An Interdepartmental Major

Sir Winston Churchill called Russia “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” The Russian Area Studies program explores Russia and the former Soviet Union, a vast region stretching from Poland to the Pacific Ocean, a land of extremes: anarchy and totalitarianism; super-growth and stagnation; stability and dramatic volatility. The world’s largest producer of oil, Russia has also given the world one of its most glorious literary and musical canons. The Russian Area Studies program is based on the premise that the region is best explored through an interdisciplinary study of its culture, history, politics, and language. The program prepares students for a range of careers, including work in government, business, academia, and the arts.