Since the early 1950s, Indiana University has administered one of the nation’s largest programs in Russian Studies. In its Russian and East European Institute (REEI) and Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures, IU offers one of the largest concentrations of Russian studies specialists in the United States; five years of language instruction during the academic year; a summer intensive language program with nine levels (1st through 6th year) of Russian; and language across the curriculum courses in Russian.

Indiana University’s Russian collection ranks among the top research collections in the United States. The library has more than 210,000 volumes in Russian. The total Russian/Soviet collection is approximately 280,000 volumes. The IU Lilly Library houses a large collection of rare Slavic materials, including a treasury of early Slavic Bibles; rare documents on the Russian revolution; many first editions of Slavic belles lettres; and personal papers of the writer Aleksandr V. Amfiteatrov (1862-1938). In addition, REEI has area related films and other materials for loan.

IU frequently sends students abroad on CIEE Summer and Semester programs to Russia. Graduate students also take advantage of the Duke in St. Petersburg Summer Program.

There is ample opportunity to explore extracurricular interests through a large cultural program, including guest lectures, folk concerts, film showings, and a weekly Russian language table. A Slavic Resource Room in GA 4028 is also available for students to view Russian television programs. IU regularly offers Russian language instruction up to an advanced level during the academic year and in the summer. For more information on upcoming language and content classes, see the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures for academic year opportunities and the Language Workshop for summer opportunities.