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Undergraduate Studies

There are Special Paper XII options available on the structure and history of the following Slavonic languages:

  • Bulgarian / Macedonian (tbc)
  • Croatian / Serbian (tbc)
  • Czech
  • Polish
  • Slovak
  • Ukrainian (see also below)

The papers are usually offered by students in Russian, Czech or Polish. In special cases, they may also be available to students in other Modern Languages depending on their linguistic background.

The Slavonic languages are closely related. The papers give students the opportunity to expand their interests and studies into wider East-Central, South-Eastern, and Eastern Europe. They help to lay the foundations to become a specialist in a large and dynamic area with diverse historical legacies and a rich cultural and literary life. 

Students are offered a basic introduction to the respective language in the first year of the Honours course and then typically also attend a language course in the country for direct experience and further development of their language skills. In the final year, they embark on tutorials where we explore the linguistic development of the respective language and its modern sound system, grammar, vocabulary, and usage. The papers, therefore, are also very well suited to students who would like to develop their understanding of the relation between individual Slavonic languages, their differences and commonalities, as well as a range of topics in Slavonic linguistics.

 

Graduate Studies

The Faculty offers an M.St. and M.Phil. in Slavonic Studies, which allows students to become specialists in the area for further research or professional purposes. The course offers the opportunity for in-depth study of a new Slavonic language, and to choose from a wide range of options in philology, linguistics, literature, and history. For further information, please consult the relevant course pages here: M.St. and M.Phil. in Slavonic Studies.

 

Ukrainian: Special provisions

Over the recent past, the Faculty has taken special steps to firmly embed Ukrainian in teaching, research, and wider outreach. At undergraduate level, the above mentioned undergraduate option in the Structure and History of Ukrianian is regularly taken by students. It includes specialist introductory language tuition for learners with a background in another Slavonic language. Ukrainian language, the History of Ukrainian, and the Structure of Ukrainian are regularly taken core graduate options on the above mentioned M.St / M.Phil. in Slavonic Studies. These Master’s courses also allow for the study of topics in Ukrainian literature and cultural history. We welcome proposals for doctoral research in Ukrainian linguistics / philology, literature, cinema, and cultural history, to join doctoral students in the Faculty currently already working in these areas. 

Members of the Faculty are actively involved in a range of other activities aimed at promoting Ukrainian studies more widely. The Oxford Ukraine Hub is an interdisciplinary network of scholars which organises regular talks and events on topics pertaining to Ukraine: https://www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/article/oxford-ukraine-hub. Members of the Faculty conduct and publish research in Ukrainian studies, e.g. in Ukrainian philology and linguistics, and they have been involved in hosting Ukrainian researchers at risk. A range of public events was aimed at promoting and advancing knowledge about Ukrainian culture and literature, such as, e.g., special lectures / seminars delivered by Oksana Zabuzhko, Kateryna Babkina, Oleksandr Mykhed, Olena Stiazhkina. These various activities are ongoing, also thanks to the initiative of current doctoral students, and meet the very welcome increased interest in Ukraine. Other departments in the University are equally engaged in teaching and research pertaining to Ukraine, notably the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies.