Explore your interests in Russian at Lawrence.

Academic advising at Lawrence seeks to empower each student to craft and pursue a transformative liberal arts experience that prepares them for impactful and personally fulfilling lives. Faculty advisors support students in planning and achieving their educational goals, facilitate connections to campus resources and communities, and guide students to make informed decisions as they pursue their academic interests and aspirations. 

Course Planning for New and Exploring Students

Students interested in exploring the Russian Studies major should start either by taking the first-year Russian language sequence (RUSS 101, 102, 201) or by signing up for a class taught in English translation. We offer 300-level courses in translation, and all of them are open to everyone, including first-year students. In 2026-2027, we offer:
  • RUSS 335: Women and Gender in Russian Culture (Fall) - Dimensions of Diversity (D)
  • RUSS 315: Topic: Dostoevsky and Existentialism (Winter) - Writing Intensive (W)
  • RUSS 310:  Russia's Erotic Utopia (Spring) - Writing Intensive (W)
  • RUSS 330/MUCO 330: Russian Culture Through Music (Spring)

Language Placement

If a student has prior experience with Russian, students should take a language placement assessment to determine an appropriate starting point in the language sequence. There will be a proctored placement exam offered during Welcome Week in the fall and before Advance Registration in the spring. Students with prior experience in Russian can also contact the chair of the department, Professor Victoria Kononova, for a placement assessment.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Sample plans are examples of how you might organize your courses each term to complete your degree in four years. They are meant to guide your thinking — not serve as a fixed schedule. There are often many different ways to sequence your courses. 

Declare a Major/Minor

All students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year. Ideally, sophomore students will declare a major (and switch to an advisor in the major) before advance registration advising begins in spring term.

DECLARE A MAJOR/MINOR

Major Advising

All students will transition to a major advisor upon declaration. The major advisor will help students plan their coursework to satisfy requirements for the major, select courses in other areas to complement the major or satisfy personal interests, and prepare for their Senior Experience. Prospective Russian Studies majors can consult with any of the following Russian faculty about serving as a major advisor:

Add a Major Advisor

Need help identifying an advisor in the major? Students can contact advising@lawrence.edu for assistance with advisor matching.

Add a Major Advisor

Minor Advising

Students do not need an official advisor for the Russian minor. Instead, Russian minors are encouraged to consult with the department chair or other Russian faculty for advice on course selection and satisfying minor requirements.

Additional Student Resources

If you still have questions about advising support related to the Russian program, we invite you to contact the department chair. 

Contact the Russian Department Chair
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