Why study Slavic languages and literatures?
Because Russia and the Slavs link the West and the East; studying their languages and cultures gives you a different perspective on the world we live in and allows you to pursue professional opportunities that are both in demand and off the beaten path. Slavs are the largest demographic group in Europe and studying a Slavic language is an excellent way for students to equip themselves with the means to engage with the global community.
The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers comprehensive undergraduate programs in Russian, Polish, and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian and their literatures, and cultures. For each language, we offer a core curriculum of 3+ years of language study emphasizing all four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), supplemented by courses in culture, literature and linguistics. We also offer intensive Russian in the summer. For study abroad, we offer summer and semester options at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, as well as a summer study abroad programs in Zadar, Croatia and Lviv, Ukraine, and a summer Russian-language internship program in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The minor prepares students for a variety of careers in teaching or in graduate studies, as well as in fields such as translation, international business, art, art history, and travel. A Slavic degree allows a student focus on Russian and Slavic languages as a career path or to add a unique global aspect to another career choice. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to consider a Slavic major or minor in combination with another field of study.
The M.A. degree in Slavic Languages and Literatures gives students a well-rounded knowledge of Russian language and literature, provides students interested in working professionally with Russian in government or other areas with solid language skills and well-rounded training in the field, and allows them to continue on to specialized doctoral study in Slavic studies. The Ph.D. degree can be tailored to the student’s interests and future research plans. Doctoral study allows students to pursue a knowledge of a second Slavic language and literature, a minor field, as well as in-depth preparation leading to the doctoral dissertation. Qualified candidates are supported through teaching assistantships and receive extensive training and guidance in language instruction. We pride ourselves on our advising and preparation of students for careers in academia and the professional world.
Requirements for the Minor
6 minor tracks are offered.
Polish Studies Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| The following courses provide fundamental skills for the minor, but do not contribute to the minimum required hours for the minor. | ||
| Elementary Polish I. Satisfied by: | ||
| PLSH 104 | Elementary Polish I | 5 |
| Elementary Polish II. Satisfied by: | ||
| PLSH 108 | Elementary Polish II | 5 |
| Polish Studies Required Courses | ||
| Intermediate Polish I. Satisfied by: | ||
| PLSH 204 | Intermediate Polish I | 3 |
| Intermediate Polish II. Satisfied by: | ||
| PLSH 208 | Intermediate Polish II | 3 |
| West Slavic Literature and Civilization (Polish and Czech). Satisfied by: | ||
| SLAV 506 | Masterworks of Polish and Czech Literature | 3 |
| Required Electives. Satisfied by 3 courses (9 hours) chosen from the following: | 9 | |
| Readings in Polish Language and Literature | ||
| Graphic Novels as Memory: Representations of the Holocaust and Communism | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
| Introduction to East-Central European Culture and Society: _____ | ||
| Totalitarianism and Literature in Central Europe | ||
| Love, Lust and Liberty: Polish and Czech Film Adaptations | ||
| Language, Culture and Ethnicity in Prehistoric Eastern Europe | ||
| Economic Systems | ||
| Everyday Communism in Eastern Europe | ||
or HIST 557 | Nationalism and Communism in East Central Europe from 1772 to the Present | |
| Marxism (or other relevant course in philosophy) | ||
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 18 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Russian Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| The following courses provide fundamental skills for the minor, but do not contribute to the minimum required hours for the minor. | ||
| Elementary Russian I. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 104 | Elementary Russian I | 5 |
| or RUSS 110 | Intensive Elementary Russian | |
| Elementary Russian II. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 108 | Elementary Russian II | 5 |
| or RUSS 110 | Intensive Elementary Russian | |
| Intermediate Russian I. Satisfied by | ||
| RUSS 204 | Intermediate Russian I | 5 |
| Russian Required Courses | ||
| Intermediate Russian II. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 208 | Intermediate Russian II | 5 |
| Russian Linguistics. Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours, 200+) chosen from: | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe and Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe, Honors | ||
| Russian Phonetics, Phonology, and Inflectional Morphology | ||
| The Grammatical Categories of Russian: Linguistic Units, Functions and Meanings | ||
| Russian Since the Revolution | ||
| The Pragmatics of Slavic Languages | ||
| Language and Identity in East-Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union | ||
| Russian Literature. Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours, 400+) chosen from: | 3 | |
| The Russian Literary Genius | ||
| Introduction to Russian Poetry | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Turgenev | ||
| Russian Theatre and Drama from Stanislavski and Chekhov to the Present | ||
| The "Woman Question" in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature | ||
| The Devil in Russian Literature | ||
| Biblical Themes in Modern Russian Literature | ||
