First year
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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
Sector Plan
The master’s programme is part of the Sector Plan and is offered in close collaboration
with the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Each student can take any course at the sister university.
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.
The master’s programme consists of three tracks, each track leading the student to follow specific courses:
The Slavic Linguistics track;
The Slavic Literature and Culture track;
The Slavic Linguistics, Literature and Culture track, in which students are free to choose
between all courses mentioned in the schedules below.
For all tracks, it is possible to exchange a course for an interdisciplinary module in the
field of the track. In order to do so, however, the exchange must first be approved by the
Board of Examiners.
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.