Language courses are taught by two faculty members, who are assisted by a visiting Russian scholar. Students who major in Russian Studies are encouraged to study the Russian language in Russia for at least one term. In recent years a number of Washington and Lee students have also enrolled directly in universities in St. Petersburg and Moscow for a term or an entire academic year. For the exceptional student, there is also an honors program requiring a thesis based upon original research. The Russian Studies major requires the completion of a total of at least 31 course credits, not including Russian language courses at the 100 and 200 level.
Most courses grant three credits.
The remaining 12 credits are chosen from other Russian Studies courses not used to satisfy the above requirements. Listed below are all of the courses offered at Washington and Lee that confer Russian Studies credit. All courses grant three credits unless otherwise indicated. All other courses are taught in one term. A few are offered only in alternating years.