken to fulfill this requirement, in consultation with the program director.
• Study abroad: preferably for a year but at least for one semester, on one of the four Middlebury programs in Russia at Irkutsk, Moscow, Voronezh or Yaroslavl State Universities. Students must receive approval from the relevant departments and the director of Russian and East European Studies to receive major credit for courses taken abroad.
• Senior program:
1) A senior international studies seminar that is thematic, interdisciplinary and/or cross-regional, and team-taught.
2) An upper-level course, preferably two, in Russian that will be taken after returning from abroad. The Russian department will determine which courses can be taken to fulfill this requirement in consultation with the program director.
Students may also elect to write a thesis during their senior year. Honors will be awarded to students with at least a 3.3 average in Russian and East European studies courses and a grade of B+ or better on the thesis; high honors will be awarded to students with at least a 3.5 average in Russian and East European studies courses and a grade of A- or better on the thesis; and highest honors will be awarded to students with an average of 3.7 or better in Russian and East European studies courses and a grade of A on the thesis.
Click here for a description of the IS major requirements.
Click here to see to International Studies Major introduction