A history of Slavic studies in the United States

This volume traces the emergence of Slavic and East‑European scholarship in American colleges, beginning with the modest, often individual‑driven courses that appeared at the end of the nineteenth century. It shows how early efforts to build libraries and collect materials grew slowly until the upheavals of the World Wars sparked a far broader interest. Alongside the academic story, the author highlights the vital role of millions of Slavic immigrants, whose communities and cultural contributions helped shape the field in ways that differ from the experience of scholars in Slavic‑language nations.

The narrative moves through the formative years, detailing how formal programs took shape, how wartime needs reshaped research priorities, and how post‑1945 expansion created a vibrant network of undergraduate and graduate work. By connecting these developments to wider American cultural and educational trends, the book offers listeners a nuanced picture of a discipline that has always blended scholarly ambition with the lived realities of a diverse immigrant heritage.