College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies
www.kent.edu/mcls

About This Program

Explore the rich world of Russian literature and culture with Kent State's B.A. in Russian Literature, Culture and Translation program. Immerse yourself in Russian language, literature and culture while gaining valuable skills in translation and interpretation. Read more...

Contact Information

• Brian Baer | bbaer@kent.edu | 330-672-1813
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Applications to the B.A. in Russian Literature, Culture and Translation are not being accepted at this time.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

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Admission Requirements

Applications to the B.A. in Russian Literature, Culture and Translation are not being accepted at this time.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students who fulfill the language requirement in fewer than 14 credit hours as a result of starting their Russian studies in a course higher than RUSS 22202 will complete remaining credit hours with general electives. Students with previous Russian study or background knowledge should take the Russian Placement test and consult with a Russian faculty advisor for placement. Students lacking in sufficient major-level proficiency to take the first major course (RUSS 22201) can reach it by taking courses in the prerequisite sequence (RUSS 12201 and RUSS 12202). Students with sufficient Russian to place into higher semesters are not allowed to take RUSS 12201 or RUSS 12202.

²

Students must earn a minimum C grade in one course to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

³

Students planning to earn teaching licensure and declared in the Education minor should take MCLS 30420.

⁴

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Graduation Requirements

• All Russian Literature, Culture and Translation majors must take the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview, ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the Russian Outcomes Assessment Test prior to being cleared for graduation. Information about the exams can be found on the ACTFL website and the Language Testing International (LTI) website, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL. B.A. in Russian Literature, Culture and Translation candidates should consult with their designated Russian faculty advisor for more information on arranging to take the proficiency exams.

Program Note

• Some courses in the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies are offered on a rotating basis, and course availability may change at any time. Students should see the program coordinator or academic advisor for course planning.

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree* in the College of Sciences and Humanities must complete the following:

1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
2. One of the following options:
   1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
   2. Elementary I and II of a second language
   3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

*The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies is exempt from the foreign language requirement until fall 2028 due to its previous longstanding academic placement in the College of Communication and Information, which does not have a foreign language requirement.

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

1. Passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level
2. Receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University
3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Perform tasks at intermediate-high and advanced-low levels of proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Proficiency, in ACTFL terms, is understood to describe a range of qualities rather than an absolute norm and will vary according to task type, language function, topic, skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and so forth.
2. Contribute to most informal and some formal conversations with sufficient accuracy, clarity and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion.
3. Read a variety of texts written for native speakers of Russian and not edited or adapted for non-native speakers.
4. Compose routine social correspondence and write cohesive summaries, narratives and descriptions of a factual nature in Russian.
5. Demonstrate a historical knowledge of Russian history and culture and understand the diverse nature of culture throughout the ages.
6. Discuss cultural differences, distinguishing between fact, opinion and stereotype.
7. Communicate effectively and sensitively to diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
8. View concepts, issues, events and themes from the perspectives of diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
9. Maintain an ongoing assessment of their own cultural values and behaviors.

Program Policies

Foreign Language Requirements

In general, students may elect any foreign language taught through the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies. However, certain majors, concentrations and minors require specific languages or limit the languages from which students may choose. In addition, students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular languages for that study. In such cases, students should seek the advice of the appropriate department before selecting a language.

Progress Toward Fulfillment

College of Sciences and Humanities students are encouraged to begin meeting the foreign language requirement as early as possible in their program to ensure timely degree completion.

Mandatory Outcomes Assessment

In addition to the other General Requirements of the college, candidates for an undergraduate degree in the College of Sciences and Humanities are required, as a condition of graduation, to participate in an outcomes assessment. These outcomes assessments are conducted by each undergraduate degree program in the College of Sciences and Humanities.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Literature, Culture and Translation provides a basis for the development of professional-level proficiency in the Russian language, as well as comprehensive understanding of Russian literature and culture, including television and film. Additionally, students are introduced to basic skills for translating a variety of pragmatic texts from Russian into English. Students explore the language and culture of the pre-revolutionary Russian empire, the Soviet Union and contemporary post-Soviet Russia.