Department Highlights
A tribute
Nowruz series lecture: Central Asia in the Soviet Union
Fall 2026 Slavic course offerings
Central Asian Studies Forum - May events
Nowruz Series in its third year in NU Slavic dept
Nowruz series events April - May
Slavic End of Year Reception
Please mark your calendars!
Central Asian Conversation Group
Polish conversation table on Mondays this Winter quarter
Message from the Chair
The entire world is focused on the horrific war on civilians Russia is waging in Ukraine. As scholars in Slavic, we feel a special obligation to serve as a resource in this difficult time. One of our highest obligations is to education: we are committed to supporting all students, scholars, and institutions in Ukraine and Russia who oppose and are suffering the consequences of Putin's aggression and repression. Ani Kokobobo, a Tolstoy scholar and immigrant from eastern Europe, offers a helpful perspective on the devastating impact of war on education.
Our Programs
Undergraduate
We offer beginning, intermediate and advanced Russian and Polish (and, less often, beginning and intermediate Czech), in addition to Russian and East European literature and film courses. Many of our students are double majors, or are pursuing a minor in Russian and East European Studies to complement their studies. Many of our majors and minors have studied abroad in Russia, Poland or the Czech Republic.
Graduate
Our PhD program ranks among the best in the country. We offer individual attention and the opportunity to pursue a personalized program by way of coursework taken outside the department. Students specialize in Russian literature, but our faculty also includes specialists in Polish, Czech and South Slavic literatures and cultures. Our greatest strengths are in Russian prose and poetry, literary theory, and in the social and intellectual context of literary works.
News and Events
Joint Statement of Opposition to Banning Scholars Based on Citizenship
The statement below, along with its translation in Ukrainian and Russian, can found on the ASEEES website.
As international professional associations that foster the study of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian peoples and cultures, ASEEES, BASEES, and AATSEEL* are committed to promoting international communication among scholars of all countries and identities across the humanities and social sciences. Open exchange and mutual respect among our members are fundamental to our principles.
Upcoming Events
May
21
2026
Central Asian Studies Forum: Turkic Language Workshop
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM, Evanston
Lesson led by Adam Willson, featuring special guest Dr. Kagan Arik, University of Chicago.
May
28
2026
Central Asian Studies Forum: Book Club 2
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Evanston
The Central Asian Studies Forum will hold their book club on Andrei Platonov's "Soul" (https://www.nyrb.com/products/soul)