RUSSIAN STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS

Engage with a new point of view.

In today’s interconnected world, fluency in other languages can increase career prospects and open up other opportunities. Mercyhurst’s Russian Studies major encourages the development of strong critical thinking and communication skills through immersion in Russian language and grammar, literature, culture and history. The working relationships Mercyhurst has developed with several study abroad programs also offer students the opportunity to earn credits abroad in a variety of formats, so we encourage all of our Russian studies majors to spend some time abroad.

Fast Facts

  • Mercyhurst’s Russian Studies grads work in range of fields, including government agencies, business, insurance, and international travel.

  • One of our highest honors is induction into Phi Sigma Iota, the international honors society for the study of foreign languages and cultures. Students are nominated in their junior or senior year and inducted at an annual spring dinner.

  • Our Russian Studies program is flexible enough so that students can pursue a double major or pair it with other minors.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge and accurate application of grammar concepts In Russian.
  • Demonstrate competence in listening and speaking in conversational settings.
  • Demonstrate ability to read and comprehend literary texts in Russian.
  • Write descriptive, narrative, expository and argumentative essays in Russian.
  • Identify major historical figures, architectural styles, paintings and moments in Russian cultural history.
  • Identify major literary figures, trends and works from Russian literature.
  • Analyze Russian literary texts in translation for content, structure and style.
study abroad

STUDY ABROAD

Mercyhurst World Language students apply their global competencies and language skills first-hand through study abroad. Our students have traveled throughout South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as they make meaningful, lasting connections and experience the unique music, food, sights, and cultural traditions in their countries of study.

fulbrights

FULBRIGHT PROGRAM

Mercyhurst participates in the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program for Russian, Arabic, and Mandarin. Each year, this program brings young professionals to the U.S. to share their linguistic and cultural expertise by teaching courses, offering conversation groups, and enriching our students' understanding of their area of study.

honor society

HONOR SOCIETY

Phi Sigma Iota is an international honor society for the study of foreign languages and cultures, and is one of the highest honors one can achieve in the field. Language majors and minors are nominated in their junior or senior year based on their GPA, a faculty recommendation, and completion of a 300-level language course (or equivalent).


Contact Us

Alice Edwards, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Office: Preston 206
Phone: 814-824-2548
Email: aedwards@mercyhurst.edu