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Why Study Russian?

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Why Study Russian?


  1. The literature. Read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov in the original.
  2. The U.S. government has identified Russian as a “critical language,” and a range of funding opportunities are open to students who wish to master it.
  3. Russian will catch the attention of potential employers. Job interviewers will comment on your knowledge of Russian if they see it on your resume and will want to hear more.
  4. In a small language section, students receive extra attention and help. Russian has robust, faculty-led tutoring and advising programs that ensure students receive individualized support in our classes and assistance in planning for graduate school and careers.
  5. The OU Russian Club holds fun social events every semester, giving students the chance to get to know one another and faculty outside the classroom.
  6. Our faculty are highly qualified and experienced teachers and translators of Russian language, literature, and culture.
  7. Our alumni are successful. They include a New York Times reporter, the deputy director of a Washington D.C. think tank, military officers, analysts for security agencies, international bankers, award-winning literary translators, lawyers, and international development specialists.