Russian Studies
For more than 50 years, Saint Louis University’s interdisciplinary Russian studies program draws on the expertise of professors specializing in the language, literature, culture, history and politics of Russia’s 1000-year history.
Major in Russian Studies
SLU’s major in Russian studies requires 30 credit hours of upper-division courses, including those in history, politics, literature, and theology or philosophy. Outside of the 12 hours of required language instruction, students must select nine more hours of upper-division Russian electives. Students quickly immerse themselves in Russian language, literature, film and culture by analyzing a wide range of issues, attending cultural events and conducting digital research for independent projects as early as their first semester in the program. Working with the departments of English, history, political science and theological studies, students in the Russian studies program can develop their interests across the College of Arts and Sciences.
SLU's Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures cooperates with the Center for Intercultural Studies, the Catholic Studies Centre, and the Russian and East European Area Studies program to support lectures, exhibits, conferences and other cultural events on campus. The Russian program supports cultural events and the honors society inductions every year.
Our students have explored Russia’s vast landscape in programs taking them from St. Petersburg to Siberia as they attempt to master this language identified as critical by the U.S. government. Several students have spent a summer or semester on the SLU-sponsored program at Smolny College in St. Petersburg through Bard College.
Highlighted Courses
Students new to Russian begin by taking RUSS 1010: Communicating in Russian I with the goal of becoming proficient in Russian. At the same time, they will explore Russian culture and political science with the following courses:
- RUSS 3250: From Peter to Putin: Imperial, Soviet, and Post-Soviet Culture
- POLS 2530: Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics
Students with prior knowledge of Russian can contact the program coordinator, Dr. Elizabeth Blake, at eblake2@slu.edu for a proficiency exam before enrolling in courses.
You may also transfer credits from another undergraduate Russian program (including an intensive summer program) or a study abroad program, including SLU’s program through Bard College at Smolny College.
Internships and Careers
Recent graduates with a degree in Russian studies from Saint Louis University work
with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the press. Our alumni are
found working for the U.S. Armed Forces, the U. S. Department of State, the Huffington
Post and the Better Care Network. Other popular career paths for our majors include
business and the legal profession.
Other graduates with a degree in Russian studies from SLU have gone on to prestigious
graduate programs studying Russian and East European studies, diplomacy, social work,
medicine and political science.
Faculty
SLU’s Russian studies faculty members work closely with students and can help you
determine how Russian can complement your additional academic interests as you prepare
for your future career.
They also support innovative undergraduate research projects guided by the students'
own interests. Undergraduate students majoring in Russian studies at SLU have presented
their research at regional and national conferences.
Our students also work closely with related faculty in other departments, such as
history and political science.
- Elizabeth Blake, Ph.D.
- Yelena Belyaeva-Standen, Ph.D.
- Zdenko Mandusic, Ph.D.
- David T. Murphy, Ph.D.
Tuition and Fees
Saint Louis University takes pride in being one of Barron's Best Buys in College Education
and Kiplinger's Best Values in Private Colleges.
For information regarding the upcoming academic year’s tuition rate, fees and financial
aid, visit SLU Financial Services.
Minor in Russian Studies
SLU’s Russian studies minor requires 15 credit hours of upper-division coursework, including:
- RUSS 3010: Oral and Written Proficiency in Russian I
- RUSS 3020: Oral and Written Proficiency in Russian II
- RUSS 3250: From Peter to Putin: Imperial, Soviet and Post-Soviet Culture
- One Russian literature elective
- One 4000-level Russian elective
Immerse Yourself
Master the Russian Language
SLU’s Student Success Center offers a peer tutor in Russian who can help students
of all levels as they study this challenging language. Students and faculty go on
trips to local stores, churches and restaurants to share their common interest in
Russian cultural immersion.
Russian studies students at SLU also participate in intensive summer Russian programs
in the United States and study abroad opportunities that include a SLU-sponsored program
at Smolny College through Bard College, allowing them to further improve their fluency.