The academic program features approximately twenty-four hours per week of in-class instruction; roughly six of which are dedicated to Russian-language study. All area studies classes are conducted in English.
Area studies courses are designed to give U.S. students an in-depth understanding of some of the most pressing issues currently affecting Russia, including the problems of organized crime and corruption, the conflict over Yukos oil, the war in Chechnya, the Putin presidency, and the emergence of new political parties. Coursework provides new perspectives on the complex historical and cultural trends that have shaped Russia in the 21st Century.
Russian language classes for students with no prior knowledge of Russian are designed to provide elementary speakers with a strong foundation in Russian grammar and phonetics along with essential conversation skills. Students with prior training in Russian are provided instruction at the appropriate level; the Contemporary Russia Program will be able to accommodate students of all proficiency levels. Russian language classes are conducted in small groups of three to five students.