Institute of Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
Paterson Hall 3A61
Telephone: 520-2888
Fax: 520-7501
The Institute
Director:
Joan DeBardeleben
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. Faculty members
from ten disciplines (art history, business, economics, geography, history,
international affairs, law, political science, Russian, and sociology)
participate regularly in the institute’s activities. 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 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 the field. 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 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, and Russia.
Qualifying-Year Program
Applicants who have a general (pass) 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 East 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.
To be eligible for admission to the qualifying-year program, an applicant
must already have taken some courses in the area of East 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 upon entry into the qualifying-year program.
Master of Arts
Admission Requirements
The normal requirement for admission to the master’s program is an honours
degree (or the equivalent), with at least high honours standing, dealing
with East European Studies.
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 three different departments (excluding Russian language
courses)
-
At least high honours standing
-
A reading knowledge of Russian (normally at a minimum, equivalent to two
academic years of Russian instruction, or one year with an intensive summer
program)
Program Requirements
The specific requirements in the master’s program are the following:
-
East European 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 (or the equivalent) 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 Department of Russian
-
One of the following:
East European 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
or
East European 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 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 Russian or in another of the
region’s languages. A list of languages which may be selected to meet this
requirement is available from the Institute. If a language other than Russian
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 may be demonstrated in one of two ways:
(a) successful completion of a written translation examination to be administered
by the Institute, or
(b) completion of 36.307 (Russian Syntax) and 36.308 (Russian Translation)
with a minimum grade of B+, either within two years prior to admission,
or as extra to the degree while enrolled in the master’s program
Language courses taken to enable a student to fulfil the language requirement
cannot be used to fulfil 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 1997-98, 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
Comparative Economic Systems I
43.587
Comparative Economic Systems II
History
24.460
Selected Problems in Russian History
24.461
Selected Problems in Soviet History
24.560
Revolutionary Russia, 1898-1921
24.562
M.S. Gorbachev and the Collapse of the USSR
24.580
Problems in International History
International Affairs
46.522
International Security After the Cold War
46.538
International Trade: Theory and Policy
46.562
The Institutional Framework for International Assistance
46.582
The Political Economy of East-West Relations
46.584
International Relations in Europe
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
The Transition from Communism
47.515
Post-Communist Politics in East Central Europe
47.516
Selected Problems in the Politics of Soviet Successor States
47.586
Strategic Thought and Issues in International Security
Russian
36.420
Russian for International Relations I
36.421
Russian for International Relations II
Sociology
53.584
Modern Marxist Theory
East European Studies
55.400
Modern Polish Society
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
55.409
Development of the Russian North
55.410
Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe
55.411
The Balkans
55.500
Interdisciplinary Seminar I
55.501
Interdisciplinary Seminar II
55.502
State-Society Relations in Transition
55.505
Environmental Problems and Politics in East/Central Europe and Eurasia
55.507
Social and Political Discourse in Russia
55.508
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Eastern and Central Europe
55.509
Development of the Russian North
55.510
Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe
55.590
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
55.591
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
55.592
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
55.593
Tutorial in Central and East European Studies
55.594
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
55.595
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
55.596
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
Other 400 and 500 level courses may be approved by graduate advisers as
Institute of Central/East European and Russian-Area 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 are normally expected to complete all requirements for the master’s
degree in four to six terms, although students entering the program with
sufficient proficiency in Russian may complete the degree within one calendar
year. Students participating in international exchanges will normally require
longer to complete degree requirements.
Graduate Courses*
East European 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.
East European 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.
East European Studies 55.502Fl or Wl
State-Society Relations in Transition
This seminar addresses the relationship between social forces and state
structures at both the national and local levels in the USSR, in its successor
states, and/or in other Central/East European states.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Institute, with appropriate facility in the
Russian language.
East European Studies 55.505F1,W1
Environmental Problems and Politics in East/Central Europe and Eurasia
This seminar examines the nature of environmental problems in Central/Eastern
Europe and the former Soviet republics. The course covers ideological bases
for treatment of environmental problems, political forces active in shaping
environmental policy, economic reform and the environment, and policy responses
at the international, national, and local levels.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with additional or different requirements,
as 55.405, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: Political Science 47.320 or the equivalent or permission
of the Institute.
East European Studies 55.507W1
Social and Political Discourse in Russia
This seminar involves analysis of materials from the Russian-language media
dealing with contemporary social and political issues. Most course readings
are in the Russian language. Lectures and at least a portion of seminar
discussions are in Russian.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Institute, with appropriate facility in the
Russian language.
East European Studies 55.508F1,W1
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Eastern and Central Europe
This seminar deals with nationalism and the ethnic structure in East/Central
Europe and the Soviet successor states. Topics include an historical examination
of the social, economic, linguistic, and the current ideological components
of ethnicity; current politics of ethnicity and the role of ethnic minorities.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with additional or different requirements,
as 55.408, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Institute.
Before 1997-98, course 55.508 was offered as 55.401.
East European Studies 55.509F1,W1
Development of the Russian North
This seminar gives an overview of the economic, social, and political development
of the Russian
North. Development is analyzed in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with additional or different requirements,
as 55.409, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Institute.
Before 1997-98, course 55.509 was offered as 55.402.
East European Studies 55.510
Nation Building in Central and Eastern Europe
With the collapse of the communist system, countries in the region have
regained autonomy and independence in pursuing their own paths of development,
introducing increasing national diversity in the region. In this course,
the process of nation building is examined in a particular country or set
of countries in the region, taking account of historical experience and
present challenges. The country or countries studied will vary from year
to year.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with additional or different requirements,
as 55.410, for which additional credit is precluded.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Institute.
East European 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.
East European Studies 55.591W1
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
East European Studies 55.592S1
Tutorial in Russian-Area Studies
East European 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.
East European Studies 55.594W1
Tutorial in Central and East European and Russian-Area Studies
East European Studies 55.595S1
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
East European Studies 55.596T2
Tutorial in Central/East European and Russian-Area Studies
East European Studies 55.598F2, W2, S2
Research Essay
A research essay on some topic relating to Central/East European and Russian-Area
Studies
East European Studies 55.599F4, W4, S4
M.A. Thesis
Other courses may be available at the University of Ottawa.