The semester and academic year curriculum offers Russian language and elective courses as well as internships for qualified students.
Language courses are held at Moscow State University (MSU).
Elective courses may be held off-campus.
Russian language courses are 4 to 12 credits, depending on term and level (each course is 60 to 240 contact hours).
All other courses are 3 credits (each course is 40 to 45 contact hours) and taught in English.
Students can enroll in up to 18 credits per semester.
Program transcripts are issued by KEI's university of record (accredited in the USA).
Course Selection
Russian Language is required
Russian Studies Seminar is required
Students can enroll in up to 3 elective courses.
Select courses from the list below.
Choose at least 3 alternate courses in case of cancellation or scheduling conflicts.
Note that KEI may change course offerings.
Contact a KEI Advisor for the most update list of courses.
Coordinate your course selection with a KEI Advisor and the study abroad office at your school.
COURSES & DESCRIPTIONS
Click on a course title to view the description and download the syllabus.
Business, Law & Diplomacy Courses BUS/ECO/POL 342 Political Economy of Russia
This course introduces students to the political economy of Russia, and to a lesser extent, of the other states of the ex-Soviet Union. "Political economy" refers to a strongly interactive process of economic factors driving political decision-making, and political decision-making determining the development of national economic factors. The course begins with an examination of the Command-Administrative Economy of the USSR and an analysis of its structure. Building on this, it proceeds to an examination of perestroika. The major portion of the course is an examination of the policies of the post-Soviet government with a focus on current policies.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
BUS/ECO 534 Russian Business Practice
This course examines economic, political, cultural and demographic conditions and trends that influence business practices and investments in Russia. The course will identify issues managers face in developing countries in key business areas, including finance, marketing, personnel management and organization, production and governmental relations.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
POL 335 Russian Political System
This course provides an overview of contemporary Russian politics and government. Students will explore Russia’s main political and legal structures; learn about economic reforms and challenges, as well as domestic and foreign policy. The first part of the course (three lectures) provides a brief survey of Russian Imperial and Soviet history and introduces historical legacies that play an important role in Russian politics today. In the second part of the course we will explore in depth contemporary Russia’s political, economic and legal structures and challenges as well as the country’s efforts to find its new place in the world.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
POL 435 Legal Structure in Russia
The goal of this course is to provide an understanding of Russia’s current legal and political system. Topics include the influence of poverty and wealth on the legal and political system, rise of capitalism and its effect on politics, legal and political reforms under the Gorbachev, Yeltzen and Putin administrations, and intellectual property rights.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
POL/BUS 420 Research with Faculty
Students conduct independent research projects under the supervision of MSU faculty. Emphasis is placed on inquiry-based learning and report writing.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
POL/BUS 421 Professional Internship
Students participate in a professional internship at a company, not-for-profit organization or law firm. Internship positions include, but not limited to, business (accounting, finance, marketing, etc.), international relations and law. Internships are supervised by MSU faculty and/or KEI Program Coordinator. Credit is awarded based on satisfactory completion of work and academic expectations, including a daily journal and final paper. One credit hour is awarded for every 40 work hours.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
Russian Language & Culture Courses ART/LIT/SOC/HIS/POL/ECO 381 Russian Studies Seminar
A survey course of Russian society and culture. The course objective is to understand the development of the Russian culture over the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
LAN 101 Russian Language (Beginner I)
This course aims to help the student to acquire some knowledge of basic Russian, so that s/he can communicate with Russians, using basic vocabulary and grammar to express him/herself.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: none
LAN 102 Russian Language (Beginner II)
This course includes more advanced grammatical structures. Elementary vocabulary is expanded to further develop communicative skills.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 101 or equivalent
LAN 201 Russian Language (Intermediate I)
This course aims to help the students enhance their knowledge of Russian language and expand their vocabulary.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 102 or equivalent
LAN 202 Russian Language (Intermediate II)
Students taking this course will be able to improve their knowledge of Russian grammar, expand their vocabulary and learn different styles of expression. They will become acquainted with the highlights of classical and modern Russian literature.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 201 or equivalent
LAN 301 Russian Language (Advanced)
This course suits the needs of students who would like to achieve proficiency in communicative skills, to master grammar and to enrich their vocabulary. It is also for teachers of Russian as a foreign language who want to improve their professional competence.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 202 or equivalent
LIT 223 Russian Literature
A survey of 19th century through contemporary Russian literature, including major works by Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Babel, Olesha and Zamiatin. Along with issues of narrative technique and style, the course also deals with some of the central questions of the Russian literary tradition: Russia's relation to the East and West, the problem of the "superfluous man," the generation gap between "fathers and sons," the nature of the "moral life," the feasibility of radical social change, issues of the "new man" and "new woman," the role of the intellectual in the "new world."
