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Russian



Russian

The Russian Department stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and everyone across the world who is impacted by the war.

Russian is classified by the U.S. State Department as a "critical language," meaning language proficiency remains a politically relevant skill and an in-demand field of expertise among employers. Understanding Russia’s changing role on the world stage also demands in-depth knowledge of its rich literary and cultural heritage.

Dickinson’s Russian program is designed to prepare students to meet contemporary challenges in any profession. Our curriculum combines intensive language and cultural training with a wide variety of interdisciplinary courses taught in both Russian and English. This includes a wide variety of opportunities to study Russian-speaking cultures and peoples, from indigenous communities to countries of the former Soviet Union.

A Russian major or minor is often paired with business, international studies, environmental science, security studies and other foreign languages. The highly interdisciplinary nature of the program offers pathways to integrate the study of Russian with any other major. Our alumni have successful careers in banking, education, government, law, science and the art world, to name a few.

What Makes Dickinson's Program Stand Out?

  • Intensive Russian for all levels, from beginners to heritage speakers
  • Career-focused courses such as Professional Translation and Russian for Intelligence Careers
  • National leader in Fulbright fellowships and other competitive scholarships
  • Dickinson Center in Tbilisi, Georgia, including internship opportunities
  • The Russian House: an on-campus residence option for students of all levels
  • Continued collaboration with the Dickinson Center in Moscow connects students with specialists based in the region

Support the program! Make a designated donation to the Russian Department.

Contact Info

Chair

Alyssa DeBlasioAssociate Professor of Russian

Department Coordinator

Shana KitnerAcademic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1277

Fax

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Location

Rm. 105, 1st floor, Bosler Hall Mailing Address

Department Features



Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • United States Foreign Service
  • J.P. Morgan Chase
  • National Security Agency
  • Sotheby’s Auction House
  • U.S. Department of State
  • Center for International Private Enterprise
  • American Councils for International Education
  • U.S. Government Accountability Office
  • National Committee on American Foreign Policy
  • Mercuria Energy America
  • The Washington Post
  • Disney Company Russia

Graduate Schools

  • Harvard University
  • Georgetown University
  • Fulbright Program
  • Tufts University
  • AmeriCorps
  • Higher School of Economics
  • Columbia University
  • University of California Berkeley
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Bolshoi Ballet Company 
  • Greenpeace Russia
  • Summer Language Institute – University of Pittsburgh
  • Russian State Historical Museum
  • Library of Congress
  • US Army War College – Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
  • American Embassy in Moscow
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Student Perspective

“I really enjoy how both of my majors encompass so many different aspects of their respective geographic areas—history, literature, politics and culture, to name a few—in order for me to formulate a rigorous and in-depth study of the French and Russian spheres of life. In short, both of my majors are so much more than just the language. Particularly with my Russian major, we also cover life and culture in Eastern Europe as a whole, which I believe is an extremely important and crucial topic to study nowadays, given the current situation in that part of the world.”

— Andrew Cummings ’24 


Alumni in Action



Russian Department News

The Language of Giving Back

The Language of Giving Back

"It was unforgettable." While studying abroad, Vasilisa Pallis ’24 taught English to Ukrainian refugees, translated for the Red Cross and volunteered for the German Special Olympics.

Uplifting Their Voices: Ukraine Takes Spotlight During Fall Arts Events

Uplifting Their Voices: Ukraine Takes Spotlight During Fall Arts Events

Ukrainian music, literature and art come to life this fall, with visits from the Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus and the translator and artist Veronika Yadukha.

Student Snapshot: Andrew Cummings ’24 

Student Snapshot: Andrew Cummings ’24 

“It’s such a good feeling when you're able to get your point across effectively in a foreign language and are able to navigate on your own and help others.” Meet Andrew Cummings ’24 (French, Russian).

Dickinson College to Host Discussion on First Anniversary of Russia-Ukraine War

Dickinson College to Host Discussion on First Anniversary of Russia-Ukraine War

Dickinson will host a panel of experts to discuss the current situation in Ukraine.

Humanities Professors Seize ‘Urgent Moment’ With $350,000 Mellon Grant

Humanities Professors Seize ‘Urgent Moment’ With $350,000 Mellon Grant

Two Dickinson professors earn a $350,000 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant to reimagine the study of disability and equity across the curriculum.

Student Snapshot: Amos Ek

Student Snapshot: Amos Ek '24

Amos Ek ’24 is a Russian-language major and avid gamer who studied abroad in the Czech Republic.