Map St. Petersburg, Russia
IMOP Building
Classroom
Russian Folk Show

 

Study Abroad in St. Petersburg: Academics

This program is open to students in good standing (2.5 minimum GPA) and requires no previous knowledge of Russian.

All students are required to take one Russian language course at the appropriate level. These courses are taught 14 hours per week for a total of 9 semester credits.

In addition, students must choose between one and three courses from a list of eight courses taught in English. These courses will meet for over 42 hours including class time, homework, final exam and final paper – for a total of 3 academic credits.

Students may take a minimum of 12 credits (e.g. Russian Language + 1 Elective Class) and a maximum of 18 credits (e.g. Russian Language + 3 Elective Classes).

Students may choose from the following courses taught in English:

  • Art History 303 History of Russian Art
  • History 305 Russian History from Kievan Rus to the Revolution
  • History/Political Science 315 Contemporary History of Russia: The Communist Phase
  • History 312 History and Culture of St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg’s Role in Russian History and Culture
  • Literature 307 19th century Russian Literature
  • Literature 309 Contemporary Russian Literature
  • Political Science/Sociology 311 Contemporary Russian Life
  • Religion/Sociology 319 The Russian Orthodox Church, Its Development and Its Influence Today

Attendance
Attendance in class is required. Students who are absent without prior authorization may not be eligible to take examinations or may be awarded lower or failing grades.

No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available.

Once classes begin, students have one week to drop or change courses without penalty, if there is a valid reason. After that, if students wish to withdraw from a course, they must sign a declaration to this effect and get the Director’s signature for the transcript to show “withdrawn.” No one may withdraw in the final eight weeks of a semester. Under no circumstances may a student withdraw from the required course in Russian language.

Class time
Russian classes meet 14 weeks a semester. Elective seminars meet 13 weeks each semester. One class hour equals 45 minutes.

Transcripts
Students receive an official transcript from St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University giving details of courses, class hours and grades, although it does not indicate credits recommended in this catalog.