The Department of Russian Language and Literature at Seoul National University (SNU) has officially changed its name to the Department of Russian and Eastern European Languages and Literatures. This marks a significant shift for the department, which has operated under its previous name for 43 years.
Academic Council Approves Name Change
The decision was finalized by the SNU Academic Council in mid-June and is expected to be formally announced by the university’s board of directors soon. The renaming reflects an expansion of the department’s academic focus, moving beyond a single country to encompass a broader regional scope.
Historical Context of the Department
Established in 1946 as part of the College of Liberal Arts upon the university’s founding, the department was initially named the Department of Russian Language and Literature. It was dissolved in 1949 but re-established in 1984. Its revival was driven by the growing academic interest in post-Cold War analyses and the demand for research on socialist countries.
Expanding Research Horizons
The name change signifies a strategic move to broaden the scope of research and academic inquiry. By shifting from a national focus (Russia) to a regional one (Eastern Europe), the department aims to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes within this vast geographical area.
This alignment with regional studies is not unique within South Korean academia. Other universities have also adopted broader regional classifications for their departments. For instance, Chung-Ang University’s Department of European Culture and Languages and Dankook University’s Department of Central and Southern European Studies exemplify this trend, defining their academic units by region rather than by individual nation-states.
International Precedent
Globally, universities with departments comparable to SNU’s former Russian Language and Literature program often use broader terms such as Slavic Languages and Literatures or Slavic Studies. This international practice further supports SNU’s decision to adopt a more inclusive and geographically expansive name.
Previous Regional Expansion at SNU
This is not the first time SNU’s College of Humanities has taken steps to embrace regional studies. In 2012, the university established the Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, signaling a commitment to educating and researching Asian cultures and languages on a regional rather than a purely national level.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Department of Russian Language and Literature to the Department of Russian and Eastern European Languages and Literatures at Seoul National University represents a forward-looking initiative. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of cultures and languages within Eastern Europe and aligns the department with international academic standards and SNU’s own history of embracing regional studies.
