In 1946, the study of Russian language was first offered to students at Mount Holyoke College. Russian was taught at this time and shortly after through a cooperative program between Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. With increasing annual enrollment in Russian courses at Mount Holyoke, a Russian Department with a full major program was established in the 1960/1961 academic year. The first chairperson of the department was Professor Vladimir Sajkovic. In 1961, the Russian House was founded for student residents who spoke and desired to speak Russian. In 1982, in addition to a major program in Russian Language and Literature, an interdisciplinary major program in Russian Studies was developed. This program, now called Russian and Eurasian Studies, has undergone several name changes since its establishment. It combines the study of Russian Language and Literature with politics, history, and economics, and has been called Russian and Soviet Studies, Russian Studies, Russian and Commonwealth Studies, and Russian and Eurasian Studies.
The Mount Holyoke College Russian Department Records contain reports; memoranda; press releases; lists; news clippings; flyers; and photographs. The annual reports of the department to the President of the College are held in the records. These reports contain information pertaining to the development of the department, courses offered, plans for the department, needs of the department, department events (including films and lectures), enrollment trends, majors, curriculum, student activities, department expenses, faculty activities, the Russian House, and personnel changes. Memoranda pertains mainly to proposed courses of study and course description in the department. Advertising materials, including clippings, press releases, and flyers, pertain to the department itself, the Russian House, lectures, films, and exhibits. Lists of the activities of the department's alumnae can be found in the records in addition to photographs of faculty, staff, students, and guests in the Russian House, language laboratory, and classroom scenes.
Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:
Russian Department Records, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA.