Acquiring a mastery of the Russian language and examining the rich cultural heritage of Russian literature are the core of Russian studies at Grinnell College. At the same time, the department encourages students to broaden and deepen their understanding of the Russian experience by exploring other disciplines such as history, fine arts, philosophy, and social sciences within the context of Russian culture. The Russian department frequently invites prominent cultural figures from Russia to participate in the senior seminar and interact with faculty and students. Russian majors as a rule spend at least one semester abroad, and the Russian department annually sponsors students from Russia for a year of study at Grinnell. In addition to the Russian major, students may pursue a concentration in Russian, Central and Eastern European Studies (RCEES). Russian majors and RCEES students at the college are a tightly knit group. Their ties remain strong after graduation, thanks in part to the department's Grinnell Russian Alumni in Slavic Studies (GRASS) list, an electronic forum in which alumni from around the world can locate each other, keep in touch, and post information. Grinnell graduates in Russian and RCEES have a prominent place in the academic world of Slavic studies in the United States, and a number of them have worked or are currently working in the countries of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe in a number of areas, including international business and law, the Foreign Service, international educational exchange, and informational technology. The department has extensive ties in the Russian cultural scene, and several graduates have gone on to work in theatres and other areas of the arts. Social Commitment is another active area for Russian majors, and graduates have worked in a number of volunteer organizations in the region.