In 2007, Princeton’s Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures graduated four students. Adam Rosner ’07 was one of them. The department is so small, he remarks, “there are more professors than students.” He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rosner spent two summers in Russia through Princeton programs. The first was Princeton in Petersburg, an intensive Russian language program through the Nevsky Institute of Language and Culture. The next summer he lived in Moscow, working for the investment banking firm Alfa Capital through an internship arranged by Princeton's International Internship Program.

Rosner's academic focus was Russian literary theory. Since all Princeton professors teach all levels of undergraduate courses, Rosner found his mentor in "Introduction to Russian Literature." Professor Caryl Emerson, who served as one of Rosner's senior thesis advisers, is more than simply a brilliant academic, says Rosner; she's also an outstanding teacher.

Rosner quickly realized that Emerson's teaching philosophy is in line with the pedagogy of one of her main research subjects, the Russian literary theorist and philosopher of language Mikhail Bakhtin. "His main concept is one of 'dialogism,' which concerns horizontal relationships among voices," explains Rosner. "Emerson's classroom is a mutual learning experience framed in conversation and dialogue as opposed to lecture."

Rosner, who came to Princeton from New York City, also earned a certificate in Near Eastern Language and Culture with a focus on Hebrew language and literature. He wrote his senior thesis on Woody Allen and Russian literature.

Outside the classroom, Rosner was involved in the Center for Jewish Life, which offers a range of cultural, religious and social activities. Rosner's participation included serving as co-chair of the American Jewish Committee Princeton Society.

Rosner will soon begin a graduate fellowship at the Shalem Center, a research and education institute for Jewish/Israeli studies. There he will enroll in seminars and pursue an independent research project concerning Russian emigré culture and politics in Israel.