Eastern European Studies

Abstract

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  Profile of the study programme

  The master programme «Eastern European Studies» is a multilingual interfaculty, interuniversity multilingual programme. The Universities of Fribourg and Berne have pooled their diverse Eastern European competences to produce this unique offer. The Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Fribourg has an extensive network with contacts to lecturers and researchers from the region. The Institute's numerous research projects and mandates give students ample opportunity of putting what they have learned into practice. Seminars are regularly held by researchers from Eastern European countries.

  The syllabus consists of lectures on contemporary history, cultural studies (Slavic studies and history of ideas) and social sciences (political science and social anthropology). Lectures and seminars take place in Fribourg and Berne. The focus is on the 20^th century and on current issues. Students learn at least one language from the region during their studies (Russian, Polish, Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian, Ukrainian etc.). Modularisation, intensive support and interdisciplinarity are key features of the programme.

  Almost half (about 340 million) of the over 700 million Europeans live in Eastern Europe. The region is known for its diversity of languages, cultures, ethnicities and religions. It has grown steadily in political and economic importance in recent years. Students acquire the necessary linguistic, specialist and methodical competences to look at Eastern Europe in all its facets, analyse the current developments in the region, and place them in their political, social, historical and cultural context.

  Fribourg profile
  The master programme offers the possibility of deepening and expanding knowledge of Eastern European studies by acquiring specialist knowledge of states and societies of Central and Eastern Europe.

  The programme of studies provides students with a knowledge of:
  – Political, historical, social, literary and cultural issues of Eastern European countries and regions in the 20^th and 21^st centuries;
  – The theories and history of Eastern European studies;
  – Relevant methods of Eastern European research.

  Teaching is mainly in German or French. Some lectures are also held in English. There is mutual recognition of the lectures and seminars in the Eastern Europe Studies programme offered by the Universities of Fribourg and Berne.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  This programme provides students with the competences to work on academic questions independently: the aim is to enable them to carry out skilled and complex tasks in research, business and the public sector. Graduates of this interdisciplinary programme acquire an all-round knowledge and understanding of Eastern Europe, are familiar with the problems of the region, and are capable of analysing them. They obtain specialist knowledge and linguistic skills which qualify them for employment in areas such as the diplomatic service, international organisations, journalism, non-governmental organisations, and commercial enterprises operating in Eastern Europe, etc.

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Minor study programmes to be chosen