With the opening of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union the world has become smaller. The most important parts of Russia industrially and strategically ? East Siberia and the South-East Russian Far East, the regions closest to New Zealand ? have opened up for independent trade, business and cultural contacts with Russia's eastern and southern neighbours. For the first time, direct business contacts have become possible between New Zealand and Russia. This new situation is a favourable development for the future of Russian studies in New Zealand.

Many of the best Western experts in Russian affairs started as Russian language and literature students; it is they who largely define Western policies towards Russia in America, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. It is time our geopolitical region produced its own experts on Russia.

• In Russian society, literature played a far more important role than in Western societies. Works of literature in many respects replaced the non-existent social institutions of Russia. Political, economic and philosophical thought in Russia were developed on the pages of Russian literature. In our courses at UC you will examine the colourful pages of Russian medieval and imperial history, Russia's literary achievements, the Bolshevik Revolution and the Communist experiment, as well as tensions and dynamics of the post-Soviet social and cultural situation.
• Many of our non-language courses can be credited to other majors (eg, European and European Union Studies).