Russian (BA)

We offer a full curriculum in the Russian language (first- through fifth-year) designed to offer training in all the skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) students need to communicate in Russian at the Intermediate mid- to high-proficiency level. In addition, we offer a rich repertory of courses in Russian literature, film, culture, and linguistics — some taught in English, others in Russian — to enhance students' pragmatic and cultural qualifications.

Our graduating students have a broad knowledge of Russia, the Russian language, and a specific area of expertise within Russian studies (e.g., literature, culture, or linguistics). Many have become eligible to join the Ohio State Chapter of the Dobro Slovo National Honor Society. The diversity in the courses taught in the department, everything from the great writers of Russian literature to the mythology surrounding vampires, allows our students to truly make the major their own and sets the Ohio State Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures apart from other Russian and Slavic departments around the country.

By the time our students graduate, they will have a strong understanding of Russian culture, past and present, and valuable language skills, making them ideal candidates for jobs in the government, tech industry, international business, or highly competitive graduate programs.

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Academic Advisors

Angela Brintlinger (major advising)

brintlinger.3@osu.edu
(614) 292-6733
422 Hagerty

Andrew Spencer

spencer.4@osu.edu
(614) 292-8485
355 Hagerty Hall

Affiliated Departments & Centers

Associated Facilities

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Russian is the sixth most spoken language in the world, with 164 million native speakers and 114 million second-language speakers in Russia, in other countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and in communities around the world. It is the language of one of the world’s leading cultures, whose achievements in literature, art, music, science, technology and sports have won worldwide acclaim, and whose history, internal politics and foreign policy have a large impact on global events.

Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures More Russian & Slavic Courses

Russian is offered at beginning through advanced levels and fulfills the university's General Education (GE) foreign language requirement. Russian is offered in both the classroom and individualized instruction format. Study abroad opportunities are available in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

courses you might take:

RUSSIAN 2335: Russian Culture

Russian culture from its foundations to the 21st century through analysis of literature, film, music, visual arts, beliefs, and customs. Taught in English.

SLAVIC 2230: Vampires, Monstrosity, and Evil: From Slavic Myth to Twilight

Changing approaches to evil as embodied in vampires in East European folk belief & European & American pop culture; function of vampire & monster tales in cultural context, including peasant world & West from Enlightenment to now.  Taught in English.

RUSSIAN 2250: Masterpieces of Russian Literature

Reading and analysis of great works of Russian literature from the 19th century to the present by authors such as Pushkin, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Akhmatova, Bulgakov, Solzhenitsyn, and Ulitskaya. Taught in English.

RUSSIAN 3460: Modern Russian Experience through Film

Exploration of some of the most revealing hopes and disappointments of the Russian people presented in internationally acclaimed Russian films. Taught in English.

RUSSIAN 3350: Russian Culture and Politics

Interdisciplinary approach to reading and perceiving Russian political culture today. The class expands the meaning of culture to include political discourse, political practices, and current societal debates. Taught in English.

Beyond the Classroom

Russian Club

The Ohio State University Russian Club aims to bring the culture of Russia and Eastern Europe to the students and the community. We hope to immerse ourselves in Russian culture events, such as cuisine nights, movie screenings and excursions, and to boost our academic performance with weekly Russian conversation groups and lectures.

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Study Abroad: Russian Culture and Society Program

The Russian Culture and Society Program is a continuation of the GE course Russian 2335: Russian Culture. Students will travel to St. Petersburg and Moscow for approximately 10 days to experience everyday life and to visit sites of major artistic, cultural, and historical importance at one of the most beautiful times of the year -- the famed White Nights of summer.

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Kapustnik

Once a semester, the Slavic Department hosts Kapustnik, where undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty are all invited to show off their special talents. Offered in the second half of each semester, all are invited to participate, attend, and try some delicious Slavic and East European food.

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Russian Table

Each week, students meet at Kafe Kerouac on High Street to practice their Russian skills and receive assistance on homework. Russian table is a great way to get in touch with other students who speak Russian and network with others in the community!

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Russian Film Series

Come check out the Russian Film series, which the Department puts on twice every academic year. Showings are also free and open to the public. All films are in Russian with English subtitles.

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