Language Requirement

The Language Requirement in Russian may be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

1. By obtaining a grade of C- or better in Russian 4 (fourth semester Russian).*

2. For speakers of Russian: by obtaining a grade of C- or better in Russian 361 (second semester Russian for Russian speakers).*

3. By successfully passing a competency test, administered by the Department, which requires abilities equivalent to those attained in Russian 4 or Russian 361.

The competency test is administered once a year in September** and is comprised of two portions: a fifty-minute written exam and a fifteen- to twenty-minute oral interview. On your written exam, you are expected to show a good grasp of basic Russian grammar and ability to write a text of at least two paragraphs on a topic related to every day life or some well-rehearsed issue. During your oral interview, you are expected to demonstrate your knowledge of Russian socio-cultural conventions and ability to communicate in Russian in a semi-formal setting. In addition to linguistic and socio-cultural norms, you are expected to show your acquaintance with major Russian names, political and historical events.

*Courses taken to fulfill the language requirement must be taken for a grade; they may not be taken on a pass/fail basis

**You can arrange for a different time of your Russian language competency test, if it severely conflicts with your studies at Penn.