Academics

The department offers a broad variety of courses in Russian language, literature, film, politics, history, and society.

In addition to the three faculty members in Russian studies, we work actively with Russia-oriented faculty in the departments of history, anthropology, and political science.

Two of our professors hold joint appointments in Jewish studies and film and media studies. Because of this range, our students have been able to study, and do honors work, in many disciplines.

Russian majors do serious language study along with critical analyses of Russian politics and culture. Most of our students study abroad.

Our intermediate language courses make extensive use of film to break out of textbook mode (our approach entails a computer program developed at Colgate). Later courses emphasize reading as well as communicative competence.