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
ART 266 Russian Art
Examination of the art of Russia, from icons of the 12th century to contemporary art. Particular attention is given to understanding this art in its cultural and historical context and to the elucidation of the Russian tradition as a part of European art history. Artists discussed include Rublev, Repin, Petrov-Vodkin, Malevich, and Goncharova.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
COM 340 Mass Media in Russia
Introduces the student to the history and development of the various mass media in Russia, including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, with emphasis on news media. Students also discuss current issues and trends within the context of the new communications environment created by digital information technologies. Attention is given to the role of advertising, public relations, media ownership, and the public in shaping the content of mass communication.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
HIS 371 Russian History
Russian history is a long story about the struggles of the Russian people to create a state that clearly represents the objectives of all the people not simply a small group that is privileged. From tsarist times through the Soviet period and to the present day Russian history is complicated. Historians for two generations asked "Why Revolution?", "Why Lenin?", "Why Stalin?" and wrote volumes on those subjects. Russian history is much more than leaders and their personalities. The Russian people have been resilient through centuries of chaos, wars, famines and revolution. It is a history rich in culture and texture far different from America's. Russian history is a complex story that has been greatly debated and contested in the west for the past fifty years. We will sample the different interpretations, primary documents and some literature to discuss the evolution of Russia in the twentieth century. Come with enthusiasm and all will be well.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
HIS 304 Russian Intellectual History
During the last two centuries, Russian thinkers and writers have been preoccupied with utopian visions about human life in modernity and about their country’s place in the modern world. At the center of their searchings were questions such as: What is the human person? How can an ideal and just society be organized? What path of development should Russia take? Should it follow the example of Western Europe and the United States or is it a civilization of its own? Should the country be shaped according to the ideologies of liberalism, nationalism, socialism, or the teachings of the Russian Orthodox Church? This course examines how famous Russian intellectuals tried to answer these questions. It focuses on key works by such Russian writers and thinkers as Nikolai Chernyshevskii, Fedor Dostoevsky, Aleksandr Bogdanov, Evgenii Zamiatin and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The course will also explore how Russian intellectual discourses of the past shape and influence controversies about Russian politics and cultural identity in our own time.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
XXX 421 Community Internship
Students participate in a community internship at a non-governmental-organization (NGO) or volunteer organization. Internships are supervised by MSU faculty and/or KEI Program Coordinator. Credit is awarded based on satisfactory completion of work and academic expectations, including a daily journal and final paper. One credit hour is awarded for every 40 work hours.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
For Summer 2012, KEI is offering a special 1-month program focusing on the Russian elections and Russian language.
The curriculum is organized into seminars that examine the influence of politics, economics and media in the election process.
Professional visits to government, political and media organizations are an integral part of the curriculum.
Cultural excursions and visits compliment the coursework.
Students enroll in the Russian Elections: Politics, Economics & Media and Russian Language for a total of 6 credits.
POL/ECO/COM 305 Russian Elections: Politics, Economics & Media
An intensive four-week course detailing the social forces shaping Russia's political scene and how politics may impact Russian society after the elections of 2011 and 2012.
What issues resonate with Russian voters? Who are Russia's major political parties and what are their stances on these issues? How does Russia's government work and what impact does it have on Russia's economy? What is the role of the media in Russian society and Russian politics? How will the results of the latest Duma and Presidential elections likely affect Russian politics, society, and the economy?
By combining lectures and readings, an intensive schedule of professional and cultural site visits, and discussions with local Russians, this seminar seeks to give students a wider, fuller, first-hand perspective on Russia to help prepare them for future careers in government, business, or academia.
Prerequisites: none
LAN 101 Russian Language (Beginner I)
This course aims to help the student to acquire some knowledge of basic Russian, so that s/he can communicate with Russians, using basic vocabulary and grammar to express him/herself.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: none
LAN 102 Russian Language (Beginner II)
This course includes more advanced grammatical structures. Elementary vocabulary is expanded to further develop communicative skills.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 101 or equivalent
LAN 201 Russian Language (Intermediate I)
This course aims to help the students enhance their knowledge of Russian language and expand their vocabulary.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 102 or equivalent
LAN 202 Russian Language (Intermediate II)
Students taking this course will be able to improve their knowledge of Russian grammar, expand their vocabulary and learn different styles of expression. They will become acquainted with the highlights of classical and modern Russian literature.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 201 or equivalent
LAN 301 Russian Language (Advanced)
This course suits the needs of students who would like to achieve proficiency in communicative skills, to master grammar and to enrich their vocabulary. It is also for teachers of Russian as a foreign language who want to improve their professional competence.
4-12 credits. Prerequisites: LAN 202 or equivalent
Internships are available on a limited basis to qualified students.
Placements are possible in management, finance, accounting, law, public relations, humanitarian aid and medicine.
Internships require a minimum commitment of 120 hours, term paper and regular meetings with an internship supervisor.
Placement
Placement is based on personal interest, availability of positions and proficiency in Spanish.
A limited number of positions is available in English.
Students who speak Russian at the intermediate or advanced level have more options.
Previously students were placed at the following companies and organizations.
Actual placement may be different, depending on your interests, needs and availability of positions.
Niola Press
World Youth Alliance
Center for Interethnic Cooperation
Shalemch & Gonchurov Group
Russian Space Program
Kremlin Hospital
Credit
Credit for internships is awarded based on the number of contact hours.
In general, 1 credit is awarded for every 35 to 40 hours.
A minimum commitment of 120 hours (3 credits) is required.
Expectations
Organizations and companies in Russia do not have a developed internship culture.
In addition, fewer companies are seeking interns due to the current economic recession.
This, in turn, means that competition for placement is quite stiff.
Internships take time to organize and most companies require an in-person interview.
For these reason internships in Moscow can not be guaranteed.
As an intern in Moscow, you should expect to straddle the line between a student and a professional.
Interns are expected to function independently, often with little guidance.
You should be aware of the differences between Russian and American corporate/professional culture, and be able to articulate these differences when they become concrete realities for you.
Learn more about internship guidelines...
