Russian and Eurasian studies majors study the Russian language, spoken worldwide by some 250 million people, while also acquiring a foundational knowledge of the history, culture, literature, politics, sociology, economics, and geography of the region. This degree program is flexible, enabling students to focus their interests in one of three concentrations: Russia studies, Russian language and culture, and Eurasia studies. Russian and Eurasian studies prepares students for a wide range of career options in the private sector, government, and education. All students have opportunities for research, global-engagement, public service, and career preparation.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete 33 credits in one of the concentrations available with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: LA-BA-REST

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree complete the requirements for one of the available concentrations.

Concentrations in the Major

Available Concentrations

Concentration in Eurasia Studies (EURS)

The Eurasia studies concentration is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary training in the study of Eurasia, with special focus on Central Asia and secondarily on Russia/the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Students will develop a high degree of competence in the history, politics, and culture of Eurasia and a basic competence in a relevant language.

Russian or Other Eurasian-Related Language
Select two courses of Russian or other Eurasian-related language6
Total Credits6

Courses used to meet this requirement may be in the same language that is used to meet the college language requirement, in which case the student needs to complete 6 credits beyond intermediate proficiency (beyond courses numbered 210 at Mason). With the approval of the director, courses used to meet this requirement may be in a Eurasian-related language that was not used to meet the college language requirement at a level approved by the director.

Social Science Courses at the 300- and 400-Level
Select two social science courses at the 300- and 400-level6
Total Credits6

Courses used to fulfill this requirement must focus primarily on Central Asia and Eurasia and may be in any social science discipline (ANTH, ECON, GGS, GOVT, SOCI).

History Courses at the 300- and 400-Level
Select two history courses at the 300- and 400-level6
Total Credits6

Courses used to fulfill this requirement must focus primarily on Central Asia and Eurasia.

Literature or Film Courses at the 300- and 400-Level
Select two literature or film courses at the 300- and 400-level6
Total Credits6

Courses used to fulfill this requirement must be related to Eurasia.

Courses at the 300- and 400-Level

Students choose from courses that focus predominantly on Eurasia. The courses used to meet this requirement may be in any field of study including special topics courses and other courses that deal primarily with the geographic areas covered in the Russian and Eurasian studies major. To use a special topics course or other course with variable content to meet this requirement, students should seek the advanced written approval of the director. (Special topics courses may be repeated for credit when the topic is different.) The following courses when the topic is relevant, among others, may be used to meet this requirement.

Select three courses at the 300- and 400-level from the following:9
Rise of Russia (Mason Core)
Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)
Topics in Global History (Mason Core)
Topics in European History
Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core)
RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core)
Politics of Eurasia
Central Asian Politics
Islam and Politics
Issues in International Studies
Revolution and International Politics
Topics in (Post) Soviet Film
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Economies in Transition (Mason Core)
Total Credits9

Concentration in Russia Studies (RUSS)

The Russia studies concentration is designed to provide students with in-depth interdisciplinary training in Russia and the Soviet Union. Students will develop a high degree of competence in Russian history, politics, society, and culture as well as a basic competence in the Russian language and the broader Eurasian context.

Required Language Courses

Other relevant advanced language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the director. Majors are encouraged to take additional advanced Russian language courses.

RUSS 202Intermediate Russian II3
RUSS 380Advanced Russian I3
Total Credits6
Russian or Soviet History

When the topic is relevant, HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core), HIST 388 Topics in European History, or HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the director.

Select two courses from the following:6
Stalinism
The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II
Rise of Russia (Mason Core)
Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)
Total Credits6
Social Sciences Dealing Primarily with Russia

Any topically appropriate courses in any social science discipline (ANTH, ECON, GGS, GOVT, SOCI) may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the director.

Select two courses from the following:6
Politics of Eurasia
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Economies in Transition (Mason Core)
Total Credits6
Russian Literature or Culture

Other relevant courses may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the director.

