The Faculty of Humanities is the largest academic division of the university, preparing specialists with a broad humanitarian profile, researchers of language, literature, history, document studies, and archival science. It can be considered the oldest educational, scientific, and methodological unit of Kalmyk State University, training philologists and historians.
In 1929, the Kalmyk branch of the humanities direction was opened within the Pedagogical Faculty of Saratov State University named after N.G. Chernyshevsky, marking the beginning of training philologists with higher education. In 1938–1939, the Faculty of Philology was part of the Kalmyk Teachers’ and Pedagogical Institutes in Astrakhan, which were relocated to Elista in 1941. In 1944, they merged with the Astrakhan Pedagogical Institute named after S.M. Kirov. After the rehabilitation of the Kalmyk people and the restoration of the republic in 1957, the faculty resumed work within the Stavropol State Pedagogical Institute and became the basis for the opening in 1964 of the Kalmyk State Pedagogical Institute in Elista.
After the transformation of the Kalmyk State Pedagogical Institute into Kalmyk State University in 1970, the Faculty of Philology became a structural subdivision of the university. In 2001, the Faculty of Philology was transformed into the Institute of Humanities, and in 2010 into the Faculty of Humanities.
The faculty employs recognized scholars and educators in Russia who deliver high-level scientific and methodological lectures and lessons, including Doctors of Science and Professors V.B. Ubushaev, A.N. Komandzhaev, M.M. Batmaev, P.M. Koltsov, O.D. Djagaeva, D.A. Suseeva, T.S. Esenova, S.M. Trofimova, V.V. Ubushaeva; Candidates of Science and Associate Professors E.S. Kotyaeva, N.L. Ovshieva, T.M. Kekeeva, N.Yu. Mikitenko, N.A. Kichikova, S.M. Murgaev, E.Sh. Muzraeva, and many others.
Faculty members engage in research on pressing issues of modern linguistics, literary studies, and history. Fruitful scientific investigations include the history of Russia and Kalmykia, archaeology, the functioning of the Russian language in Kalmykia, linguoculturology and conceptology, sociolinguistics, and foreign language teaching methodology.
Contacts are established and maintained with Fulbright scholars (USA), the UNESCO Catalan Centre (Spain), and the International Advisory Committee of the "Lingvapax" Institute. Faculty of German Philology initiated the creation of the "Lingvapax-Kalmykia" branch of the Lingvapax Institute (UNESCO CAT), whose mission is the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity worldwide through multilingual and multicultural education.
Students of the "Philology" program study ancient and modern languages of Russia and Western Europe, Russian and world literature from antiquity to the present. During their studies, students cover introduction to linguistics, general linguistics, theoretical phonetics, lexicology, theoretical grammar, stylistics, history of languages, translation theory and practice. In addition to general lecture courses, there are special courses such as culture of verbal communication, basics of intercultural communication, professionally oriented translation, text linguistics, business courses in English and German, and others.
Students in the "History" program study Russian and world history from ancient times to the present, history of Kalmykia, historiography and source studies, paleography, history of world civilizations and religions.
The "Documentation and Archival Studies" program equips students with knowledge in documentation, archival science, organization and technology of document management, handling citizen requests, and clerical work.
The "International Relations" program includes the study of history of international relations, world politics and diplomacy, international law, basics of international security, and various forms and fields of international cooperation. Significant attention is given to learning foreign languages — English and Chinese.
Faculty members have published a significant number of monographs, thematic scientific collections, scientific articles, and educational-methodological manuals. Scientific research projects are developed annually. The faculty hosts international, all-Russian, and regional scientific conferences.
Special care is devoted to involving students in research activities. Annual scientific student conferences, subject olympiads, and specialty contests are held. Students participate in regional, national, and international conferences, olympiads, and seminars.
Students participate in competitions for grants to study abroad and in contests for scientific internships.
Students and faculty actively and successfully take part in all cultural, mass, and sports events held at the university, city, and republic levels. The faculty has a student English Club, which organizes engaging activities related to intercultural competence and tolerance development. The "Young Writer’s School" sessions are held. Student self-government is also developing at the faculty.
Among the faculty graduates are many leaders of the Republic, scholars, members of the creative intelligentsia, and education system employees. Our graduates, possessing modern knowledge and competitive professions, are in demand in the labor market and able to develop their creative abilities.