The study of Russian at Grinnell opens the door to a challenging non-Western language and to the rich cultural and historical experience of the world's largest country. All courses in the Russian language sequence emphasize linguistic and cultural proficiency, with the goal of educating students who can speak, write, read, and understand the Russian language and use that knowledge for academic and general research, and in various professional contexts, both in the United States and in the Russian-speaking world. Particular emphasis is placed on speaking and listening skills at every level, and all language courses are conducted primarily in Russian. Courses in translation consider the important literary and cultural offerings of Russia's past and present, ranging from the great works by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, to the history of Russian film. The department provides an active and welcoming co-curricular program, with films, plays, concerts, lectures, and a weekly Russian table. Our Russian-language house residents regularly organize student events for those studying Russian.