The Russian Language Flagship
Bryn Mawr College
The Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr College was created under the auspices of the National Security Education Program (NSEP)/National Flagship Language Program (NFLP) to address the critical need for U.S. professionals to use Russian at the highest levels of functional proficiency.
The program is open to all undergraduates of Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges and to Russian-speaking students who are committed to attaining professional or superior-level language proficiency through an intensive language training program tailored to their professional interests and academic specialization. The program also accepts applications from those who are not currently enrolled at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, or Swarthmore Colleges.
The nationally recognized Language Flagship brings with it the possibility of substantial financial support for intensive summer and overseas study. Students who successfully complete the Russian Flagship track are highly sought after by non-government and government organizations, as well as international corporations and professional firms.
The ultimate goal of the program is for all students to reach the "superior level" (ILR level 3) of proficiency in Russian according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Information on courses and how to apply to the program can be found below. In the meantime, if you have questions about the program, please contact Sharon Bain, Director of the Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr, sbain@brynmawr.edu.
The Language Flagship Track
Undergraduates who are currently enrolled at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges and join the Language Flagship track are not required to major in Russian, although many choose to major or to double major in Russian and another content area (math, science, history, literature, etc.). Students also have the option of direct-enrolling in content-area courses during their overseas study in Russia. These content-area courses may be applied toward fulfilling major requirements with the prior approval of the student's major department.
Those who have had previous Russian language training in high school or who have a heritage language background in Russian can enter the Russian Flagship track at their current proficiency level, in accordance with the results of a proficiency exam (AP Russian exam or proficiency exam at Bryn Mawr College).
Sample accelerated curriculum plan for those who have had no previous Russian language training prior to entering the Russian Flagship track:
Year One :
Russian 001 and 002: Beginning Intensive Russian
Summer One:
Russian 101 and 102: Intensive Immersion Russian (Flagship Level 1 proficiency) at the Bryn Mawr College Russian Language Institute (RLI)
Year Two:
Russian 201 and 202: Advanced Russian: a Content-Based Approach (Flagship Level 1+ proficiency)
Summer Two (optional):
Russian 350 and 351: Contemporary Russian Language and Media through summer overseas Flagship in Russia in cooperation with American Councils
Year Three:
Russian 350 and 351; Russian 375 and 376; and additional contents courses during semester or Junior Year Abroad in Russia in cooperation with American Councils (Flagship Level 2 proficiency)
Year Four:
Russian 390 and 391: Russian for Pre-Professionals (Flagship Level 2 proficiency) or Overseas Lanaguage Flagship in St. Petersburg, Russia
Guidelines for applicants who are not currently enrolled at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, or Swarthmore Colleges
The Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr encourages prospective high school students to consider applying to Bryn Mawr, Haverford, or Swarthmore Colleges and to become a Russian Flagship student upon acceptance to one of the three colleges. The Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr also welcomes applications from students who are not matriculated at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges.
Those who wish to enroll in beginning or intermediate Russian language courses at Bryn Mawr College or the Russian Language Institute should contact Dr. Sharon Bainat sbain@brynmawr.edu.
Applicants who have already demonstrated advanced proficiency in Russian should follow the instructions posted at the Language Flagship website. Applicants will also have an oral interview in Russian with a Bryn Mawr affiliate to be scheduled once we have received and reviewed your application.
The application materials specified must be received by January 16, 2009. A paper copy of the application form and supporting documents (letters of recommendation, transcripts, statement of purpose, and Russian essay) should be sent to:
Dr. Sharon Bain , Language Flagship Director
Department of Russian
Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Non-matriculating students may enroll in no more than two courses per semester. Please note that non-matriculating students cannot apply their course credits toward a degree from Bryn Mawr College.
Core Staff of the Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr College
Professor Dan E. Davidson
Professor of Russian and SLA at Bryn Mawr College, Director of the Eurasian Flagship
ddavidso@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5184
Dr. Sharon L. Bain
Director of the Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr College
sbain@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5186
Coordinator of the Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr College
bstiner@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5187
Valentina Dunn
Russian Language Flagship Instructional Assistant at Bryn Mawr College
Beata Moskala-Gallaher
Russian Language Flagship Instructional Assistant at Bryn Mawr College
Ekaterina Tarkhanova
Russian Language Flagship Instructional Assistant at Bryn Mawr College