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Graduate Calendar Archives: 2003 / 2004

European and Russian Studies

Paterson Hall 3A59
Telephone: (613) 520-2888
Fax: (613) 520-7501
Email: EURUS@carleton.ca
Web site: www.carleton.ca/EURUS/

The Institute

Director: Piotr Dutkiewicz

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 1991, 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 Soviet successor states have been in the midst of a transition from one type of socio-economic and political system to another, although they are still influenced 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. At the same time, new dynamics affect the region. These include globalization, the increasing importance of international influences, and European integration (particularly the projected enlargement of the European Union to include countries of central and Eastern Europe.)

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 (CERAS), 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, Slovakia, and Russia.

The diploma program in European Integration Studies is a supplemental qualification available to graduate students enrolled in an M.A. or Ph.D. degree program at Carleton. Students in the Institute's M.A. program may work concurrently towards their diploma in European Integration Studies.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants who have a general (3-year) bachelor's degree in one of the disciplines represented in the program, or who lack sufficient area studies or language training, may be admitted to a qualifying- year program designed to raise their status to that of honours graduates in European Studies. Students are expected to achieve high honours standing in qualifying-year courses in order to qualify for admission to the master's year.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the master's program is an honours degree (or equivalent), with at least high honours standing.

Students may enter either a one-year or a two-year program. It is normally expected that students admitted to the one-year program will complete the degree within three academic terms of study, while students entering the two-year program will complete the degree in five to six academic terms. Students who participate in an academic exchange abroad will require longer to complete the program, but the Institute encourages such participation, since academic exchanges greatly enrich the experience of the student.

For admission to the one-year program, applicants must normally meet the following requirements:

  • A B.A. Honours degree (or equivalent) including at least 5.0 credits (or the equivalent) in the field, normally covering three disciplines such as political science, history, economics, geography, literature, or international affairs (but excluding language courses); and
  • 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.

For admission to the two-year program, applicants must normally meet the following requirements:

  • A B.A. Honours degree (or equivalent) in one of the social sciences (political science, economics, geography, sociology, etc.), history, international affairs, Slavic or German language and literature, or another related discipline;
  • 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; or
  • Some coursework or practical experience in the area of study. However, applicants admitted with minimal or no proficiency in an appropriate language will require additional language training beyond normal M.A. requirements.

Program Requirements

Students in the one-year master's program must complete 5.0 credits, including the following:

  • EURR 5001, which is a 0.5 credit seminar in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies, offered specially by the Institute and incorporating the approaches of several relevant disciplines
  • EURR 5200 Research Design (0.5 credit), which is a seminar introducing students to a variety of methodological approaches and tools needed to design and implement research projects
  • 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 5000-level. No more than 1.0 credit may be taken at the 4000-level. No more than 0.5 credit may be taken in the Russian or German language discipline
  • One of the following:
    • EURR 5908 (1.0 credit), a research essay incorporating the approaches of at least two of the disciplines represented in the program; the research essay must be defended orally. The essay must be combined with an additional 1.0 credit, or the equivalent, chosen from those listed below (not including Russian).
    • or
    • EURR 5909 (2.0 credits), 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 (EURR 5908, EURR 5909) 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 EURR 5909 option cannot be taken without the specific permission of the graduate supervisor.

Students in the two-year master's program must complete 7.5 credits, consisting of the following:

  • EURR 5000 and EURR 5001, which are 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;
  • Independent Study (1.0 credit, e.g., EURR 5906 or an approved equivalent), the content and structure of which will be determined in consultation with the graduate supervisor;
  • EURR 5200 Research Design (0.5 credit), which is a seminar introducing students to a variety of methodological approaches and tools needed to design and implement research projects;
  • 3.0 credits chosen with the approval of the graduate supervisor from the list below, with at least 1.5 credits (or the equivalent) at the 5000-level. No more than 1.5 credits may be taken at the 4000-level. No more than 0.5 credit may be taken in the Russian or German language discipline.
  • One of the following:
    • EURR 5908 (1.0 credits), a research essay incorporating the approaches of at least two of the disciplines represented in the program; the research essay must be defended orally. The essay must be combined with an additional 1.0 credit, or the equivalent, chosen from those listed below (not including Russian).
    • or
    • EURR 5909 (2.0 credits), 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 (EURR 5908, EURR 5909) 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 EURR 5909 option cannot be taken without the specific permission of the graduate supervisor.

For both the one and two year programs, each student must demonstrate proficiency in either Russian, German, or one of the region's other languages. A list of languages that 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; and (b) its selection must be approved by the graduate supervisor.

Proficiency in Russian, German, or another approved language 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 RUSS 4200 (Russian Syntax and Translation) and RUSS 4201 (Russian for the Social Sciences) with a minimum grade of B+.

Students entering the M.A. program with minimal or no language proficiency will require extra coursework and/or summer language training to meet the language proficiency requirement.

