Coursework is one component of the Russian Flagship’s rigorous, flexible curriculum. The program is designed to enable students of any major, even those entering UW-Madison with no prior experience studying Russian, to reach a professional level of language proficiency by graduation. For a typical student, this means condensing four years of Russian language coursework into two academic years and two summers, which includes a summer study abroad program to a Russian-speaking country. Students then spend an additional 1-2 academic years completing advanced Russian language coursework at UW-Madison before embarking on a capstone year abroad, the Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF), located in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
It is possible for students to complete the program, including the ROF capstone year abroad, in four years, but the majority of students who begin their study of Russian at UW-Madison need five years to complete the program. Factors that influence a student’s timeline in the Russian Flagship include the student’s prior experience studying Russian, the student’s specific major(s), the student’s total number of majors or certificates, credit load per semester, extracurricular activities, work commitments, etc.
Students work with Russian Flagship advisors to build individualized study plans for meeting coursework and other requirements. Plans can be adjusted, on a case-by-case basis, to accommodate a student’s major, course schedule during a specific semester, or other individual needs. Early planning is an important factor in ensuring that students are able to progress through the program in a timely manner.
Example Study Plans
Four-Year Plan
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Year 1
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 101 (Fall) and Slavic 102 (Spring): First Year Russian, 8 credits
Summer Term
Courses: Slavic 117 and Slavic 117: Intensive Second Year Russian, 8 credits
Year 2
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 275 (Fall) and Slavic 276 (Spring): Third Year Russian, 8 credits; Slavic 315 (Fall) and Slavic 316 (Spring), 4 credits
Summer Term
Study Abroad: Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) or another eligible program that provides the equivalent of Slavic 321 and Slavic 322: Fourth Year Russian, 8 credits
Year 3
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 433 (Fall) and Slavic 434 (Spring): History of Russian Culture and Contemporary Russian Culture, 8 credits; Slavic 560 (Fall) or Slavic 555 (Spring), 3 credits each; Slavic 699 (Fall or Spring): Russian Across the Curriculum Tutorial, 1 credit; Slavic 699: Intercultural Introduction to Kazakhstan (Spring), 1 credit
Year 4
Academic Year
Study Abroad: Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF), 18 credits per semester
The ROF is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan and includes intensive coursework, individual tutoring, direct enrollment in a course related to the student’s major at the host university, a professional internship, and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.
Five-Year Plan
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Year 1
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 101 (Fall) and Slavic 102 (Spring): First Year Russian, 8 credits
Summer Term
Courses: Slavic 117 and Slavic 117: Intensive Second Year Russian, 8 credits
Year 2
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 275 (Fall) and Slavic 276 (Spring): Third Year Russian, 8 credits; Slavic 315 (Fall) and Slavic 316 (Spring), 4 credits
Summer Term
Study Abroad: Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP) or another eligible program that provides the equivalent of Slavic 321 and Slavic 322: Fourth Year Russian, 8 credits
Year 3
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 433 (Fall) and Slavic 434 (Spring): History of Russian Culture and Contemporary Russian Culture, 8 credits
Year 4
Academic Year
Courses: Slavic 560 (Fall) and Slavic 555 (Spring), 6 credits; Slavic 699 (Fall or Spring): Russian Across the Curriculum Tutorial, 1 credit; Slavic 699: Intercultural Introduction to Kazakhstan (Spring), 1 credit
Year 5
Academic Year
Study Abroad: Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF), 18 credits per semester
The ROF is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan and includes intensive coursework, individual tutoring, direct enrollment in a course related to the student’s major at the host university, a professional internship, and a homestay with a Russian-speaking family.
"The support you receive is one of the most important aspects of the program for me. Every step of the way, there are advisors there to help you plan out classes and when to apply for study abroad programs, and there are tutors to help with any questions about grammar, language, culture, etc."
Megan Feeley, Current Student