Russian
Degree Types: Bachelor of ArtsMinor
Russian Studies is an interdisciplinary sub-field of the Humanities and Slavic Studies that pertains to linguistics, literature, arts, history, politics, and more, with a primary focus on the language, literature, and culture of historical and contemporary Russia, including the Soviet period and the Russian-speaking diaspora.
With a degree in Russian, you’ll gain key transferable skills like:
- Oral and Written Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving and Research Skills
- Attention to Detail and Organizational Skills
- Linguistic and Literacy Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
Questions?
Future students
contact the Liberal Arts Recruitment Team.
Current students
contact your academic adviser.
This program is housed
in the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
at Penn State University Park.
Explore Interests Related to Russian
Studies linguistic structures, fluency, and cultural expression. Prepares students to engage in cross-cultural communication, translate cultural narratives, and create media content for diverse audiences worldwide.
Examines the Russian language, literature, and culture. Prepares students to understand Russian-speaking communities, contribute to international policy discussions, and foster global cultural exchange with Russia.
About the Program
You might like this program if
- You understand the critical role that Russia plays in the world.
- You are considering an academic or professional career requiring strong training in a foreign language.
- Your first major is History, Comparative Literature, International Relations, Journalism, Linguistics, or other fields in which a knowledge of Russian is advantageous.
- You want to discover the rich world of Russian literature, arts, and cinema.
- Mastering Russian is important in your field, for example, in aerospace engineering, the computer sciences, and other sciences.
What you can explore
- Russian Culture and Civilization
- Seminar in Russian Literature
- Russian Translation
- Russian Film
- Russian Literature in English Translation: 1870 to Present
Pair it with a popular double major or minor
- International Politics
- Computer Science
- Security and Risk Analysis
- German
Out-of-Classroom Experiences
Internships
- U.S. Department of State
Education Abroad Opportunities
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Continuing Education
- Graduate school to study cognitive science, computer science, musicology, and Slavic linguistics
Job Titles
- Government Affairs Manager
- Foreign News Journalist
- Community Relations Manager
- Intelligence Analyst
- Business Consultant
- Diplomat
- Interpreter
- Professor
Industries
Data Analytics, Education, Finance, Military, Risk Analysis
Employers
- Amazon
- Duolingo
- UPMC
- Merk
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Defense
- United States Airforce
- Project Green Thumb