Proposed plan of study for one-year program students: Year One (including summer or first term of second year):

  • EURR 5200 Research Design (Second term) (0.5 credit)
  • EURR 5001 Interdisciplinary Seminar II (First term) (0.5 credit)
  • EURR 5908 Research Essay (1.0 credit) and 3.0 additional course credits
  • or
  • EURR 5909 M.A. Thesis (2.0 credits) and 2.0 additional course credits

Proposed plan of study for two-year program students:

Year One:

  • EURR 5000 (First term) Interdisciplinary Seminar I (0.5 credit)
  • EURR 5001 (First term) Interdisciplinary Seminar II (0.5 credit)
  • EURR 5200 (Second term) Research Design (0.5 credit)
  • EURR 5906 (First and second terms) Independent Study (or equivalent course as approved by the graduate supervisor) (1.0 credit)
  • 1.5 additional course credits
Year Two:
  • EURR 5908 Research Essay (full year) (1.0 credit) and 2.5 additional course credits
  • or
  • EURR 5909 M.A. Thesis (full year, 2.0 credits) and 1.5 additional course credits.

Students are advised to consult with the relevant departments for final course listings for 2002-2003, as curricular changes may be made too late for inclusion in the Graduate Calendar; not all of the courses are offered every year. Undergraduate courses below the 4000- 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
ARTH 4202 Topics in Eastern Medieval Art
Economics
ECON 4806 Comparative Economic Systems I
ECON 4807 Comparative Economic Systems II
ECON 5806, ECON 5807
Geography
GEOG 4600 The Changing Geography of Post-Communist Societies
GEOG 5700
History
HIST 4105 Seminar on European History
HIST 4600 Seminar on Russian History
HIST 4602 History of Canadian-Soviet Relationships, 1919-1991
HIST 5600, HIST 5602, HIST 5800
International Affairs
INAF 5200, INAF 5202, INAF 5308, INAF 5602, INAF 5804, INAF 5805
Law
LAWS 4806 The Civilist Tradition
Political Science
PSCI 4601 Foreign Policies of Soviet Successor States
PSCI 5104, PSCI 5105, PSCI 5106, PSCI 5806
Russian
RUSS 4200 Russian Syntax and Translation
RUSS 4201 Russian for the Social Sciences
Sociology
SOCI 5804
European and Russian Studies
EURR 4002 State Society Relations in Transition
EURR 4005 Environmental Problems and Politics in East Central Europe and Eurasia
EURR 4006 The Business Environment in East Central Europe and the Soviet Successor States
EURR 4007 Social and Political Discourse in Russia
EURR 4008 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Eastern and Central Europe
EURR 4100 Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe
EURR 4101 The Balkans
EURR 5000, EURR 5001, EURR 5002, EURR 5003, EURR 5005, EURR 5007, EURR 5008, EURR 5100, EURR 5102, EURR 5103, EURR 5104, EURR 5105, EURR 5106, EURR 5107, EURR 5201, EURR 5202, EURR 5900, EURR 5901, EURR 5902, EURR 5903, EURR 5904, EURR 5905, EURR 5906

Other 4000- and 5000-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

Master's candidates must obtain a grade of B- or better on each credit counted towards the degree.

Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree

Students in the two-year M.A. program normally are expected to complete all requirements for the master's degree in five to six terms. Students entering the one year program with sufficient proficiency in Russian, German, or another approved language are expected to complete the degree within one calendar year or three terms of study. Students participating in international exchanges will normally require longer to complete degree requirements.

Diploma in European Integration Studies

This diploma program is only open to students currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at Carleton University and is intended to provide an additional qualification to the student's main degree. Applications to the program should be made to the Institute of European and Russian Studies. Some previous coursework or practical experience in the field of European Studies is a prerequisite for admission to the program. The purpose of the diploma program is to supplement the student's program of study by providing in-depth study of processes of European integration from an interdisciplinary perspective and thus to prepare the student for professional work or further study in this field.

Students must complete 2.5 credits of coursework and take part in a non-credit seminar EURR 5809. Of the 2.5 credits required for the diploma, 1.0 credit must be unique to the diploma program and may not be counted toward meeting requirements for the student's main degree program. The unique diploma courses must include EURR 5003 and one additional course on the primary option list. In addition to English, the student must demonstrate proficiency in a second European language (approved languages are subject to the discretion of the Institute), as certified by a language examination.

Required courses:

  • EURR 5003 Social and Political Perspective in Europe;
  • EURR 5809 Seminar in European Integration Studies;

Primary Option List

  • At least two of the following:
PSCI 5504 Topics in West European Politics
INAF 5804 International Relations in Europe
INAF 5805 The E.U. in International Affairs
EURR 5104 European Integration and European Security (also listed as PSCI 5608)
EURR 5105 European Economic Integration
EURR 5106 Selected Topics in European Integration Studies (also listed as PSCI 5609)

