Founded in 1947 by Edward J. Brown, one of the pioneers of Russian literary history in the United States, ours is one of the oldest Slavic departments in the country. Building on a strong tradition of academic excellence and teaching, in recent years the department has become fundamentally interdisciplinary.
Bridging Traditions and Realities
One of our main goals is to retrace the complex links between rich intellectual and literary traditions and larger historical and sociopolitical processes. This approach is particularly valuable as Russian and East European societies reshape themselves in new geopolitical contexts. The former Soviet bloc offers an exciting laboratory for studying issues of national, ethnic, gender, and social identity in a quickly and radically changing world, and to provide a truly global perspective on these issues.
Our Students
Concentrators in Slavic Studies receive a solid grounding in one or more Slavic languages, literatures, and cultures. Our graduates go on to careers in a number of fields, including literature and linguistics, law, diplomacy, journalism, publishing, performing arts, and international business, as well as more traditional graduate study in Slavic languages and literatures.