A Guide for Community College Students

 

A 2 + 2 Plan Leading

 

to a Bachelor of Arts

 

Degree in Russian

 

 

All degree requirements are subject to the provisions and notices in the Undergraduate Catalog.  Information is valid through August 2010.

 

 

B.A. Degree in Russian

 

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers major programs leading to the B.A. degree in Russian with two emphases available: one in language and literature and one in Russian Studies.  The department also offers a minor in Russian.  The Russian program offers small classes and individualized attention.  The major in language and literature can lead to graduate studies or to careers in the teaching profession, translation, government work (Department of State, Foreign Service, United States Information Agency, Immigration and Naturalization Service), journalism, travel and tourism, and import/export.  Students who are planning on completing a major in Russian studies can anticipate the following career possibilities:  Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Peace Corps, International Relations, broadcasting or graduate school.

 

*Students majoring in one foreign language may complete a second major in another language.

 

*Foreign language majors may complete minors in languages other than that of their major.

 

*The department also participates in the interdisciplinary minors in classical studies, comparative literature, Latino and Latin American studies, linguistics, Southeast Asian studies, women’s studies, and Chinese/Japanese studies.

 

Recommendation:  Majors in Russian are encouraged to participate in an approved summer language program or a study travel program in Russia.

 

Language Learning Center

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures’ Language Learning Center is a fully integrated multimedia facility, with multi-standard capability.  The system integrates all media sources.  Audio, video, and data signals are linked together in a multifunctional learning environment.  The media center is a means of enhancing classroom instruction and assists in creating a motivating atmosphere where students are stimulated to take an active part in learning the four language skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing.  Students are exposed to a variety of native speakers and are able to work as a class with the instructor, in small groups, or individually.  The Language Learning Center is state-of-the-art, equipped with an array of the latest and most up-to-date software and hardware, including software for virtual tape recorders and even for taking student attendance.

 

Foreign Language Residence Program

The Foreign Language Residence Program (FLRP) is a residential language program in Douglas Hall for students interested in maintaining and/or improving their foreign language proficiency and cultural awareness.  Native speakers of French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish are in residence to serve as cultural resources and to provide tutoring.

 

Roommates and other participants communicate in the foreign languages once they enter the realm of the Foreign Language Residence Program.  At dinner, from Monday to Thursday, participants gather at individual language tables to socialize in the foreign language with fellow participants as well as foreign languages department faculty and other international guests.

 

Participants come together the weekend before the fall semester opens to make acquaintances and to orient themselves to the special atmosphere of this unique program.  Two additional weekends, one each semester, of intense interaction among participants are held at a nominal cost to the student at NIU’s Lorado Taft Field Campus.  One evening meeting per week, per language group, is held to learn more about the culture and customs of the foreign land.  Each semester participants invite parents and other guests to share an ethnic meal and to be entertained at a program highlighting their language skills and their understanding of the foreign customs.

 

Transferring to NIU

Those students planning on completing their degrees at NIU should work closely with the counselors at the transfer institution and with faculty advisers at NIU from the time of matriculation.  Students need to be very careful to take in the first two years at the community college the courses that they would be taking if attending Northern.  Students should carefully follow the suggested semester plans for their major, referring to the Articulation Handbook for the community college equivalent of the courses delineated.  Their adviser at the community college can help them with this process.

 

 

Suggested Semester Plan


Fall







Spring




ENGL 103

3

 

ENGL 104

3

FLRU 101/102/201/2021

3

 

FLRU 102/201/202

3

MATH Core2

3-4

 

Humanities Gen Ed

3

Humanities Gen Ed

3

 

Social Science Gen Ed

3

Soc. Science Gen Ed

        3

 

Science Gen Ed

    3-4

 

15-16




 

15-16




 







 

COMS 100

3

 

FLRU 202

3

FLRU 201/202

3



Minor3

3-4

Minor3

3-4

 

Science Gen Ed

3-4

Humanities Gen Ed

3

 

Interdisciplinary Gen Ed

3

Social  Science Gen Ed

       3

 

Elective

       3




15-16

 




15-17

 

 













FLRU 301

3

 

FLRU 311

3

FLRU 321

3

 

FLRU 400 level

3

Major 300/400 level4

6

 

Major 300/400 level

6

Elective 300/400 level

0-3

 

Elective 300/400 level

0-3

Electives (any level)

    0-6

 

Electives

   0-6





15-18







15-18

 

 




 

 

FLAL 400

1

 

 

 

Major 300/400 level

6

 

Major 300/400 level

6

Elective 300/400 level

0-3

 

Elective 300/400 level

0-3

Electives (any level)

   5-8

 

Electives (any level)

   6-9




12-18







12-18

 

 

Minimum 120 total; 40 at the 300-400 level

 

1 Previous foreign language background may reduce or fulfill this requirement.  Students should meet

  with the division coordinator of German, Slavic, classical, and Asian languages for testing and placement

  in order to begin their study at the appropriate level.  Transfer students with college-level credit in Russian,

  who wish to continue in the language, should register for the course that follows the highest level course for

  which transfer credit has been granted.

2 Majors in Russian may use MATH 101 to fulfill the core competency requirement in mathematical sciences.

  If the student prefers another course, the student must take the Math Placement Test.

3 A minor is strongly recommended.

4 Majors in Russian language and literature must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of 400-level Russian

  courses.  Majors in Russian studies must complete a minimum of 3 semester hours of 400-level Russian courses

  and 21 semester hours chosen from specific courses in economics, history, and political science, with at least one

  course from each department.

 

 

For More Information

For more information about the Russian program at NIU, please contact:

 

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, Illinois 6015-2854

(815)753-6451

 

 

For a current NIU Undergraduate Catalog and application materials, contact:

 

Office of Admissions
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois 60115­-2857
(800) 892­-3050 (toll-free in Illinois)
or (815) 753-­0446

www.niu.edu/admissions

 

 

 

Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status based on the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. Further, the Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University provides for equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation, and sexual orientation.

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