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Slavic Department
The Slavic department prides itself on giving students a strong foundation in language study, which serves as invaluable preparation for future graduate work in literature, history, economics, or political science, as well as for careers in government, business, journalism, or international law. The Barnard-Columbia Slavic Department offers academic instruction in six Slavic languages and literature (Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Polish, Serbian/ Croatian/ Bosnian, and Ukrainian), with particularly extensive offerings in Russian. Four majors are available to students in the Barnard Slavic Department.
Fall 2026 Information for Current Students
Fall 2026 information for current students, including the block schedule, course listings, and details, has moved to Portal.
Going forward, the Portal will be the primary place for schedule updates and announcements, so we recommend bookmarking it and checking in regularly.
Going forward, the Portal will be the primary place for schedule updates and announcements, so we recommend bookmarking it and checking in regularly.
Our Majors and Minors
Major
Four majors across two tracks:
Humanities Track:
1. Russian Language and Literature
2. Slavic and East European Literature and Culture (Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, Ukrainian)
Social Science Track:
1. Russian Regional Studies
2. Slavic and East European Regional Studies (Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, Ukrainian)
Humanities Track:
1. Russian Language and Literature
2. Slavic and East European Literature and Culture (Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, Ukrainian)
Social Science Track:
1. Russian Regional Studies
2. Slavic and East European Regional Studies (Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, Ukrainian)
Minor in Russian
The Minor in Russian allows students to study the language and culture of Russia at a smaller scale than a Major.
Minor in Czech, Polish, Serbo-Croatian or Ukrainian
A Minor in a Slavic language other than Russian allows students to pursue in-depth studies of this language and the region on a smaller scale than the one required for a Major.
Careers After a Slavic Major
A Barnard degree in Slavic studies is an ideal foundation for careers in multiple fields, such as research, business, law, government, education, media, and international relations. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate programs in Slavic literature, linguistics, or area studies.
Our Faculty
Laurie Postlewate
Acting Chair
In Memoriam
Richard F. Gustafson
In Memoriam (May 5, 2024)
Catharine Nepomnyashchy
In Memoriam (March 21, 2015)