Russian at the University of Alabama Dept. of Modern Languages & Classics Box 870246 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 34587-0246 Tel no. (205) 348-5054 Fax no. (205) 348-2042

The Russian Program

Knowledge of another language and culture is not only one of the marks of an educated person, but competence in a foreign language is also a valuable asset in many careers. While teaching, translating, and interpreting are positions readily available to students who study Russian, other types of employment may be pursued. In fact, students in areas of study as diverse as communication, business and industry, and science and technology will find Russian useful.

Even after the breakup of the Soviet Union, graduates with a knowledge of Russian are especially sought after by the U.S. State Department and the intelligence services. Next to English, Russian is one of the major languages in science and technology. Scientists, therefore, find a knowledge of the language helpful in their research and study. Cooperation between  NASA and the Russian Space Agency has given new importance to Russian-language skills with regard to space exploration. Individuals with a business degree and who have studied Russian enhance their opportunities for employment, since American companies are doing business in the republics of the former Soviet Union. Moreover, libraries often require their employees to have knowledge of a foreign language.

The Russian program at UA provides four years of instruction in Russian as well as such specialty courses as Russian phonetics. The program also offers courses on Russian culture, folklore and literature which are taught in English.

Students who already have some knowledge of Russian may, on the basis of a satisfactory score on a placement test or an interview with a member of the Russian faculty, be assigned to a course above the elementary level.

The University of Alabama has a chapter of Dobro Slovo, the national Slavic honor society. 

The Russian Minor

• Elementary Russian (101 and 102) 8 hours
• Intermediate Russian (201 and 202) 6 hours
• Advanced Russian (either 309-310 or 361-362) 6 hours

Last Update: 5-28-08