Select two courses from the following:6
Readings in Russian Literature
Contemporary Russian Short Fiction
Major Russian Writers (Mason Core)
19th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
20th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
Russian Civilization (Mason Core)
Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)
Total Credits6
Courses at the 300 and 400 Level

Students choose from courses that focus predominantly on Eastern Europe, Russia, or Central Asia. Courses used to meet this requirement may be in any field of study including special topics courses and other courses that deal primarily with the geographic areas covered in the Russian and Eurasian studies major. To use a special topics course or other course with variable content to meet this requirement, students should seek the advanced written approval of the director. (Special topics courses may be repeated for credit when the topic is different.) Examples of courses that may meet this requirement:

Select three courses from the following:9
Russian Conversation and Composition
Russian Advanced Conversation
Readings in Russian Literature
Contemporary Russian Short Fiction
Major Russian Writers (Mason Core)
19th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
20th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
Russian Civilization (Mason Core)
Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)
Advanced Russian II
Readings in the Social Sciences
Russian Drama and Theater
Russian Poetry
Topics in (Post) Soviet Film
Fourth-Year Russian
Fourth-Year Russian
Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core)
Nationalism in Eastern Europe
Rise of Russia (Mason Core)
Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)
Topics in Global History (Mason Core)
Topics in European History
RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core)
Dramatic Literature Seminar
Economies in Transition (Mason Core)
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Politics of Eurasia
Central Asian Politics
Issues in International Studies
Revolution and International Politics
Total Credits9

Concentration in Russian Language and Culture (RULC)

Students in the Russian language and culture concentration develop a high degree of competence in Russian language and culture and a basic familiarity with Russian and Eurasian history and politics.

Required Courses in Advanced Russian
RUSS 380Advanced Russian I3
RUSS 381Advanced Russian II3
RUSS 480Fourth-Year Russian3
or RUSS 481 Fourth-Year Russian
Total Credits9
Russian Culture or History
RUSS 353Russian Civilization (Mason Core)3
or HIST 328 Rise of Russia (Mason Core)
RUSS 354Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)3
or HIST 329 Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)
Total Credits6
Russian Literature or Cinema in Translation
Select two courses from the following:6
Major Russian Writers (Mason Core)
19th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
20th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
Topics in (Post) Soviet Film
Total Credits6
Courses Taught in Russian
Select three courses from the following:9
Russian Conversation and Composition
Russian Advanced Conversation
Readings in Russian Literature
Contemporary Russian Short Fiction
Readings in the Social Sciences
Russian Poetry
Fourth-Year Russian
Total Credits9
Social Sciences

Students choose from courses dealing with Russia. Any other topically appropriate course in a social science discipline (ANTH, ECON, GGS, GOVT, SOCI) may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the director.

Select one course from the following:3
Politics of Eurasia
Economies in Transition (Mason Core)
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Total Credits3

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in Russian and Eurasian studies may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing RUSS 302 Russian Conversation and Composition, RUSS 325 Major Russian Writers (Mason Core), or RUSS 407 Russian Drama and Theater.

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

Philosophy or Religious Studies
Select 3 credits from the following:3
1

Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:

  • PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory 
  • PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career 
  • PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics


Additionally, PHIL 253RELI 235RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 13
ANTH
CRIM
ECON
GOVT
HIST 2
LING
PSYC
SOCI
Or choose from the following GGS courses:
Major World Regions (Mason Core)
Human Geography (Mason Core)
Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies
Political Geography (Mason Core)
Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core)
Population Geography (Mason Core)
Economic Geography
Urban Geography
Geography of the United States
Geography of Latin America
Geography of Europe
Geography of North Africa and the Middle East
Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
Urban Planning
Geography of Virginia
1

The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. 

2

HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Foreign Language
Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence:
American Sign Language (ASL) I
American Sign Language (ASL) II
American Sign Language (ASL) III
1

Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Non-Western Culture

Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)

Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1
ANTH 114Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core)3
ANTH 300Civilizations3
ANTH 302Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ANTH 307Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core)3
ANTH 308Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core)3
ANTH 309Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core)3
ANTH 313Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core)3
ANTH 314Zombies3
ANTH 317East Asian Cultures3
ANTH 330Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western3
ANTH 332Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core)3
ANTH 381Medical Anthropology3
ANTH 396Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core)3
ARAB 360Topics in Arabic Cultural Production3
ARAB 365Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core)3
ARAB 420Survey of Arabic Literature3
ARAB 440Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core)3
ARTH 203Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 204Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 206Survey of African Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 317The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 318Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt3
ARTH 319Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core)3
ARTH 320Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core)3
ARTH 382Arts of India (Mason Core)3
ARTH 383Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 384Arts of China (Mason Core)3
ARTH 385Arts of Japan (Mason Core)3
ARTH 482RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core)3
CHIN 318Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core)3
CHIN 320Contemporary Chinese Film3
CHIN 325Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core)3
CHIN 470Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
DANC 118Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core)3
ECON 361Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ECON 362African Economic Development (Mason Core)3
FREN 454Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture3
GGS 101Major World Regions (Mason Core)3
GGS 316Geography of Latin America3
GGS 317Geography of China (Mason Core)3
GGS 325Geography of North Africa and the Middle East3
GGS 399Select Topics in GGS3
GOVT 332Politics of the Middle East and North Africa3
GOVT 333Politics of East Asia3
GOVT 338Politics of Eurasia3
GOVT 340Central Asian Politics3
GOVT 341Chinese Foreign Policy3
GOVT 345Islam and Politics3
GOVT 433Political Economy of East Asia3
HIST 251Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 252Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 261Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 262Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 271Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 272Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 281Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 282Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 326Stalinism3
HIST 327The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II3
HIST 328Rise of Russia (Mason Core)3
HIST 329Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)3
HIST 353History of Traditional China3
HIST 354Modern China (Mason Core)3
HIST 356Modern Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 357Postwar Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 358Post-1949 China (Mason Core)3
HIST 360History of South Africa (Mason Core)3
HIST 364Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 365Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 366Comparative Slavery3
HIST 377The Vietnam War (Mason Core)3
HIST 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
HIST 387Topics in Global History (Mason Core)3-6
HIST 461Arab-Israeli Conflict3
HIST 462Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core)3
HIST 465The Middle East in the 20th Century3
JAPA 310Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core)3
JAPA 340Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core)3
JAPA 380Japan in Motion3
KORE 300Korean Culture and Society3
KORE 320Korean Popular Culture in a Global World3
KORE 385Introduction to Korean Linguistics3
MUSI 103Musics of the World (Mason Core)3
RELI 211Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core)3
RELI 212Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core)3
RELI 312Islam (Mason Core)3
RELI 313Hinduism (Mason Core)3
RELI 314Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions3
RELI 315Buddhism (Mason Core)3
RELI 317Daoism3
RELI 318Korean Philosophy and Religions3
RELI 338Qur'an and Hadith3
RELI 342Comparative Study of Mysticism3
RELI 344Muhammad: Life and Legacy3
RELI 358Islamic Thought (Mason Core)3
RELI 367Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics3
RELI 368Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core)3
RELI 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
RELI 490Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core)3
RUSS 353Russian Civilization (Mason Core)3
RUSS 354Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)3
WMST 407Transnational Sexualities3
1

A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

  • VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
  • VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level)3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Global History3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level)3
Writing Intensive 23
Mason Apex 33
Total Credits40
1

In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.

2

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

3

Minimum 3 credits required.

Bachelor of Arts in Russian and Eurasian Studies Sample Plan of Study 

A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a general knowledge of area studies approaches to understanding the Russia/Eurasia region. This knowledge will include but is not limited to: literature and culture, history, and social sciences approaches to study of the region.
  • Write logically, clearly, concisely, and correctly in English in a variety of area studies fields related to the Russia/Eurasia region.
  • Analyze critically a variety of written, visual, and performance media related to the Russia/Eurasia region including but not limited to: primary and secondary historical sources, literature, visual arts, film, social science source material, etc.
  • Demonstrate oral language mastery at a minimum Level 2 (Intermediate Low) or in the Russian Language and Culture concentration a minimum level of 2+ (Intermediate High) on the proficiency scale developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) in speaking Russian or another Eurasia-related language.
  • Demonstrate reading language mastery at a minimum Level 2 (Intermediate Low) or in the Russian Language and Culture concentration a minimum level of 2+ (Intermediate High) on the proficiency scale developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) in reading Russian or another Eurasia-related language, a level sufficient to make use of original language materials (journals, newspapers, and so forth) for acquiring information and general research purposes.
  • Demonstrate written language mastery at a minimum Level 2 (Intermediate Low) or in the Russian Language and Culture concentration a minimum level of 2+ (Intermediate High) on the proficiency scale developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) in writing Russian or another Eurasia-related language.