Russian and Eastern European History at the University of Kansas

Center for Russian and East European Studies (CREES)

All above history faculty are members of the university's federally funded and internationally recognized Center for Russian and East European Studies, which has a separate M.A. program. A number of graduate history students co-enroll in that program. The Center hosts a weekly brown bag series on various aspects of the region, often presented by guest and visiting speakers and many other events. Academic year FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies) Center fellowships are also available for doctoral students.

Courtesy Faculty (available for special readings courses and as members of graduate committees):

  • Maria Carlson, Professor, Slavic Literature: Russian and Ukrainian intellectual history.
  • Jacob Kipp, Director, Foreign Army Studies, Fort Leavenworth: Russian history; Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet military history; military planning, strategy and tactics.
  • Bruce Menning, Professor, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth: Russian history; Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet military history and strategy.
  • Alex Tsiovkh, Visiting Faculty from Lviv: Ukrainian history and culture.

A number of other current or former faculty and staff have expertise in the history of this area, including:

  • Theodore Wilson, Professor, History: US diplomatic history; World War II; Cold War.
  • John Dardess, Professor Emeritus: East Asia; Central Asia.
  • Gerald Mikkelson, Professor, Slavic: Siberia; St. Petersburg.
  • Rose Greaves, Professor Emeritus: Middle East.
  • Edith Clowes, Professor, Slavic: Russian intellectual history.
  • Heinrich Stammler, Professor Emeritus: Russian intellectual and religious history.
  • Michael Palij, Professor Emeritus: Ukrainian history.
  • Richard DeGeorge, Professor, Philosophy: Marxism.
  • Brad Schaffner, Director, Slavic Division, KU Library: Russian and East European history.
  • Kurt Schultz, Managing Editor, The Russian Review: Russian/Soviet history.
Requirements for the Major Field

A. M.A. Students

Students shall take a total of 18 credit-hours of course work in the major field, preferably including courses focusing both on Russia and on Eastern Europe. Students may elect to emphasize either Russian or East European history.

The M.A. program centers around graduate colloquia in Russian or East European history, and at least one research seminar. In the research seminar, students must undertake a project involving the use of primary and secondary materials in their original languages, and produce a paper of publishable quality. Upon their advisor's recommendation, students may count certain upper-level (500 and above) in CREES or the Slavic Department towards their degree.

B. Ph.D. Students

For the Ph.D. degree students must first fulfill the requirements for the M.A. degree listed above, and be formally admitted to the Ph.D. program. In addition, students must take a second research seminar in the Russia/East European field, producing a publishable-quality paper. Normally, students shall choose a specialization in either Russian or East European history, while gaining teaching competence in both areas.

C. Language Requirements

For both the M.A. and the Ph.D., students must demonstrate reading proficiency in their primary research language. Such proficiency usually requires a minimum of three years’ formal study at the university level, although it may also be gained through intensive courses, residence in the country, or family heritage. For the Ph.D., students must also demonstrate reading, writing, and speaking competence in the modern language of the country/people under study. They must also demonstrate a useable reading knowledge of a second foreign language appropriate to graduate study in the Russia/East Europe field.

D. Secondary Fields Students

Students shall select secondary fields for the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in consultation with their advisor. Many secondary fields dovetail well with a primary specialization in Russian/East European history. Some of the most common choices are:
Modern Europe; East Asian history; International, Military, or Diplomatic history; Medieval history; Early Modern Europe; Women’s history; History of religion; Russian and East European Studies; Slavic Languages or Literatures.

Russia and East Europe as a Secondary Field

A. For the M.A. Degree

Students must take a minimum of six credit-hours (two courses) in the Russia/East Europe field, including at least one course at the graduate (700/800) level.

B. For the Ph.D. Degree

Students must take a minimum of six credit-hours (two courses) in the Russia/East Europe field at the graduate (700/800) level.

C. A secondary field in Russia and East Europe

A secondary field in Russia and East Europe would be appropriate and valuable for students with a major emphasis in modern, early modern, or medieval Europe, East Asia, or the diplomatic, military, and women’s history thematic fields, as well as to students in political science, religious studies, or Slavic languages and literatures. Students who select Russia and Eastern Europe as a secondary field are not required to gain proficiency in East European languages.


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