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This archived information is dated to the 2011-12 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Master of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures

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Slavic Languages and Literatures

University requirements for the M.A. degree are discussed in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.

Admission—The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Russian are:

  1. A B.A. (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
  2. A command of the Russian language sufficient to permit the student to do satisfactory graduate work.
  3. A familiarity with Russian literature sufficient to permit the student to perform adequately in courses at the graduate level.

The applicant's previous academic training in Russian language and literature normally serves as an indication of competence. Accordingly, the department does not ordinarily consider applications from students who have not had at least three years of college Russian and some undergraduate training in Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries. Before registering for the first quarter's work in the department, entering graduate students are required to take placement examinations in Russian. Students who fail to perform satisfactorily on such examinations must register for remedial courses in the areas in which they are deficient. Course work in third-year Russian and below carries no credit toward the M.A. degree.

Course Requirements—Candidates for the M.A. should plan course work that ensures adequate preparation for the M.A. final examination at the end of the third quarter of work. Course work should be planned in consultation with the graduate adviser, whose approval of the overall course load is required.

Candidates for the M.A. must complete a program of 45 units, of which 36 units must be selected from courses given by the department.

The M.A. Thesis—The M.A. thesis represents a complete article-length research paper (6,000-9,000 words) that, in both form and substance, qualifies for submission to English-language professional publications in the Slavic field. The M.A. thesis must be submitted to the thesis adviser no later than the eighth week of your final quarter of registration.

Final Examination—A final examination may substitute for the M.A. thesis requirement. The final examination requires a student to demonstrate in a written examination

  1. command of the phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicology of contemporary Standard Russian sufficient to teach beginning and intermediate courses at the college level
  2. an ability to read contemporary Standard Russian sufficiently to assist students studying contemporary Russian poetry or literary prose
  3. sufficient familiarity with Russian literature of either the 19th or 20th century to successfully handle survey courses dealing with the chosen period of specialization.

The examination should be taken at the end of the final quarter of required course work.

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