Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
This certificate program offers students the opportunity to take advantage of the significant multidisciplinary resources in the Five Colleges on Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
The Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (REEES) Certificate Program works to offer students an opportunity to draw on rich resources of the faculty members at the Five Colleges and to coordinate curricula across the five campuses. The program also sponsors special events of interest to students and faculty members working in the field.
Summer field in Ukraine. Photo: Olga Subach.
Joint Statement by REEES Faculty
on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The faculty of the Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian (REEES) Programs of the Five College Consortium on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine issue the following joint statement:
The Five Colleges have long been a home for students, artists, and scholars who are from and who study Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. We have welcomed everyone from young, inquisitive minds wishing to know more about these regions to dissidents and exiles who were fated to never return to them. Our community has always sought to apply its knowledge, curiosity, and love for the cultures and peoples of these spaces such that the world might become a better place–a better home–for all.
The invasion of the sovereign nation Ukraine by the Russian Federation represents the antithesis of these values. We are outraged by the violence that Vladimir Putin has inflicted upon the Ukrainian people. We unequivocally condemn his act of war, and categorically reject the malicious distortions of history by which he seeks to justify it. We stand strong with all of those who resist it—from those in Ukraine who fight for their freedom, to the Russian citizens who risk losing theirs by engaging in anti-war protest. Our thoughts remain with the people and democratically elected leaders of Ukraine, and with everyone in the Pioneer Valley who stands to lose friends and family in this senseless conflict. No to war! Ні війні! Нет войне!
On This Page
Faculty
Catherine Ciepiela (Russian)
Sergey Glebov* (History)
Michael Kunichika (Russian)
Boris Wolfson* (Russian)
*Certificate Advisor
Polina Barskova* (Russian Literature)
*Certificate Advisor
Stephen Jones* (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
Jeremy King (History)
Susanna Nazarova (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
Peter Scotto (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
*Certificate Advisor
Justin Cammy (Jewish Studies, World Literatures)
Sergey Glebov* (History)
Thomas Roberts (Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies)
Vera Shevzov* (Religion)
*Certificate Advisor
Audrey Altstadt (History)
Evgeny Dengub (Russian)
Olga Gershenson (Judaic and Near Eastern Studies)
Julie Hemment* (Anthropology)
Lauren McCarthy (Legal Studies)
Robert Rothstein (Slavic Studies, Emeritus)
Regine Spector (Political Science)
*Certificate Advisor
Certificate Requirements
This certificate program offers students the opportunity to take advantage of the significant multidisciplinary resources in the Five Colleges on Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The certificate consists of a minimum of six courses. Courses applied to the certificate may also be used to fulfill major requirements. The list of courses fulfilling particular requirements is maintained and regularly updated by the Five College Committee for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies.
Course Requirements
A. The program's core course, normally taken in the first or second year. The core course is offered every year on a rotating basis at one of the campuses and introduces an interdisciplinary perspective on the historical and contemporary experiences of the peoples of Russia, Eurasia (here understood as the former republics of the Soviet Union) and East (and Central) Europe. The course includes guest lectures by noted specialists in the Five Colleges.
B. Five additional elective courses, distributed as indicated below. (Independent study courses may be included with approval from the student's campus program advisor.)
C. At least four courses, including the core course, must be taken within the Five Colleges.
Language Requirement
Students receiving the certificate must possess proficiency in a language of one of the certificate regions equivalent to the level achieved after four semesters of post-secondary course work. This proficiency may be demonstrated by course work or examination.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad in one of the certificate regions.
Elective Course Distribution
In choosing the five elective courses satisfying the certificate requirements, the following guidelines should be observed:
Courses should be drawn from more than one of the three geographical areas: Russia, Eurasia (here understood as the former republics of the Soviet Union) and Eastern (and Central) Europe.
- At least one of the elective courses must focus on a period before the 20th century.
- At least one course must be taken from each of the following disciplinary categories: history, social sciences and humanities/arts. No single course can fulfill more than one disciplinary distribution requirement.
- Elementary or intermediate language courses cannot be included as one of the five electives. A language course beyond the intermediate level can be counted toward one of the electives.
- Credit for one-time courses, special topics courses and transfer or study abroad courses requires approval from the home campus faculty advisor to the program.
Courses
Note that if you don't see classes from all campuses currently listed, they will appear as the campuses release their course schedules for the semester. The five campuses release their schedules on different dates. Visit this page for specific dates.