| Russian and East European Science Fiction | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Russian Literature in Translation: _____ | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Pushkin and Evgenij Onegin | ||
| The Russian Short Story | ||
| Russian Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| The Russian Novel in the Age of Realism | ||
| Russian Literary Modernism: 1880-1930 | ||
| Soviet Russian Literature: 1930-1990 | ||
| Post-Soviet Literature | ||
| Nabokov | ||
| Required Electives. Satisfied by 3 courses (9 hours) in Russian literature, linguistics, culture, or advanced language chosen in consultation with the major advisor. | 9 | |
Language | ||
| Advanced Russian I | ||
| Advanced Russian II | ||
| Russian for the Professions I | ||
| Russian for the Professions II | ||
| Problems in Translating Russian into English I | ||
| Problems in Translating Russian into English II | ||
| Classics of Russian Culture | ||
| Contemporary Russian Culture | ||
| Russian Phonetics and Grammar | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature | ||
| Stylistics | ||
Linguistics | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe and Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe, Honors | ||
| Russian Phonetics, Phonology, and Inflectional Morphology | ||
| The Grammatical Categories of Russian: Linguistic Units, Functions and Meanings | ||
| Russian Since the Revolution | ||
| The Pragmatics of Slavic Languages | ||
| Language and Identity in East-Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union | ||
Culture | ||
| Jews and Slavs in Eastern Europe | ||
| Russian Business Culture | ||
| Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Cinema | ||
| Russia Today | ||
| Introduction to Russian Culture and Society: _____ | ||
| Post-Soviet Communication | ||
| Biography of a City: _____ | ||
| Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian Cinema | ||
| Main Currents of Russian Thought I | ||
| Main Currents of Russian Thought II | ||
Literature | ||
| The Russian Literary Genius | ||
| Introduction to Russian Poetry | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Turgenev | ||
| Russian Theatre and Drama from Stanislavski and Chekhov to the Present | ||
| The "Woman Question" in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature | ||
| The Devil in Russian Literature | ||
| Biblical Themes in Modern Russian Literature | ||
| Russian and East European Science Fiction | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Russian Literature in Translation: _____ | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Pushkin and Evgenij Onegin | ||
| The Russian Short Story | ||
| Russian Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| The Russian Novel in the Age of Realism | ||
| Russian Literary Modernism: 1880-1930 | ||
| Soviet Russian Literature: 1930-1990 | ||
| Post-Soviet Literature | ||
| Nabokov | ||
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 20 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Russian Business and Professional Culture Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| The following courses provide fundamental skills for the minor, but do not contribute to the minimum required hours for the minor. | ||
| Elementary Russian I. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 104 | Elementary Russian I | 5 |
| Elementary Russian II. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 108 | Elementary Russian II | 5 |
| Intermediate Russian I. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 204 | Intermediate Russian I | 5 |
| Russian Business and Professional Culture Required Courses | ||
| Intermediate Russian II. Satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 208 | Intermediate Russian II | 5 |
| Advanced Russian, satisfied by one of the following: | 6 | |
| Advanced Russian I and Advanced Russian II | ||
| Russian for the Professions I and Russian for the Professions II | ||
| Russian Business/Professional Culture, satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| SLAV 330 | Russian Business Culture | 3 |
| SLAV 503 | Post-Soviet Communication | 3 |
| Required Research Project, satisfied by: | ||
| RUSS 675 | Readings in Russian | 1 |
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 18 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Slavic Cultures in Translation Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| West Slavic Literature and Civilization or South Slavic Literature and Civilization. Satisfied by: | 3 | |
| Masterworks of Polish and Czech Literature | ||
or SLAV 508 | South Slavic Literature and Civilization | |
| Slavic Culture. Satisfied by two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Russian Culture | ||
| Survey of Russian Literature in Translation | ||
| Introduction to Slavic Folklore | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
| Junior/Senior Slavic Literature and Culture. Satisfied by 3 junior/senior (300+) SLAV courses (9 hours) from the following: | 9 | |
| Jews and Slavs in Eastern Europe | ||
| The Russian Literary Genius | ||
| Totalitarianism and Literature in Central Europe | ||
| Love, Lust and Liberty: Polish and Czech Film Adaptations | ||
| Dostoevsky | ||
| Tolstoy | ||
| Turgenev | ||
| Russian Theatre and Drama from Stanislavski and Chekhov to the Present | ||
| The "Woman Question" in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature | ||
| The Devil in Russian Literature | ||
| Biblical Themes in Modern Russian Literature | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Russian Literature in Translation: _____ | ||
| Introduction to Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| The Cultural Impact of Ottoman Empire on the South Slavs | ||
| Language, Culture and Ethnicity in Prehistoric Eastern Europe | ||
| The Russian Short Story | ||
| Russian Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| The Russian Novel in the Age of Realism | ||
| Russian Literary Modernism: 1880-1930 | ||
| Soviet Russian Literature: 1930-1990 | ||
| Post-Soviet Literature | ||
| Nabokov | ||
