Department of Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian Studies

Contact Information: 
Campus Location: 1722 University Hall (UH) 
(312) 996-5218 
prls.uic.edu

Administration: 
Head, Michał Markowski
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Karen Underhill, kcu@uic.edu

The Department of Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian Studies (PRLS) offers language courses in Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. The undergraduate program develops language literacy skills and cultural competency in the regions of study.

Within the Bachelor of Arts with the Major in Central and Eastern European Studies, the department offers concentrations in Polish Studies, Russian Studies, and Central and Eastern European Studies. Minors in Polish Studies, Russian Studies, and Central and Eastern European Studies are also offered.

Students who choose a major or minor in the Department of Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian Studies build and solidify competence in their chosen foreign language—Polish, Russian, or Lithuanian—while deepening their knowledge of the cultures, literatures, history, and intellectual traditions of their chosen region. Department faculty work with all majors and minors to hone skills in critical thinking, academic and professional writing and speaking, and cultural sensitivity—highly sought in today’s global marketplace—while introducing them to new developments in literature, film, art and politics in their country or region of concentration, and within diaspora communities in the U.S.  PRLS students pursuing careers in the health professions, law, education, social work, criminology, business, and international relations expand their professional options and deepen connections to the community with linguistic and cultural competency skills in Polish, Russian, or Lithuanian

Degree Programs

The Department of Polish, Russian, and Lithuanian Studies (PRLS) offers the degree of BA with a Major in Central and Eastern European Studies. Each student electing the major or double-major will select a concentration in either Polish, Russian, or Central and Eastern European Studies (CEES), and work with an advisor to design a course of study accordingly.

Minors

A minor is offered by PRLS in three separate fields of study: 

  • Minor in Polish Studies
  • Minor in Russian Studies
  • Minor in Central and Eastern European Studies

Certificates

Campus Certificates are offered in both Polish and Russian language. Certificates may be earned by students from all schools within UIC.

Distinction

Departmental Distinction requires a 3.50/4.00 GPA in all department lower-division courses and a 3.75/4.00 GPA in all department upper-division courses taken.