Russian is the world’s 8th most spoken language and is spoken by over 144 million people in nine different countries. A gateway to learning about fascinating literary and cultural heritage, Russian is also a strategically important language for many fields, including air and space, information technology, nuclear studies, security studies, and many others.
MIT’s Russian program offers instruction in the beginning and intermediate levels of language and culture, as well as courses in Russian literature, history, and political science. The Russian program’s goals are to prepare students to communicate effectively with native speakers as well as to acquaint them with Russian culture and civilization, and in this way prepare them to function successfully in a Russian-speaking environment. Students can fulfill their HASS concentration in Russian language or Russian and Eurasian Studies, as well as pursue a minor in Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Fall 2020
All 21G subjects in Fall 2020 will be offered remotely, with synchronous class meetings in Zoom.
21G.611 Russian I
21G.613 Russian III
21G.S01 Special Topics in Russian: Russian for Scientists and Engineers
Introduces basic vocabulary in different fields of science and engineering (math, physics, chemistry, biology, aerospace, internet technologies), as well as the foundational skills of professional communication. Explores contributions of Russian scientists and inventors, from periodic law, first space flight, Tetris and Google to recent award-winning discoveries in mathematics and physics. Enables students to create a video of a mini-lesson or a demonstration of a scientific concept, and to make a presentation on a topic of professional interest. Course materials combine readings, interviews, TEDex talks by Russian scientists, and project-based tasks. Taught in Russian. Open to advanced students of Russian and heritage speakers (prerequisites: Russian IV or instructor’s permission).
21G.085 Imperial and Revolutionary Russia: Culture and Politics, 1700-1917
Looking ahead:
Spring 2020
21G.612 Russian II
21G.614 Russian IV
21G.077/618 Introduction to the Classics of Russian Literature
21G.014 Introduction to Russian Politics and Society (3-unit "Discovery" Subject)
*Taught in English with additional readings and a short writing project in Russian under 21G.618 (13 units).
A note regarding the enrollment policy of the Global Languages section: Enrollment limited to 18 for pedagogical reasons. Preference will be given to pre-registered students, including pre-registered undergraduates who were cut from the same class the previous semester due to the enrollment cap. Please note that you have to attend the first day of class to maintain your preference level. In case of over-enrollment, preference will be given in the following order: declared majors, declared minors, declared concentrators, first-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.
