Russian and East European Studies, BA
The major in Russian and East European Studies (12 c.u.) offers an interdisciplinary framework for exploring the languages, literatures, cultures, histories, and societies of Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the Balkan and Baltic regions. Students fulfill the language requirement by studying any language of the region offered at Penn, and the major’s flexible structure allows for focused study across different periods, places, and disciplines. Coursework spans the humanities and social sciences, and students are encouraged to incorporate a summer or semester of study abroad to strengthen their language skills and gain firsthand experience in the region. An honors option is available for qualified students pursuing independent research.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 32. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://rees.sas.upenn.edu/undergraduate
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
Language Prerequisite: 4 semesters or equivalent | ||
| Major Requirements 2,3,4 | ||
| The REES major currently requires 12 courses beyond the basic language requirement of 4 semesters or equivalent. | ||
| Introductory Core | 1 | |
| Central and Eastern Europe: Cultures, Histories, Societies | ||
or REES 0011 | The Power of Language: A Linguistic History of Central and Eastern Europe | |
Or, any course numbered REES 0000-0099 | ||
| Historical Foundations | 1 | |
| Portraits of Old Rus: Myth, Icon, Chronicle | ||
| Portraits of Tsarist Russia: Intrigue, Innovation, Institution | ||
| The Rise and Fall of the Russian Empire, 1552-1917 | ||
| The Soviet Century, 1917-1991 | ||
| National Antiquities: Genealogies, Hagiographies, Holy Objects | ||
Or, any course with attribute REES Historical Foundations | ||
| Literary Traditions | 1 | |
| Portraits of Russian Society: Art, Fiction, Drama | ||
| Russia and the West | ||
| Masterpieces of 19th-Century Russian Literature | ||
| First-Year Seminar: Masterpieces of 19th-Century Russian Literature | ||
| Masterpieces of 20th-Century Russian Literature | ||
| Russian Short Story | ||
| Banned Books: Writing Against Censorship | ||
Any course with attribute REES Literary Traditions | ||
| Modern Culture | 1 | |
| Portraits of Soviet Society: Literature, Film, Drama | ||
| Putin's Russia: Culture, Society and History | ||
| Russian and East European Art and Cinema since 1900 | ||
| Russian History in Film | ||
| Russian Modernism: Art, Life, and Culture | ||
Any course with attribute REES Modern Culture | ||
| Social Thought | 1 | |
| Marx, Marxism, and the Culture of Revolution | ||
| Communism | ||
| Socialism | ||
| Anarchism: Theories and Ethnographies | ||
| Sex and Socialism | ||
Any course with attribute REES Social Thought | ||
| Electives 3,5 | 7 | |
| Select 7 Electives | ||
Any course numbered REES 0000-4999 | ||
Any course numbered RUSS 1000-4999 | ||
Any course with attribute REES Elective | ||
| Total Course Units | 32 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
Students must receive a grade of C+ or above in a course for it to count toward a core requirement or elective in the REES major.
- 3
Up to 4 c.u. from study abroad and/or summer programs may be counted toward the REES major. An additional 2 c.u. may be approved, under rare circumstances and only with advance permission, for students who devote more than one semester/summer toward such programs. All external credit is subject to approval by the Undergraduate Chair.
- 4
Only students who receive a final grade of A in REES 4998: Honors Thesis will be recognized with honors in the major in REES.
- 5
Subject to approval by the Undergraduate Chair, language courses in any regional language may be counted as electives toward the REES major if they are not already counted toward the language prerequisite.
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum overall 3.3 and a GPA of 3.6 in the major.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| REES 4998 | Honors Thesis 4 | 1 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.