Russian Studies

Courses

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Objectives
Programme
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

Objectives

The one-year master’s programme in Russian Studies aims to train students in reaching
an academic level of interdisciplinary expertise with respect to Russia.
This level of expertise amounts to a good command of the Russian language as well as
the ability to use it in the context of various academic disciplines, focusing in particular
on the study of man and society in Russia. Graduates possess a thorough knowledge
and understanding of a combination of Russian history, politics, economics and law.
They are capable of making use of academic concepts and methods in the process of
independently formulating a research question within the field, of conducting the
attendant research and reporting on it adequately and in a variety of presentation forms.
They are capable of formulating well-founded opinions on the developments taking place
in Russia, making use of both Western and Russian sources, and of critically evaluating
the existing responses to these developments. As Russian Studies experts, they are
capable of emphasising the social significance of their academic knowledge and skills.

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

The programme consists of four modules (history, politics, economics and culture, all
taught in the form of seminars of 10 ects each), divided over two semesters. In addition,
students are expected, in the course of the year, to write a master’s thesis carrying 20 ects.
Students are free to choose between the four disciplines and can, if they wish, change one
of the modules for a master’s module outside their own programme, with the approval of
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 Russian Studies 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.