Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia Program


The 2008-09 membership of this committee had not been determined at the time Courses of Instruction went to press; below is the Committee’s most recent roster. If complete membership information for 2008-09 becomes available, it will be added to the on-line course catalog.

Faculty of the Standing Committee on the Degree of Master of Arts in Regional Studies—Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia

Timothy J. Colton, Morris and Anna Feldberg Professor of Government and Russian Studies (Chair)
Julie A. Buckler, Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Patricia R. Chaput, Professor of the Practice of Slavic Languages
Grzegorz Ekiert, Professor of Government
Alison F. Frank, Associate Professor of History
George G. Grabowicz, Dmytro Cyzevs’kyj Professor of Ukrainian Literature
John E. Malmstad, Samuel Hazzard Cross Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Terry D. Martin, George F. Baker III Professor of Russian Studies
Kelly A. O’Neill-Uzgiris, Assistant Professor of History
Serhii Plokhii, Mykhailo S. Hrushevs’kyi Professor of Ukrainian History
James R. Russell, Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies (on leave spring term)
Stephanie Sandler, Ernest E. Monrad Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures
William Mills Todd III, Harry Tuchman Levin Professor of Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard College Professor

Other Faculty Offering Instruction in Regional Studies—Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia

Rawi Abdelal, Associate Professor of Business Administration (Business School)
Laura L. Adams, Lecturer on Sociology, Preceptor in Expository Writing
Jonathan H. Bolton, Associate Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Svetlana Boym, Curt Hugo Reisinger Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures and Professor of Comparative Literature
Mark C. Elliott, Mark Schwartz Professor of Chinese and Inner Asian History (on leave spring term)
Michael S. Flier, Oleksandr Potebnja Professor of Ukrainian Philology
Joanna Nizynska, Associate Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Thomas Simons, Lecturer on Government (spring term only)
Cindy Skach
Monica D. Toft, Associate Professor of Public Policy (Kennedy School)
Justin Weir, Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures (on leave spring term)

This is a two-year interdisciplinary program leading to the AM degree. For details, see the supplement, “AM in Regional Studies—Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia (REECA).” The program aims to provide students with a firm grounding in the history, culture, language, politics, and economics of Russia, and of other countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Graduates typically enter careers in government service, international trade or finance, journalism, or consulting; some pursue further training in business, law, or academia.

The course of studies takes into account the previous background, as well as the professional needs and interests, of the individual student. In addition to offerings by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, students may cross-register for courses at other schools of Harvard University, MIT, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Arrangements may be made for students interested in fields not usually represented in course offerings. Faculty may offer specialized seminars specifically for program students. Students who have completed basic program requirements may seek permission for individual research under faculty direction.

Below is a partial list of departments offering courses on Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies:

Comparative Literature, Economics, Government, History, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (for courses on Islamic civilization, as well as languages of Central Asia and the Caucasus), Slavic Languages and Literatures, Sociology, and Ukrainian Studies.

For more information on courses offered, please see individual departmental listings, or visit the REECA website at daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/student—programs/masters.html

Primarily for Graduates

*Regional Studies — Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia 299a. Master’s Thesis Reading and Research
Catalog Number: 3938 Enrollment: Limited to master’s degree candidates in the REECA Program.
Timothy J. Colton and members of the Faculty
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Supervised reading, research, and writing to fulfill the thesis requirement in the master’s degree program in Regional Studies—Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Note: Master’s degree candidates are required to complete both *RSRA 299a and *299b. Normally, these courses are taken during the second year of graduate studies.

*Regional Studies — Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia 299b. Master’s Thesis Reading and Research
Catalog Number: 1931 Enrollment: Limited to master’s degree candidates in the REECA Program.
Timothy J. Colton and members of the Faculty
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
A continuation of RSRA 299a.
Note: Master’s degree candidates are required to complete both *RSRA 299a and *299b. Normally, these courses are taken during the second year of graduate studies.