Russian (JH)

Overview

Why study Russian?

Russian is the first language of nearly 150 million people; it is spoken by more than 260 million people around the world. Russia is a major player in the global economy, with ties both to Europe and Asia, and beyond. Russian writers, musicians and artists have made a considerable contribution to European culture; Russian history has helped shape Europe as we know it today. Exploring Russia’s past and present helps understand the interaction between Europe’s eastern and western traditions. In the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies we give students a considerable amount of individual attention and support. Our students can tailor the programme to develop their interests and skills. You will find the Russian programme exciting and rewarding if you enjoy language study, are interested in unfamiliar cultures, have a sense of adventure and are not afraid of a challenge.

Do you enjoy…

• Discovering a culture through its literature and language?
• Getting to know people and places?
• Exploring and engaging with cultural, linguistic, social and political diversity in the world?

Russian at Trinity

You will study Russian language from beginner level or continue your advanced level in a small group setting. You will explore and engage with cultural, literary, social and political diversity in Russia and Eastern Europe. You will have a life-changing opportunity to study abroad. You will develop linguistic skills and intercultural competencies for a competitive advantage in the job market.

Serious study of languages has never been more relevant. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes it easier for companies and organisations to establish contact with foreign partners, further advancing globalisation, there is an increased need for high-level multilingual staff who can manage international teams, take legal responsibility for translations, and conduct multicultural negotiations. Ever advancing AI may indeed replace a basic command of a foreign language but highly fluent critical thinkers are, and will remain, in ever higher demand.

Pathways

At entry, Russian must be combined with one other subject. In later years, you will be able to select additional subjects and electives. The pathways available for study are Single Honours, Major with Minor and Joint Honours in Russian.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Career paths followed by recent graduates are often ones where Russian-language competence is directly relevant. These include the arts and media; education; business, finance; IT/Telecommunications; tourism; law; and civil and public service.

Our recent graduates have pursued careers in many different fields: filmmaker, interpreter, political correspondent, e-commerce marketing specialist, human rights monitor, Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Accenture, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Colliers International, PwC, Reuters, Irish Distillers to name a few. Some graduates also opt to pursue further postgraduate study in Ireland or abroad.

The intercultural communication competencies, analytical and critical thinking skills you will gain with your degree in Russian is a very attractive combination for prospective employers. It will give you a competitive advantage in the job market even for career paths where Russian may not be directly involved in your day-to-day work.

Your degree and what you’ll study

At entry, Russian must be combined with one other subject. In later years, you will be able to select additional subjects and electives

Most students start Russian as complete beginners, and take an intensive first-year language course (with 5 hours of language classes per week). Special provisions are made for students with prior knowledge of Russian (native, near-native speakers, those who have passed Russian in the Leaving Certificate or have taken another entrance qualification in Russian).

In addition to language study, you will take modules covering aspects of Russian literature, Russian history and Russian culture, society and politics. In later years, you will also have the option to study a second Slavonic language (Polish, Bulgarian or Croatian).

First and second years

In the first and second years, there are approximately ten hours of classes per week, divided between language work and literary, cultural and area studies.In the first and second years, classes cover three main areas:

• Russian language: these classes help develop fluency in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and build the foundation for more advanced language study in the third and fourth years.
• Central, East European and Russian area studies: in the first year, you will take a survey course addressing the geopolitical space of Central and Eastern Europe. Europe in the second year; the focus is exclusively on Russia, when you will follow a course of lectures in Russian on aspects of contemporary Russian society, politics and culture
• Russian cultural and literary studies: you will be introduced to central figures and major topics in Russian literary and cultural history. You will progress from reading literary texts mainly in translation to tackling key works by Russian writers in the original Russian writers.

Third and fourth years

You will combine advanced language study and a wide range of module choices, allowing you to choose options that reflect your own interests. Options include more specialised study of Russian literature and culture, history of Russia and the Soviet Union, Russian society and politics, and a second Slavonic language (Bulgarian, Croatian or Polish). In the final year, you will also undertake a Capstone project on a topic of your own choice. 

At all levels, you will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and exams. We use a mix of traditional and innovative continuous assessment methods: essays, project work, presentations, book reviews and dossiers, podcast creation. Final year students also write a Capstone project.

There are QQI/FET routes available for this course. Please see www.cao.ie for details.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.

Study abroad

A year or semester studying abroad is one of the highlights of a student’s Trinity experience. Single Honours students have a compulsory third year of study abroad and other students are encouraged to spend one semester in their third year in our partner university in Estonia.

We currently have an exchange agreement with Tallinn University, School of Humanities. For more information on study abroad destinations and requirements visit www.tcd.ie/global/mobility/outbound/