BA in Russian Language and Culture in New York United States | Columbia University

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures focuses on exploring the cultures, literary works, and languages of Russia and other Slavic nations and regions. Our teaching and research emphasize both the unique characteristics of these cultures and their connections with other societies, both historically and in today's globalized world. We examine not just the rich literary heritage but also cinema, theater, politics, visual arts, music, media, religious philosophy, critical theory, and intellectual developments among Russian and Slavic peoples, adopting an interdisciplinary perspective.

Our courses attract students with diverse interests. Numerous classes are conducted in English using English-language materials and require no prior knowledge. As a result, our majors and concentrators study alongside peers from other literature departments, history and political science students focusing on Slavic regions, and those drawn to the subject for various academic or practical purposes.

We teach Russian at all proficiency levels (beginner to highly advanced), including a specialized course for heritage speakers. To enhance language skills, we offer literature and culture courses where students read original texts and participate in Russian-language discussions. The department also provides three levels of instruction in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian (plus culture courses taught in English). All our language classes develop core competencies in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural awareness.