Russian - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre <a href="/live/image/gid/497/width/650/86496_Russian_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86496"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/497/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86496_Russian_main_image.rev.1607651010.webp 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/497/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86496_Russian_main_image.rev.1607651010.jpg 2x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/497/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86496_Russian_main_image.rev.1607651010.webp 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/497/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86496_Russian_main_image.rev.1607651010.jpg 1x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/497/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86496_Russian_main_image.rev.1607651010.jpg" alt="Learning Russian opens doors to careers in business, government, social services, education, journalism, and more." width="720" height="690" data-max-w="1104" data-max-h="1058" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a> <div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption">Learning Russian opens doors to careers in business, government, social services, education, journalism, and more.</div> Academics World Languages Russian Russian With a minor in Russian, you will develop practical language skills and acquire an understanding of some of the world’s most influential cultural legacies, such as those of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Akhmatova, and Nabokov. Our goal is to prepare students to make a difference in today’s interconnected world and open doors to careers in business, government, social services, education, journalism, and more. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Minor in Russian? Russian is the primary language of some 164 million people and is spoken as a secondary language by an additional 114 million. One of the five official languages of the United Nations, Russian is also on the United States’ list of strategic languages due to a shortage of U.S. specialists in the language and geographic area. Globally, there is a need for people who speak Russian and understand Russian and post-Soviet cultures. For numerous international political issues—such as cybersecurity, access to oil and gas, the war in Ukraine, nuclear programs in Russia and North Korea, and so on—it’s crucial that the U.S. be able to engage with the Russian Federation and other Russian-speaking nations. Apply Visit What You’ll Study We offer a minor in Russian through the Department of World Languages and Literatures . Our language courses are offered at all levels. You’ll also find English-language courses on Russian literature and culture—students with no knowledge of Russian can study the works of Pushkin, Gogol, and Turgenev, while advanced students will find challenging courses to increase their fluency. Many of our students earn course credit on overseas programs. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, including the one in Tbilisi, Georgia the Kyrgyzstan and Latvia programs are designed specifically for developing advanced language skills through immersive learning. Outside the classroom, the Keck Interactive Learning Center is a language center and community area that is packed with linguistic and cultural resources. The Global Languages and Cultures Living-Learning Community is a unique on-campus housing option with an immersive language-based focus. Each year we host a visiting Fulbright scholar who teaches our conversation courses and offers tutoring support. We collaborate with other departments and programs to bring prominent scholars, journalists, and public figures to campus to share their expertise on Russia, the post-socialist world, and U.S.-Russia relations. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading... <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Soviet Science Fiction with Assistant Professor of Russian Maria Hristova</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> It was taught in English so anyone can take it. We learned about, and got to watch, soviet science-fiction movies. I really enjoy learning about the Soviet Union, so this class was awesome!</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/14826-marcella-chavez"> <a href="/live/profiles/14826-marcella-chavez">Marcella Chavez BA ’21</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: World Languages (Spanish and Russian) </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>One of the upper-level Russian courses I took with Professor Osipovich (now emerita)</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> It was the first time I found myself seeking out material in a foreign language that interested me and the first time I wrote an essay in long form in Russian. It prepared me for study in Russia (and, eventually graduate school), but it also gave me access to Russian culture and literature in a new way.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/13668-david-salkowski"> <a href="/live/profiles/13668-david-salkowski">David Salkowski BA ’14</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Music </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Russian Studies </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Introduction to Linguistics with Professor of Chinese Keith Dede</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> I consider myself a total language nerd. I love languages, and this class expanded my knowledge even more about how a language works. I love that I am learning what linguists use to analyze languages. One day I hope to be able to do it myself and help with the preservation of languages.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/14559-juan-martin-lopez-melendez"> <a href="/live/profiles/14559-juan-martin-lopez-melendez">Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: World Languages </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Theatre </div> </div> </div> </div> Complement Your Education With One of These Majors The most popular majors for our Russian minors are international affairs political science history and world languages and literatures What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I decided to study French and Russian based on my passion. In my first semester, I started taking classes based on what captured my attention, which eventually led to me choosing world languages as my major. Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23 World Languages | Theatre | La Piedad, Michoacán, México/Fresno, California/Las Vegas, New Mexico More about Juan Martín What Can You Do With a Minor in Russian? Our alumni use their minor in Russian to secure prestigious scholarships and grants (like the Fulbright and Boren), as well as to get internships and jobs, or continue their studies in graduate school. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors Strong faculty support and rigorous academic expectations for second (and third) language acquisition help students achieve whatever they set their minds to do. Assistant Professor of Russian; Russian Section Head Maria (Masha) Hristova More about Maria (Masha) 125 of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids. 2,139 As of fall 2024, there are 2,139 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College. 4-5-6 Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future. 19 Average class size for undergraduate students 52 nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition Find Your People The student-led Russian Club brings together anyone who is interested in the Russian-speaking world. Events include visits to Portland-area museums, the symphony, and grocery stores; movie nights; craft and game nights; Russian food cook-outs; and much more. Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You The hands-on mentorship, the thoughtful pedagogy, and, of course, my classmates at L&C holistically prepared me for graduate school. David Salkowski BA ’14 Music | Russian Studies More about David I spent the year after graduation as an English teach in a Jerusalem elementary school. After that I began a PhD in history at Stanford University, where I am currently working on a dissertation that focuses on Jews in the Russian Empire. Aaron Schimmel BA ’18 History | Russian More about Aaron L&C taught me the skills to think critically, which will help me throughout my life Marcella Chavez BA ’21 World Languages (Spanish and Russian) | Worthington, Ohio More about Marcella Featured News Hristova Receives Graves Award in the Humanities Read the story More News and Events → Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni