Spring 2027
Carleton’s Russian program has been based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, since 2023. Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, its dynamic and cosmopolitan cultural capital, situated in sight of the Trans-Ili Alatau range of the Tian-Shan mountains. Built at the crossroads of ancient and modern trade and cultural routes, Almaty exemplifies the spirit of openness, creativity, hybridity, and acceptance that has always characterized the cultures that inhabited the great steppe.
Russian is the language of intercultural communication in Kazakhstan; it remains the language most commonly spoken in Almaty, but its changing role in the region is increasingly challenged and problematized. Immersing ourselves in the Russian language and contemporary Kazakhstani culture, we will discuss the role of language in the debates about cultural and political identities, in postcolonial nation-building projects, in contemporary literature and culture, and in efforts to bring together the ethnically and linguistically diverse people of Central Asia. Intensive Russian classes, offering instruction in reading, oral comprehension, and conversation, will take place at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNu), one of the country’s largest and best-known universities. Elementary Kazakh and an introduction to Kazakh customs and traditions will also be included.
Students will live with families in the center of Almaty, where they will enjoy the city’s many historic landmarks, museums and cafes, parks and cultural venues, and immerse themselves in the Russian language and the life of this cosmopolitan city from day one. Students will use their growing knowledge of Russian to converse with people of enormously varied backgrounds. At the same time, through reading, discussions, and travel, students will explore complex issues of national, cultural, and linguistic identities of people of Kazakhstan and discuss the country’s role in the region, issues that are central to Kazakhstan’s participation in global culture today and in the future.
Excursions will comprise an important part of the academic program. On a day trip, students will explore the neighborhoods, sites, and hidden corners of Almaty, as well as the beautiful nature that surrounds it. Weekend trips will take us to Astana, Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital, and to Karagandy, the “capital” of the Soviet GULAG. And, towards the program’s end, we will travel farther along the ancient Silk Road to Uzbekistan: we will visit monuments of ancient civilizations, the iconic cities of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara, the abandoned ships graveyard where the Aral Sea has once been, the Kyzylkum and Arak Kum deserts, and the “Louvre in the desert” (Savitsky Museum) in the Karakalpak Republic
Message from Faculty Director
Всем привет! Cәлем!
Information coming soon!
Academics
Learning Goals
- To introduce students to the history of the region and the diversity of Russophone culture
- To develop and improve all aspects of students’ Russian language skills
- To improve English-language writing skills through the writing of short academic papers, reviews of books, films and cultural events, and creative writing.
Prerequisites
This program is for students with sophomore, junior, or senior status during the 2026-27 academic year. It is open to beginners with a strong interest in the history and languages of the region, as well as to students who have completed Russian 204 and 205 at Carleton and wish to continue their studies of Russian.
Required Core Courses
Courses below were offered in spring 2025. Courses to be offered in spring 2027 are yet to be confirmed
RUSS 228: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Contemporary Kazakhstani Culture and Post-Colonial Identity (6 credits; Literary/Artistic Analysis, International Studies)
In this course we will study how contemporary Kazakhstani post-colonial identity is expressed and negotiated in the works of Russophone prose and poetry, as well as in film, theater, contemporary art, and urban space. Other topics will include the changing role of the Russian language in Central Asia, linguistic, gender and cultural hybridity, trauma and (post)memory, cultural, ecological and gender activism. Taught in English.
Instructor:
HIST 265: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Central Asia in the Modern Age (6 credits; Humanistic Inquiry, International Studies)
Central Asia–the region encompassing the post-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and the Xinjiang region of the People’s Republic of China–is often considered one of the most exotic in the world, but it has experienced all the excesses of the modern age. After a basic introduction to the long-term history of the steppe, this course will concentrate on exploring the history of the region since its conquest by the Russian and Chinese empires. We will discuss the interaction of external and local forces as we explore transformations in the realms of politics, society, culture, and religion.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
Language Study
Beginning Russian
18 credits
RUSS 110: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Intensive Beginning (6 credits)
For students with no previous training in or minimal knowledge of Russian. Simultaneous development of skills in speaking, reading, aural comprehension, and writing. Class meets four days a week for two hours. This course is conducted by members of Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
-OR-
Intermediate Russian
20 credits
RUSS 207: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Intermediate Intensive Grammar (3 credits)
This course aims at vocabulary expansion and the assimilation and activation of everyday conversational structures and speech etiquette at the same time it develops familiarity with more complex principles of Russian grammar. This course is conducted by members of Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. Prerequisites: Russian 205 or equivalent.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
RUSS 209: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Intermediate Conversation (3 credits)
This course is taken in combination with Russian 207. Emphasis will be placed on socially relevant topics. This course is conducted by members of Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. Prerequisites: Russian 205 or equivalent.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
RUSS 228F: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Contemporary Kazakhstani Culture and Post-Colonial Identity in Russian (2 credits; Literary/Artistic Analysis, International Studies). For intermediate and advanced language levels.
This course will offer readings and discussions of Russian-language materials and short speaking and writing assignments. Students taking RUSS 207, 209, 307, and 309 are required to enroll in this supplement to RUSS 228. Taught in Russian.
Instructor:
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Advanced Russian
20 credits
RUSS 307: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Advanced Intensive Grammar (3 credits)
This course combines advanced work in Russian grammar, especially morphology and syntax, and fundamentals in composition, with conversational Russian. Expected preparation: Six credits of Russian at the 300 level.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
RUSS 309: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Advanced Practicum (3 credits)
This course aims at skill development in speaking and oral presentation as well as in limited forms of composition. It is taken in combination with Russian 307 and conducted by members of Kazakh National University Philological Faculty and supervised by the program director. Expected preparation: 6 credits of Russian at the 300 level.
Instructor: Kazakh National University’s Philological Faculty
RUSS 228F: Russophone Studies in Central Asia: Contemporary Kazakhstani Culture and Post-Colonial Identity in Russian (2 credits; Literary/Artistic Analysis, International Studies). For intermediate and advanced language levels.
This course will offer readings and discussions of Russian-language materials and short speaking and writing assignments. Students taking RUSS 207, 209, 307, and 309 are required to enroll in this supplement to RUSS 228. Taught in Russian.
Instructor:
Program Features
Housing
Homestays with families residing in the Almaty city center will be organized for the participants of the program.
Excursions
Excursions comprise an important part of the academic program, and will be linked both to the language courses and to the director’s course. Students will enjoy day trips in and around Almaty. There will also be day trips to various natural sights near Almaty, weekend trips to other cities and regions of Kazakhstan, and a longer trip to Uzbekistan at the end of the program.
Information Meeting, Application, Dates & Fees
Information Meeting
If you have questions, please contact Director of Off-Campus Studies, Helena Kaufman.
Application
Applications are found on the OCS Student Portal. Search by program name and click Apply Now to open an application. Applications are due on April 20, 2026.
Program Dates
Program dates will roughly match the Carleton term. Specific dates will be communicated to participants at least one term prior to the program.
Program Fees
Carleton programs cost the same as a term on-campus plus airfare and visa (if applicable). Financial Aid is applied as on campus. Admitted students receive an additional cost estimate at the time of acceptance to the program. Additional scholarships are available by submitting a Budget Worksheet to Student Financial Aid by the application deadline one term prior to the program.
Additional Information
Interview with Prof. Thorstensson for OCS Blog: Voices and Views (previous program)
