Facets of Contemporary Russia: Language, Culture, Geopolitics 

Online Program Dates: July 5 - August 5, 2021

16 academic hours per week, 64 hours total

Four weeks of academic instruction; fifth week for course completion

Four credits awarded by Bard College

Language Requirement: 2-6 semesters of college-level Russian (this program is not intended for students with advanced language proficiency)

Bard College is excited to announce a new online summer Russian program to be held this July. The program Facets of Contemporary Russia: Language, Culture, Geopolitics will combine language study, close interaction with Russian peers from Smolny College, and academic components taught in English touching on contemporary geopolitical issues and cultural trends relating to Russia. Optional activities will include a virtual Language Cafe, excursions and other interactive activities. The program is open to beginner and intermediate students with at least two semesters of college-level Russian interested in enhancing language skills and fluency while learning more about present day Russia and Eurasia. 

The four-week program will be divided between 8 academic hours of Russian instruction and four hours each of the culture and geopolitics components weekly. The language portion will stress oral and written communication skills, listening comprehension, reinforcement of grammar concepts and vocabulary acquisition. With the participation of peers from Smolny College, students will have the chance to practice language with native speakers and learn more about life in St. Petersburg and Russia. Participants will be placed into language sections based on proficiency levels.   

The academic components will touch on salient contemporary issues such as: Russian and Eurasian politics, the migrant community in Russia, independent Russian media, art trends, contemporary Russian film and popular music. To augment the learning experience, program faculty will regularly be joined by expert guest speakers. Overlap and intersection between the three components (language, culture, geopolitics) will tie the course together as a cohesive whole.
Participants will be required to complete daily homework and readings. One grade will be awarded for all course components; finals may include a language exam and academic papers written in English.   

Additionally, program participants will have the opportunity to further enhance their conversational skills in Russian by attending the optional Language Café with native speakers held daily. Online excursions in English will take place weekly to introduce students to famous sites, landmarks and museums in St. Petersburg. Other optional activities may include trivia and cooking classes. 

Cost: $800

For more information, contact Caroline Clark, Bard-Smolny program coordinator: caclark@bard.edu