The major in Russian offered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures acquaints students with Russian literature and culture, develops students' appreciation of literary values and skill in literary analysis, and gives them a basic competence in Russian. For an area major in Russian studies, which is administered by the Slavic Department, see Russian and East European Studies.

Students majoring in Russian may concentrate exclusively on Russian language and literature (Program I), or they may elect to study Russian literature in the context of comparative studies of literature (Program II). For Program II, credit is given for work done in other departments. Specific courses in each program must be arranged with the director of undergraduate studies.
Students interested in specializing in Russian or Slavic linguistics may arrange a special concentration in linguistics with the director of undergraduate studies.