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 18 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Slavic Jewish Studies Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Slavic Courses With a Jewish Studies Component. Satisfied by 3 of the following: | 9 | |
| Jews and Slavs in Eastern Europe | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
or SLAV 540 | Language and Identity in East-Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union | |
| Masterworks of Polish and Czech Literature | ||
| South Slavic Literature and Civilization | ||
| Love, Lust and Liberty: Polish and Czech Film Adaptations | ||
| The Cultural Impact of Ottoman Empire on the South Slavs | ||
| Judaism/Jewish Religious Expression. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Jewish Studies:_____ | ||
| Religion of Ancient Israel | ||
| Introduction to Judaism | ||
or REL 325 | Introduction to Judaism | |
| The Talmud: Its Origins, Nature, and Evolution | ||
| The Dead Sea Scrolls | ||
| Jews and Christians | ||
| Modern Jewish Thought | ||
| Studies in Judaism | ||
| Jewish Folklore | ||
| Required Electives. Satisfied by 2 of the following: | 6 | |
Geography | ||
| Understanding Central Asia | ||
History | ||
| French Revolution to the Present: Europe 1789-Present | ||
| Russia, An Introduction | ||
| The History of the Second World War | ||
| Hitler and Nazi Germany | ||
| Everyday Communism in Eastern Europe | ||
| Beyond the Iron Curtain: Soviet Perspectives on the Cold War | ||
| Nationalism and Communism in East Central Europe from 1772 to the Present | ||
| Medieval Russia | ||
| Imperial Russia | ||
| Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union | ||
| Eastern Europe, 19th and 20th Centuries | ||
| Colloquium in 20th Century Russia | ||
Jewish Studies | ||
| Introduction to Judaism | ||
or REL 325 | Introduction to Judaism | |
| The Holocaust in History | ||
| Modern Jewish History | ||
| Jewish Secular Culture | ||
| History of Jewish Women | ||
| Jews and Christians | ||
| Jewish Folklore | ||
Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies | ||
| Societies and Cultures of Eurasia | ||
Slavic | ||
| Jews and Slavs in Eastern Europe | ||
| Graphic Novels as Memory: Representations of the Holocaust and Communism | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
or SLAV 540 | Language and Identity in East-Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union | |
| Masterworks of Polish and Czech Literature | ||
| South Slavic Literature and Civilization | ||
| Love, Lust and Liberty: Polish and Czech Film Adaptations | ||
| The Cultural Impact of Ottoman Empire on the South Slavs | ||
Yiddish | ||
| Studies in Yiddish: ______ | ||
| Study Abroad Topics in Yiddish: _____ | ||
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 18 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
South Slavic Studies Track
Students choosing this minor track must complete courses as indicated in following areas:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| The following courses provide fundamental skills for the minor, but do not contribute to the minimum required hours for the minor. | ||
| Elementary Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I. Satisfied by: | ||
| BCRS 104 | Elementary Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I | 5 |
| Elementary Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II. Satisfied by: | ||
| BCRS 108 | Elementary Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II | 5 |
| Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I. Satisfied by: | ||
| South Slavic Studies Required Courses | ||
| BCRS 204 | Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I | 3 |
| BCRS 208 | Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II | 3 |
| SLAV 508 | South Slavic Literature and Civilization | 3 |
| 9 hours in South Slavic languages, history, cultures, or literatures at the 300 level or above, chosen from courses in the South Slavic studies emphasis | ||
| Required Electives. Satisfied by 3 courses (9 hours) chosen from the following: | 9 | |
| Intensive Croatian (summer in Croatia) | ||
| Readings in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian | ||
| Economic Systems | ||
| Everyday Communism in Eastern Europe | ||
| Nationalism and Communism in East Central Europe from 1772 to the Present | ||
| Marxism (or other relevant course in philosophy) | ||
| The Peoples and Cultures of Southeastern Europe Through Film | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
| Readings in Slovene | ||
| The Cultural Impact of Ottoman Empire on the South Slavs | ||
| Slavic Folklore | ||
| Language, Culture and Ethnicity in Prehistoric Eastern Europe | ||
| Topics in: _____ (Slavic Culture) | ||
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 18 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses (300+) in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Study Abroad
The department offers summer and semester options at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, and in conjunction with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, conducts summer institutes at universities in
- L’viv, Ukraine; and
- Zadar, Croatia.
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (internship program)
Some scholarship support is available.
Consult the Slavic department office or the Office of Study Abroad. Credit for non-KU programs is not automatic and is evaluated in consultation with the Slavic department undergraduate director.
Undergraduate and graduate students at KU are encouraged to spend a summer, semester, and/or year studying and conducting research in their country of interest.
Slavic Language Programs in Russia and Eastern Europe
KU students may take intermediate or advanced Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian at a 6-week summer institute in Croatia or attend a summer language program in Poland.
Graduate students at KU are encouraged to spend a summer, semester, and/or year studying and conducting research in their country of interest.