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 who are committed to attaining professional level language proficiency through an intensive language training program tailored to their professional interests and academic specialization.
The nationally recognized Language Flagship brings with it the possibility of 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, Co-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.).
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).
Example of an Academic Plan
The following information represents an curriculum plan for those who have had no previous Russian language training prior to entering the Russian Flagship program.
Level One Courses:
Russian 001 and 002*: Beginning Intensive Russian (Novice to Intermediate Low)
Level Two Courses:
Russian 101 and 102*: Intermediate Intensive Russian (Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid)
Level Three Courses:
Russian 201 and 202*: Advanced Russian: a Content-Based Approach (Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High)
Russian 235: The Social Dynamics of Russian
Russian 380: Seminar in Russian Culture
Level Three Plus Courses (Optional Summer):
Russian 350 and 351: Contemporary Russian Language and Media through Summer Overseas Flagship in Russia in cooperation with American Councils
Level Four Courses:
Russian 350 and 351; Russian 375 and 376; and additional content courses during semester or Junior Year Abroad in Russia in cooperation with American Councils (Intermediate High to Advanced Mid/High)
Domestic Flagship Capstone Course:
Russian 390 and 391: Russian for Pre-Professionals (Advanced Mid/High to Superior Low)
Overseas Flagship Capstone Course:
Russian Overseas Flagship in St. Petersburg, Russia
Internship 8-10 hours per week
*Offered during academic year and at the Russian Language Institute
Core Faculty and Staff of the Russian Language Flagship at Bryn Mawr College
Professor Dan E. Davidson
Professor of Russian and SLA, Bryn Mawr College
Director of the Eurasian Flagship
ddavidso@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5184
Chair, Department of Russian, Bryn Mawr College
Co-Director, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
tharte@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5190
Lecturer in Russian, Bryn Mawr College
Co-Director, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
sbain@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5186
Coordinator, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
bember@brynmawr.edu
610-526-5187
Lecturer, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
610-526-5187
Dr. Natalia Hayes
Lecturer, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
610-526-5187
Ms. Ekaterina Tarkhanova
Instructional Assistant, Bryn Mawr Russian Flagship
610-526-5187