Secondary Option List

  • And one additional credit, which may include courses from the following:
ECON 5401 Public Economics: Expenditure
ECON 5402 Public Economics: Taxation
ECON 5601 International Trade: Theory and Policy
ECON 5602 International Monetary Theory and Policy
ECON 5806 Comparative Economic Systems I
ECON 5807 Comparative Economic Systems II
EURR 5102 The International Political Economy of Transition (also listed as INAF 5802)
PSCI 5105 Post-Communist Politics in East Central Europe
PSCI 5106 Selected Problems in the Politics of Soviet Successor States
PSCI 5503 Topics in West European Politics
PSCI 5509 Governing in the Global Economy
PSCI 5807 Analysis of International Organizations
PSCI 5808 International Political Economy
INAF 5308 International Trade: Theory and Policy
INAF 5309 International Finance: Theory and Policy

Other 5000-level courses may be approved by graduate advisers as Diploma credits if they are deemed appropriate to the program.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for 2003-2004 and to determine the term of offering, consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet, published in the summer and also available online at www.carleton.ca/cu/programs/sched_dates/

Course Designation System

Carleton's course designation system has been restructured. The first entry of each course description below is the new alphanumeric Carleton course code, followed by its credit value in brackets. The old Carleton course number (in parentheses) is included for reference, where applicable.

EURR 5000 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.500)
Interdisciplinary Seminar I
An overview of approaches to the field of study from a variety of disciplinary perspectives for students with limited background in the field. The course is open to graduate students from a variety of departments with permission of the Institute.
EURR 5001 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.501)
Interdisciplinary Seminar II
Examination of current debates and discussions within various academic disciplines relating to Central and Eastern Europe, and the Soviet successor states. The seminar also provides students with an opportunity to explore themes related to the research essay. Some background in the field is assumed. Precludes additional credit for EURR 5000 taken prior to 2002-03.
Prerequisite: permission of the Institute or enrolment in the CERAS M.A. program.
EURR 5002 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.502)
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 EURR 4002, for which additional credit is precluded.
EURR 5003 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.503)
Social and Political Perspectives in Europe
The emergence of a European polity, identity and culture. Examination of whether 'Europe' as a defined entity exists and the ways in which we may try to understand its evolution. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements as EURR 4003, for which additional credit is precluded.
EURR 5005 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.505)
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 EURR 4005, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: 1.0 credit in the area of East European or environmental studies, or permission of the Institute.
EURR 5007 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.507)
Social and Political Discourse in Russia
Contemporary, social and political issues as covered in Russian-language media. Most course reading and instruction is in the Russian-language but student participation may be in English or Russian. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as EURR 4007, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: appropriate facility in the Russian language and permission of the Institute.
EURR 5008 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.508)
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 EURR 4008, for which additional credit is precluded.
EURR 5100 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.510)
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 EURR 4100, for which additional credit is precluded.
EURR 5102 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.512)
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 INAF 5802.)
EURR 5103 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.513)
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 GEOG 5700.)
EURR 5104 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.514)
European Integration and European Security
A seminar focusing on security issues related to the formation of supra-national decision-making structures in Europe. Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements, as EURR 4104, for which additional credit is precluded. (Also listed as PSCI 5608.)
EURR 5105 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.515)
European Economic Integration
A seminar focusing on economic issues and policies related to the process of European integration and the development of the European Union in the post-World War II period.
Prerequisite: ECON 1000.
EURR 5106 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.516)
Selected Topics in European Integration Studies
A seminar focusing on selected topics related to European integration in the post-World War II period. (Also listed as PSCI 5609.)
EURR 5107 [0.5 credit]
Russia and the New World Order, 1992 to the Present
An examination of how the Russian Federation has sought a place for itself in the world order since the collapse of the USSR up until the present. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as EURR 4107, for which additional credit is precluded.
EURR 5200 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.520)
Research Design
Overview of research methods. Formulation of research problems. Hypotheses and hypothesis testing. Comparative and Case Study Approaches. Research Materials. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Policy research. Discussion of student research proposals.
Precludes additional credit for EURR 5501 taken prior to 2002-03.
EURR 5201 [0.5 credit]
Special Topics in European Studies
Selected topics related to Europe.
EURR 5202 [0.5 credit]
Special topics in Russian and Eurasian Studies
Selected topics related to Russia and neighboring countries.
EURR 5809 (0.0 credit)
Seminar in European Integration Studies
Each student must present a paper relating to European integration that was prepared for another diploma course. Diploma students are expected to attend presentations by other students and other seminar talks. Open only to students registered in the Diploma in European Integration Studies.
EURR 5900 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.590)
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 to meet specific program needs.
EURR 5901 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.591)
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
EURR 5902 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.592)
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
EURR 5903 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.593)
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 to meet specific program needs.
EURR 5904 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.594)
Tutorial in Central and East European and Russian-Area Studies
EURR 5905 [0.5 credit] (formerly 55.595)
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
EURR 5906 [1.0 credit] (formerly 55.596)
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
EURR 5908 [1.0 credit] (formerly 55.598)
Research Essay
A research essay on some topic relating to Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies.
EURR 5909 [2.0 credits] (formerly 55.599)
M.A. Thesis

Other courses may be available at the University of Ottawa.

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