Undergraduate Programs

Why Study Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies?

Covering more than one sixth of the earth’s surface, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia are and have been central to almost every aspect of human history—from art and culture to politics and science. Through a regional specialization in the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) program, students gain new and crucial perspectives for understanding the world and ourselves.  

It is a time of change and growth for REEES. Our program is expanding and offering more coursework on Central and Eastern European and Eurasian topics, regional Jewish histories and their diasporas, and Ukrainian and Yiddish language courses. REEES students have many opportunities to expand their skills, whether by playing a part in our bilingual play, improving proficiency in the Russian Language Circle, or exploring cultural traditions with REEES club.


Students in a group

Major in REEES

Our program is a gateway to a world of knowledge and experience, from the classics of Russian literature to contemporary Russian cinema, from Klezmer and Balkan culture to the history of the Soviet Union, the Holocaust, and the Cold War; from nomadic art of Central Asia to Yiddish revolutionary thought; and from the diverse regional histories of socialism to the post-socialist shock therapy and its present-day ramifications in the region and beyond. REEES covers a wide array of subjects, allowing you to choose an emphasis in humanities or social sciences.

Whether your interest in Russia, Eastern Europe, or Eurasia has roots in the literature of Fyodor Dostoevsky or Anna Akhmatova, Sholem Aleichem or Taras Shevchenko, whether it stems from a fascination with the Soviet avant-garde, Islamic architecture in Central Asia, the LGBTQ+ art scene in Poland, feminist activists Pussy Riot in Russia, or Eastern European Jewish Americans—there is a place for you in REEES. 


REEES student Emris Kissel

Leadership in REEES

"My participation in activities such as REEES Club leader gave me the opportunity to further interact with faculty and fellow students. It has also offered a deeper understanding of some cultural aspects and practices of the nations included in REEES. I could not be more grateful for the opportunities REEES gave me."

—Emris Kissel, REEES and anthropology major, '23, ACTR Post Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate

 


Honors in REEES

Graduate with honors and gain a competitive edge in your chosen career field. Honors students obtain valuable experience designing, carrying out, and writing up a substantial project for their senior honors thesis.


Lecture in class full of students

Learn to Speak Russian

Russian is a fascinating language of global and regional importance. Learn about our language courses and how we support heritage speakers.


Students in costume on stage

Get Real-World Experience

Enrich your academic experience and extend your learning beyond the classroom by studying abroad, interning in in a Slavic-speaking country, or participating in one of the many films, lectures, plays, musical performances, and cultural festivals we sponsor.


Students working in a lab in Latvia

What You Can Do with a Degree in REEES

REEES students learn about culture, but the learning doesn’t stop there. Through classes, students gain skills in critical thinking and analysis, policy development, public outreach, and cross-cultural collaboration. A bachelor of arts from REEES  provides students with the ability to work in a number of settings from NGOs to the UN, from research institutes to public interest groups, and from law firms to colleges.


Advising and Academic Support

Schedule an appointment with an advisor and get your questions answered. 

Departmental Advising and Support

Scholarships and Awards

Learn about ways to apply for funding through the College of Arts and Sciences.

CAS Scholarships


Events

Screening of the film "BELLA"
Apr27
Screening of the film "BELLA" Apr 27 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - On the nature of chemical reactivity in atmospheric aerosol
Apr28
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - On the nature of chemical reactivity in atmospheric aerosol Apr 28 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Apr29
Department of History Coffee Hour Apr 29 McKenzie Hall
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “Drowning the Sacred Sea:  Lake Baikal and the Hydroelectric Moment in World History" 
Apr29
Dept. of History Seminar Series: “Drowning the Sacred Sea:  Lake Baikal and the Hydroelectric Moment in World History"  Apr 29 McKenzie Hall
Roots and Rhythms: A Conversation on Afrodescendencia, Indigenous Heritage, and Community Empowerment in Mexico and Puerto Rico
Apr29
Roots and Rhythms: A Conversation on Afrodescendencia, Indigenous Heritage, and Community Empowerment in Mexico and Puerto Rico Apr 29 Lawrence Hall
Virtual Event: Preserving Latinx Stories with NPR's VP of Research, Archives, and Strategy
Apr30
Virtual Event: Preserving Latinx Stories with NPR's VP of Research, Archives, and Strategy Apr 30
Careers Beyond the Postdoc - Academic Teaching Panel
Apr30
Careers Beyond the Postdoc - Academic Teaching Panel Apr 30
Dept. of History Presents: “Trump’s First 100 Days: Now and Then”
Apr30
Dept. of History Presents: “Trump’s First 100 Days: Now and Then” Apr 30 McKenzie Hall
Gender, Race and Empire Symposium
May1
Gender, Race and Empire Symposium May 1 Knight Library
Conversation on Democracy's Future, featuring Larry Diamond and Francis Fukuyama
May1
Conversation on Democracy's Future, featuring Larry Diamond and Francis Fukuyama May 1 Ford Alumni Center