Welcome to Cornell’s Ukrainian Program!
UKRAN 1121/1122 Elementary Ukrainian. These in-person courses offer 4(3) credits and will help students develop elementary proficiency in the Ukrainian language while acquiring a basic knowledge of Ukrainian culture, history, geography, and way of life. The unique curriculum incorporates folk songs to improve understanding of phonetic and grammatical concepts. Students in the 3-credit section are not required to attend the first class each week, which is for review.
UKRAN 2200 Understanding Ukraine: History, Culture, Language, and the Road to Independence. This 2-credit interdisciplinary course offers a comprehensive introduction to Ukraine—its language, history, culture, and evolving national identity. Intended for students of all backgrounds, the course traces Ukraine’s development from its early origins through periods of imperial rule, the Soviet era, independence in 1991, and into the present, shaped by ongoing challenges, reform, and cultural revitalization.
UKRAN 3305 Reading and Writing in Ukrainian. The 2(3)-credit course is designed for students with Ukrainian heritage who speak more or less standard Ukrainian but have only beginner’s understanding of grammar and have not learned to read or write well (or have not learned written Ukrainian at all). In the two required classes, the focus will be on developing reading, writing, and grammar skills, while enhancing existing spoken fluency and cultural understanding. The third (optional) class teaches reading and discussion, focusing on contemporary styles.
UKRAN 3306 Reading in Ukrainian: Language, Literature and Culture. This 2-credit course is conducted entirely in Ukrainian and is open to both heritage and non-heritage learners. It may be repeated for credit. The course focuses on developing students’ reading fluency, expanding vocabulary, and enhancing oral communication skills through engagement with literature. At the start of the semester, the class selects readings together, matching students’ interests and language levels. These may include Ukrainian poetry, folklore, short stories, essays, or excerpts from longer works.
PLACEMENT TEST / CORNELL ADVANCED STANDING EXAM IN UKRAINIAN: If you’re unsure which Ukrainian course is the best fit for you or if you’d like to receive credit for your prior knowledge of Ukrainian, you have the option to take a placement test. Please refer to the Placement Test information in the Announcements section. Details on how to schedule the test and next steps will be posted there a few days before the start of classes.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: When taken for 3 credits, UKRAN 3305 satisfies the foreign language requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences and adds 3 credits towards fulfilling the liberal arts requirement in the School of Engineering.
Ukrainian Courses Available Through the Shared Course Initiative (SCI)
The following Ukrainian courses are offered remotely by Columbia University as part of the Shared Course Initiative (SCI) among Cornell, Columbia, and Yale:
- UKRAN 2133 – Intermediate Ukrainian I
- UKRAN 2134 – Intermediate Ukrainian II
- UKRAN 3133 – Advanced Ukrainian I
- UKRAN 3134 – Advanced Ukrainian II
For more information about the Shared Course Initiative, visit: Shared Course Initiative Website