Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.
Majors in Russian will be able to:

• Use advanced Russian grammar/communication (the spontaneous production of grammatically correct Russian).

• Use advanced Russian stylistics (the ability to produce Russian in the style appropriate to the context).

• Understand the culture and Literature of Russia and also the ability to discuss complex literary and cultural expressions at a sophisticated level, producing, demonstrating, and defending definable arguments and critical thinking).

• Use proper research methodology (the ability to locate and to make productive use of secondary sources, to frame an argument by means of an effective structure).