About Us

 

Yana, and Brian with Dean Manderscheid and Divisional Dean Hahn

Established in 1962, the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures is dedicated to researching and teaching the languages, literatures, and cultures of the East, Central, and Southeast European nations and peoples. From the outset, the department has embraced the identity of a genuinely "Slavic and East European" (rather than "Russian) department, and it has maintained that broad scope ever since.

At the same time, the Department has responded to recent academic trends by making the transition from a traditional "languages, linguistics, and literatures" department to one that increasingly explores Slavic and other cultures of the region from an interdisciplinary perspective. Active engagement with research in turn enhances the teaching, advising, and community outreach missions of the Department.

We are fortunate to be part of a rich Ohio State community supporting excellence in Slavic studies which includes the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, the East European and Slavic Studies Reference Collection, and the Hilandar Research Library and Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies.

Scholarship

The research interests of the faculty are diverse. Areas of strength include literature, film studies, women's studies, and linguistics. In terms of region, the faculty have expertise in Russia, Central Europe, and Southeast Europe. Collectively, our eleven active tenured or tenure-line faculty have produced more than 25 monographs, 45 edited volumes, 10 book translations, and hundreds of research articles. They serve as editors for major academic journals, and on the executive committees of national professional organizations.

The academic community has recognized the work of Department members through such awards as AATSEEL’s Outstanding Contribution to the Profession (Charles Gribble 1992, Irene Delic 2004), AWSS’s Outstanding Achievement in Slavic Studies (Helena Goscilo 1997), and AATSEEL’s Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship (Helena Goscilo 2009); honorary doctorates (Biran Joseph: La Trobe University, 2006, University of Patras, 2008); fellow status in honorary societies (Brian Joseph: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science); and book awards (Daniel Collins).

Our graduate students actively participate in national and international conferences and publish their research. The linguistics students also organize an annual graduate student conference. Undergraduate students are encouraged to get involved with research by writing honors theses, or by working as research assistants to faculty.

Teaching and Advising

We are proud to offer a wide variety of courses, from introductory language courses to specialized graduate seminars. Every year we provide language training in Russian (1st-5th year), Polish (1st-2nd year), Romanian (1st-2nd year), and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (1st-2nd year). We periodically offer Czech as a "four skills" language, as well as courses that focus on reading knowledge of Old Church Slavonic and other languages. We also deliver a great variety of courses in literature, film, culture, folklore, and linguistics.

Nearly 100 undergraduate students are currently majoring or minoring in Russian or Slavic and East European Studies. Recent graduates have found careers in a number of fields, including business, education, government, journalism, and law.

The Department has one of the premier comprehensive graduate programs in the country. We offer M.A. and Ph.D. programs in two tracks: Slavic Literature, Film, and Cultural Studies; and Slavic Linguistics. We are also one of the largest Slavic graduate programs, with about 20 students at any given time. While completing a set of basic requirements, students are also given flexibility to develop specialized scholarly interests from the beginning of their study. Strong emphasis is placed on mentoring graduate students in their research, teaching, and professionalization. Our M.A. and Ph.D. graduates work in academia (as tenure-line faculty, lecturers, or administrators), in government, and in the private sector.

A wide variety of activities promote the intellectual life of our community both inside and outside of the classroom. Check out the calendar of events.

Outreach

The Department, through the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, maintains close links with Ohio-area K-12 institutions and advocates for the inclusion of Russian and East European languages and area studies in state and local curricula. For instance, to support the teaching of Russian in the state, the Center and Department co-sponsor an annual Russian Language Olympiada. 

Contact Us

Thank you for visiting the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures! Please take a look around our website. Also feel free to email us, give us a call (614-292-6733) or visit us at our office (400 Hagerty Hall) for further information.