Slavic Studies Major

The Slavic Department offers students the opportunity to study the languages, literatures, and cultures of Russia and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Croatia. During Fall and Spring terms, the department offers courses in Russian, Polish, Slovak, and Ukrainian, and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian.

In addition, the Summer Language Institute, a well-established and popular program of intensive language study, which attracts students from across the country, offers the opportunity to cover two semesters of first- through fourth-year Russian, first- through fourth-year Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, first- and second-year Polish and Bulgarian, first, second and third-year Slovak, and first-year Ukrainian during a period of six to eight weeks. SLI also offers a study-abroad component where students may study for five weeks in Pittsburgh and five weeks in Moscow, or six weeks in Pittsburgh and four weeks in either Poland, Bulgaria, or Slovakia.

Deserving special mention is the department’s program in Slovak language, literature, and culture – the only such program in the United States. The Russian Club, Polish Student’s Club, the Pitt Student Slovak Club and the Ukrainian Student Organization are active clubs within the Slavic Department. Currently the Department offers a Russian major, Slavic Studies major, and a self-designed Polish major. A minor in Slovak language and culture is also offered.

Prospective Slavic Studies majors include students whose primary interest is language or literature, students who wish to enhance their career opportunities, students who have an interest in Central and East European politics and culture, and students with a desire to explore their ethnic heritage.

Slavic Studies majors may choose to double-major in another discipline in Arts & Sciences. They may continue their studies in graduate or professional school, or go on to careers in law, engineering, business and government. The study of Russian and other Slavic languages is particularly valuable when working in local institutions, politics, business, health-related professions, and the media because of the great number of people who trace their roots to the various Slavic nations of Central and Eastern Europe.

Certificate Programs

Slavic Studies majors are strongly encouraged to earn an interdepartmental Russian and East European Studies Certificate, many of the requirements for which overlap with the requirements for majoring in Russian

Major Requirements

View major requirements for the Slavic Studies major.

Study Abroad

Slavic Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer or for an academic term.