Slavic Languages and Cultures

Courses

More info

Objectives
Programme
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

Objectives

The master’s programme in Slavic Languages and Cultures aims to train students to
become experts with a critical attitude towards the process of identifying and solving
research problems. Graduates possess a thorough knowledge and command of the
Russian language, and are capable of formulating a research question in the fields of
Russian, or more generally Slavic languages, literature, or culture. They possess the
theoretical and methodological background required to analyse a research problem in a
systematic and creative manner, as well as to report on the results of this research, both
orally and in writing, for an audience of either specialists or laymen.
The programme aims to raise students to a level of knowledge and skills that allows them
to proceed to PhD research. Alternatively, graduates qualify for positions outside the
university that require an academic level of thinking.’

Programme

In Leiden, it is possible to begin the programme either in September or in February. The
two departments responsible offer four courses (worth 10 ects per course) each. From
these eight courses, which are divided equally over the two semesters, students choose
four. In addition, they are expected to write a master’s thesis worth 20 ects, a process
that takes two semesters in the Leiden programme.

This one-year programme consists of four courses. It offers three advanced courses in both modern Russian and historical linguistics. The courses are all based upon — or derived from — actual linguistic research carried out at the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL), one of the largest linguistics institutes in the Netherlands.
The fourth course offered, specializes in Russian culture.
One of these modules may be exchanged for a module of choice outside the department at the University of Leiden or at the University of Amsterdam.
The programme is concluded with a master’s thesis based on the students’ own research.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have successfully completed the 60 ects programme
and have completed their final thesis as a component of that programme. The thesis for
the Slavic Languages and Cultures programme carries 20 ects, and as a rule contains a
maximum of 17,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices.
Also see: hum.leiden.edu/students/regulations.