European and Russian Studies

The Institute

An interdepartmental committee was formed in 1963 to foster teaching, research, conferences, and publications in Soviet and East European studies at Carleton. In 1970, a separate department - the Institute of Soviet and East European Studies - was established to administer the interdisciplinary programs developed by the committee. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of l99l, the Institute of Soviet and East European Studies was renamed the Institute of Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies to reflect the changing political reality in the region. In 1998, the Institute was again renamed, this time as Institute of European and Russian Studies; with the change in name, the Institute's undergraduate program was expanded to cover all of Europe. At the graduate level, the Institute continues to offer an interdisciplinary Master of Arts program in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies with the participation of faculty members from ten disciplines (art history, business, economics, geography, history, international affairs, law, political science, Russian, and sociology). They are joined on an occasional basis by visiting scholars from outside the University, including invited specialists from Eastern and Central Europe and the successor states to the USSR.

In recent years the Central and East European countries and the former Soviet republics have been in the midst of a transition from one type of socio-economic and political system to another, although they are still linked with each other by earlier historical experience, the common legacy of Soviet-style communism, and by a set of similar problems resulting from that legacy. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the field of study remains unified by a concern with understanding the nature of the transitional processes affecting the region, in their multiple social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions. Institute courses and research programs focus on several broad themes. These themes are treated in historical context, with attention to historical roots and parallels of contemporary developments. Major themes include:

* legacy of the Soviet system in the region and its impact on contemporary developments
* transition periods in the history of the region, with particular emphasis on political, economic, and social dimensions of the post-communist transition
* nationalism and ethnicity as forces for change in the area
* international integration among countries of the region, and the reintegration of the region into European institutions and the larger international community
* environmental problems and policies in a comparative perspective
* the changing relationship between state and society, with attention to ethnic, class, and gender issues

At the undergraduate level, the Institute offers an interdisciplinary B.A.(Honours) program in European and Russian Studies. The Institute also administers a program of studies leading to a Master of Arts degree in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies, the first of its kind in Canada. The curricula for both programs are offered largely through participating departments. The M.A. program is designed for students wishing to acquire specialized knowledge of the region, including proficiency in the use of Russian and/or German as a research tool. The approach is interdisciplinary with emphasis on the social sciences and history. Students may take advantage of the university's regular academic exchanges with post-secondary institutions in Hungary, Poland, Germany and Russia.

Qualifying-Year Program

To be eligible for admission to the qualifying-year program, an applicant must already have taken some courses in the area of European Studies, so that by the end of the program he or she will have satisfied the basic requirements for admission to the master's program. All students are normally required to have completed the equivalent of an introductory course in Russian or German or, at the discretion of the Institute, two years of another of the region's languages.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

Honours graduates in other disciplines are eligible for admission provided they meet the following requirements:

* A total of 7.0 credits (or the equivalent) in the field should have been taken in no fewer than four different departments
* At least high honours standing
* A reading knowledge of Russian or German (normally equivalent to two academic years of German or Russian instruction or one year with an intensive summer program) or, at the discretion of the Institute, equivalent knowledge of another of the region's languages.

Program Requirements

* European and Russian Studies 55.500 and 55.501, two 0.5 credit seminars in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies, offered specially by the Institute and incorporating the approaches of several relevant disciplines
* 2.0 credits chosen with the approval of the graduate supervisor from the list below, with at least 1.0 credit (or the equivalent) at the 500-level. No more than 1.0 credit may be taken at the 400-level. No more than 0.5 credit may be taken in the Russian language discipline
* One of the following:

European and Russian Studies 55.598, a research essay incorporating the approaches of at least two of the disciplines represented in the program; the research essay must be combined with an additional 1.0 credit, or the equivalent, chosen from those listed below (not including Russian) and must be defended orally

European and Russian Studies 55.599, an M.A. thesis which must combine the interdisciplinary approach with a greater degree of originality than that required of the research essay, and which must be defended orally

In both cases (55.598, 55.599) the paper should demonstrate that its author is capable of undertaking research in Russian or German, or in another language used in the region. The 55.599 option cannot be taken without the specific permission of the graduate supervisor.

Each student must demonstrate proficiency in either Russian, German, or one of the region's other languages. A list of languages which may be selected to meet this requirement is available from the Institute. If the research essay or M.A. thesis involves the study of Russia, then language proficiency must be demonstrated in the Russian language. If the research essay involves the study of Germany, then language proficiency must be demonstrated in the German language. If a language other than Russian or German is selected (a) this language must be utilized in undertaking research for the research essay or M.A. thesis; (b) its selection must be approved by the graduate supervisor; and (c) the student must demonstrate proficiency in the language by passing a written translation examination.

Proficiency in Russian or German may be demonstrated by successful completion of a written translation examination to be administered by the Institute. Proficiency in Russian may also be demonstrated by completion of 36.307« (Russian Syntax) and 36.308« (Russian Translation) with a minumum grade of B+.

Language courses taken to enable a student to fulfill the language requirement cannot be used to fulfill the minimum course requirements for the master's program, described above.

Students are advised to consult with the relevant departments for final course listings for 2000-2001, as changes in curricula may be made too late for inclusion in the Calendar; not all of the courses are offered every year. Undergraduate courses below the 400-level may be taken by qualifying-year students, and by students in the M.A. program as supplementary to the minimum M.A. requirements. (See the program description for the Institute in the Undergraduate Calendar.)