Fall 2023 Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Courses
| Subject | Course # | Sect # | Course Title | Instructor(s) | Institution | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HISTORY | 317 | 01 | The Russian Revolution | Audrey Altstadt | UMass Amherst | TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM |
| HISTORY | 394EI | 01 | Humn Rights & Enrgy in Eurasia | Audrey Altstadt | UMass Amherst | TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM |
| POLISH | 110 | 01 | Elementary Polish I | Jeremi Marek Szaniawski,Luke Jackmauh | UMass Amherst | M W F 10:10AM 11:00AM |
| RUSSIAN | 110 | 01 | Elementary Russian I | Anna Shkireva | UMass Amherst | M W F 2:30PM 3:45PM |
| RUSSIAN | 230 | 01 | Intermed Russian I | Anna Shkireva | UMass Amherst | M W F 1:25PM 2:15PM |
| RUSSIAN | 301 | 01 | Advanced Russian | Anna Shkireva | UMass Amherst | M W F 11:15AM 12:05PM |
Study Abroad
Semester and Academic Year Programs
American Councils Study Abroad
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Operated in Moscow (Moscow International University), St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg State Pedagogical University) or Vladimir (KORA Center for Russian Culture). Offers a range of programs: Russian Language and Area Studies, Business Russian Language and Internship and Russian Heritage Speakers Program.
Council on International Educational Exchange: St. Petersburg
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Operated through St. Petersburg State University. Geared toward intermediate and advanced students. Emphasis on language study with electives in literature, culture and history.
Council on International Educational Exchange: Prague
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Central European Studies program run by CIEE, with courses available at Charles University and Prague Film and Television School. Czech language classes in addition to Czech literature, culture and film.
C.V. Starr- Middlebury College School in Russia
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Run by Middlebury College for intermediate and advanced Russian speakers, with an emphasis on intensive immersion. Choice of three program locations: Irkutsk (Irkutsk State University), Moscow (Russian State University for the Humanities) or Yaroslavl (Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University).
Study abroad for an academic year (although flexibility is possible). Programs in Russian language, history and culture. Students need to discuss transfer of credit arrangement with school in advance.
Study abroad for a semester or academic year (individualized plans of study). Most courses taught in Russian, with some English-language electives.
Study abroad for a semester. Mathematics and/or computer science intensive curriculum, with electives in other areas including Russian language and culture. All courses taught in English.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Designed for advanced level Russian speakers, with all classes conducted in Russian. Combines Russian language instruction with courses on international relations, diplomacy and economics.
National Theater Institute: Moscow Art Theater (MATS)
Study abroad for a semester. Taught at Moscow Arts Theater, with emphasis on intensive theatrical training (acting, movement, voice, design and Russian language).
School of Russian and Asiatic Studies
Study abroad for a semester or academic year (with the possibility of a flexible program design). Russian as a Second Language Program, with emphasis on intensive language learning. Offered locations: St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Moscow, Vladivostok, Kiev and Bishkek.
University of Arizona: Russia Abroad
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Run by the University of Arizona, with choice of locations in Moscow (Moscow Humanities University) or St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg State University). Open to all levels of Russian speakers.
Vassar College European University
Study abroad for a semester. Program operated by Vassar College, with classes taught at the Hermitage Museum, the Russian Museum and the European University. Art history focus with language component.
Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
Study abroad for a semester or academic year (second semester entails continued language and internship/research project). Strong language component in addition to courses on history, economics and international relations in relation to the Russian Far East. Courses taught in English, but Russian readings/assignments available for advanced students.
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Organized by CET Academic Programs, a study abroad organization. Programs based in Prague. Choice of Central European Studies, Film Production, Jewish Studies or New Media.
Study abroad for a semester or academic year. Program run and operated by New York University. Non-NYU students apply as visiting students. Full range of courses, including language courses in Czech, Polish and Russian.
Resources
Amherst Center for Russian Culture
Through the generous gift of Thomas P. Whitney '37, Amherst College has acquired what has generally been considered the world's largest private holding of Russian books, manuscripts, newspapers and periodicals.
Identities, Cultures and Texts in East-Central Europe
Two cities with complicated histories, rich cultures and promising futures will become case studies for this unique opportunity in global education. Among the theoretical foundations of this course will be the ever-shifting paradigm.
Lorna M. Peterson Prize
The Lorna M. Peterson Prize supports scholarly and creative work by undergraduate students taking part in Five College programs. The $500 prize is awarded annually based on nominations from Five College programs.
Contact Us
Program Director:
Sergey Glebov, Five College Associate Professor of History
Five College Staff Liaison:
April Shandor, Academic Programs Coordinator