Russian

Small classes and individual attention give students of OU's Russian program a chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Students interact with dedicated faculty from the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics to prepare for exciting careers involving Russian language or culture, and many students choose Russian as part of preparation for law school admission.

Degrees Offered

Students studying Russian graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian degree. The department also offers a Russian minor. Many students studying Russian continue their education by pursuing graduate-level studies.

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Russian at OU

Why Study Russian at OU?

The OU Russian program offers regular conversation hours and immersion exercises so that students can practice their language skills in an informal setting. Two clubs for students interested in Russian exist on campus: Russian club and the Russian-Speaking Student Association (RUSSA).
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics encourages its students to study abroad to give them an on-the-ground perspective, and OU has exchange programs with several universities in Russia and former Soviet countries.
Many alumni and current students of OU's Russian program are members of Dobro Slovo, the national Slavic honor society. Students go on to law schools and doctoral programs around the country, including Middlebury College's prestigious Russian Language School.

Career Opportunities

Advertising and marketing firms
U.S. Foreign Service
Freelance translator
Media organizations
Government agencies
College and universities

Courses Offered

RUSS 1115 Beginning Russian
- An elementary course in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Russian. This course does not count for major credit in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.
RUSS 1225 Beginning Russian Continued
- An elementary course in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Russian. This course does not count for major credit in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. Prerequisite: RUSS 1115.
RUSS 2113 Intermediate Russian
- Training in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding contemporary Russian. Emphasis on expansion of vocabulary and strong reinforcement of grammatical structures. Prerequisite: RUSS 1225.
RUSS 2223 Intermediate Russian Continued
- Continued training in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding contemporary Russian. Emphasis on expansion of vocabulary and strong reinforcement of grammatical structures. Prerequisite: RUSS 2113.
RUSS 3323 Advanced Russian Reading and Composition
- A systematic grammar review with a view toward improving the student's control of written Russian. Prerequisite: RUSS 2223.
RUSS 3423 Advanced Russian Reading and Composition Continued
- A systematic grammar review with a view toward improving the student's control of written Russian. Prerequisite: RUSS 3323.
RUSS 4173 Topics in Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature and Culture
- May be repeated once with change of content; maximum credit six hours. A course for advanced students of the Russian language. All reading assignments and lectures will be in Russian. Prerequisite: RUSS 3423.
RUSS 4183 Topics in 20th and Post-20th Century Russian Literature and Culture (Capstone)
- May be repeated once with change of content; maximum credit six hours. A course for advanced students of the Russian language. All reading assignments and lectures will be in Russian. Prerequisite: RUSS 3423.