Art History

11.422 Topics in Eastern Medieval Art

Economics

43.486 Comparative Economic Systems I

43.487 Comparative Economic Systems II

43.586, 43.587

Geography

45.460 The Changing Geography of Post- Communist Societies

45.570

History

24.415 Seminar on European History

24.460 Seminar on Russian History

24.462« History of Canadian-Soviet Relationships, 1919-1991

24.560, 24.562, 24.580

International Affairs

46.522, 46.538, 46.562, 46.584

Law

51.488 Socialist Legal Systems

Political Science

47.431 Marxist Thought

47.432 Contemporary Marxism

47.461 Foreign Policies of Soviet Successor States

47.514, 47.515, 47.516, 47.586

Russian

36.420 Russian for International Relations I

36.421 Russian for International Relations II

Sociology

53.584

European and Russian Studies

55.400 Social and Political Perspectives in Europe

55.402 State Society Relations in Transition

55.403 Soviet and Russian Military History and Affairs

55.405 Environmental Problems and Politics in East Central Europe and Eurasia

55.406 The Business Environment in East Central Europe and the Soviet Successor States

55.407 Social and Political Discourse in Russia

55.408 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Eastern and Central Europe

55.410 Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe

55.411 The Balkans

55.500, 55.501, 55.502, 55.505, 55.507, 55.508, 55.510, 55.512, 55.513, 55.590, 55.591, 55.592, 55.593, 55.594, 55.595, 55.596

Other 400- and 500-level courses may be approved by graduate advisers as Institute of European and Russian Studies credits if they are deemed appropriate to a particular student's objectives.

Academic Standing

Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree

Graduate Courses

F,W,S indicates term of offering. Courses offered in the fall and winter are followed by T. The number following the letter indicates the credit weight of the course: 1 denotes 0.5 credit, 2 denotes 1.0 credit, etc.

European and Russian Studies 55.500F1

Interdisciplinary Seminar I

The theme of the seminar varies from year to year, but the continuing objective is to apply the approaches and methods of several relevant disciplines to selected themes and countries.

European and Russian Studies 55.501W1

Interdisciplinary Seminar II

Students should normally complete 55.500Fl before enrolling in this course. In addition to continued discussion of approaches and methods of several relevant disciplines, students will begin preparatory work on their master's research essays or theses.

European and Russian Studies 55.502Fl or Wl

State-Society Relations in Transition

The relationship between social forces and state structures at both the national and local levels in the USSR and the post-communist states. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements as European and Russian Studies 55.402«, for which additional credit is precluded.

European and Russian Studies 55.505F1,W1

Environmental Problems and Politics in East/Central Europe and Eurasia

Nature, origins and policy responses viewed from economic, political and geographic perspectives. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as European and Russian Studies 55.405«, for which additional credit is precluded.

Prerequisite: 1.0 credit in the area of East European or environmental studies, or permission of the Institute.

European and Russian Studies 55.507W1

Social and Political Discourse in Russia

Contemporary, social and political issues as covered in Russian-language media. Most course reading and instruction in Russian-language but student participation may be in English or Russian. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as European and Russian Studies 55.407«, for which additional credit is precluded.

Prerequisite: Appropriate facility in the Russian language and permission of the Institute.

European and Russian Studies 55.508F1,W1

Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Eastern and Central Europe

Ethnic basis of nationalism in the region. Ethnic politics and trends. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as European and Russian Studies 55.408«, for which additional credit is precluded.

European and Russian Studies 55.510F1, W1

Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe

Processes of nation-building in the region examined in terms of a particular country, or set of countries. Country focus may vary. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as European and Russian Studies 55.410«, for which additional credit is precluded.

European and Russian Studies 55.512F1 or W1

The International Political Economy of Transition

Problems of reintegration into the world economy and dilemmas of transition from command to market economies. Topics may include new trade and investment patterns, role in regional and international economic organizations, search for appropriate exchange rate policies, impact of Western assistance. (Also listed as International Affairs 46.582)

European and Russian Studies 55.513 F1 or W1

Sustainability and Development in the Arctic: Transformations in the Circumpolar North

The Circumpolar Arctic Region is undergoing rapid political, economic, social and technological development, which impacts sustainability. Climate, contaminants and biological diversity focus international attention. Nunavut, the Russian North, major developments, and international circumpolar regime formation will be discussed, with significant emphasis on environment and development. (Also listed as Geography 45.570)

European and Russian Studies 55.590F1

Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies

A course of directed readings on selected aspects of the Soviet successor states, involving preparation of papers as the basis for discussion with the tutor. Offered when no regular course offering meets a candidate's specific needs.

European and Russian Studies 55.591W1

Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.592S1

Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.593F1

Tutorial in Central and East European Studies

A course of directed readings on selected aspects of Eastern and Central Europe, involving preparation of papers as the basis for discussions with the tutor. Offered when no regular course offering meets a candidate's specific needs.

European and Russian Studies 55.594W1

Tutorial in Central and East European and Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.595S1

Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.596T2

Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.598F2, W2, S2

Research Essay

A research essay on some topic relating to Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies

European and Russian Studies 55.599F4, W4, S4

M.A. Thesis

Other courses may be available at the University of Ottawa.