Russian 103 and 104 offer additional instruction in grammar and provide extensive practice in reading and conversation. Russian 201 and 202 aim to develop facility in speaking, writing, and reading. Russian 302 combines advanced language study with the examination of various topics in Russian culture. The Department strongly encourages students desiring to attain fluency in Russian to spend a semester or year studying in Russia or one of the former Soviet republics.
Students generally apply to one of several approved foreign study programs.
Russian 104 or the equivalent and junior standing are normally prerequisite for study abroad. The Department regularly offers courses on Russian literature in translation for those students who have little or no knowledge of Russian, but who wish to become acquainted with the major achievements in Russian literary and cultural history. To enhance a student's educational and professional profiles, the Certificate in Russian offers a useful tool for using the language in a wide variety of disciplines. The sequence of language and culture courses is designed to supplement a student's major at Williams by enabling the student to expand his or her knowledge in a related field. The course of study for the certificate gives credit for Russian 101 and 102, which do not count toward the major.