BA in Russian and Eurasian Studies

Russia and the countries of Eurasia have been, and will continue to be, of paramount importance to U.S. national interests. This region is the source of world-class literature and some of the finest traditions in the visual and performing arts. Immigration from this region has brought to the U.S. outstanding artists, dancers, musicians, writers, scientists, athletes, and entrepreneurs, whose innovative influences reach deep into American cultural life. 

In this major, you will take courses with professors who are recognized experts in their fields. You will 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. Mason’s degree program is notably flexible, enabling you to focus your interests in one of three concentrations: Russia Studies, Russian Language and Culture, and Eurasia Studies.

Mason’s proximity to Washington, DC makes it a great place for you to study Russia and Eurasia. Mason students have held internships in several agencies and organizations, including the Department of State, Institute of World Politics, Library of Congress, American Councils for International Education, and the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

We encourage our students to apply for competitive scholarships to support study abroad and have had many receive prestigious scholarships, including the Critical Language Scholarship, Fulbright-Hays awards, and the Boren Scholarship.

This major prepares you for a wide range of career options in the private sector, government, and education. Our graduates are employed in U.S. firms that sell goods and services to Russia, in political consulting firms, technology companies, in environmental organizations, and in many agencies of the U.S. government.  Other graduates have continued their education in graduate school or law school. 

  • The Russian Language and Culture concentration emphasizes courses in the Russian language, literature, culture, and civilization, with a small number of courses required in history and the social sciences. This concentration offers four years of Russian and is designed for students whose primary focus is on developing advanced proficiency in the Russian language.
  • The Russia Studies concentration emphasizes courses on the history, culture, cinema, politics, and sociology of Russia and the former Soviet Union, and requires fewer courses in Russian language.
  • The Eurasia Studies concentration emphasizes courses on the history and politics of the countries of Central Asia, of the Caucasus region, and the countries of Eastern Europe. The language requirement in this concentration is similar to Russia Studies, but allows the option of substituting a relevant Eurasian language for Russian.

Opportunities

All students have opportunities for research, global-engagement, public service, and career preparation.

  • Improve your language and cultural understanding by studying abroad. Read more >>
  • Gain valuable career preparation through an internship at places such as:
    • the American Councils for International Education and the Library of Congress
    • the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State
    • the Library of Congress and the American Bar Association
    • Central Intelligence Agency and the Fund for Democracy and Development

Tags:

Russia And Soviet Union Eurasia