School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Slavonic Studies


MA Honours Slavonic and East European Studies

(September 2007 to May 2008)
(at times to be arranged)
(Course Convener: Dr John Bates)

ENROLMENT MEETING: Thursday 20 September 2007 at 10.00 am, in Room 130, Level 1, Hetherington Bldg.

General description
The Honours Degree in Slavonic and East European Studies is multi-disciplinary and is designed to appeal to students interested in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe who possess ability in foreign languages, but for whom the traditional Language/Literature degree is not sufficiently diversified. This course is unique in the Faculty of Arts and is made up of Options offered by several departments as part of their own degree programmes. The degree is administered by the Slavonic Studies Section of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Pre-Requisites
Students enrolling for this degree are normally required to be qualified for admission into Honours in at least ONE of the following subjects: Czech, German, Polish or Russian [for further information on the precise requirements students should consult the appropriate Slavonic Studies Section course information]. In addition students are normally required to have TWO passes at grade D, or better, in Level 1 or Level 2 classes in one or more of the following subjects:
Philosophy, History, Economic History, Politics, Political Economy, Sociology, Education, Management or any other related subject that may be approved from time to time by the Convener of the Slavonic Studies Section of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

In exceptional circumstances it may be possible for students who do not meet in full all of the above requirements to be admitted to the course with the approval of the Convener of the Slavonic Studies Section of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Aims
This course is intended to:

  1. provide students with a thorough knowledge of at least one of the languages of Central and Eastern Europe and, optionally, knowledge of a second such language;
  2. impart to students an in-depth knowledge of aspects of the literature, culture, history, politics and economics of the country or countries associated with their principal language of study;
  3. acquaint students with aspects of the literatures, culture, history, politics and economics of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe;
  4. increase students' ability to work effectively, as well as to further the acquisition of generic and transferable skills which will be of value in later life.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a high written and oral command of their principal language of study;
  2. translate texts of a considerable difficulty and sophistication with or without recourse to works of reference;
  3. make effective use of dictionaries and other works of reference;
  4. demonstrate a thorough understanding of the problems raised in the various Options chosen and to comment lucidly and in an informed manner on these problems and on the various approaches to them taken by scholars;
  5. make effective and appropriate use of audio, video and computer-based technology;
  6. produce by stated deadlines carefully structured, cogently argued, appropriately documented and well-written pieces of written work;
  7. apply the analytical skills acquired through the study of language and literature to a wide range of problems which may confront them in different situations and contexts;
  8. apply their knowledge and understanding of Central and Eastern Europe and their acquired inter-cultural skills, gained both through their period of residence abroad, as well as through their studies in Glasgow, in a wide range of situations and contexts.

Regulations
Students take Options to a total of 240 credits. At least 45 credits must come from each of the three groups. Options taken from Group I must include an Advanced Translation into English paper and an Oral in the same language. All students taking this degree must have their choice of Options approved by the Convener of the Slavonic Studies Section of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Dissertation (15 credits)
Single Honours students are required to write a Dissertation (in English or Russian) on a topic of their own choice. They should have chosen their topic by the end of Week 6 of Semester 2 of their Junior Honours year. The Dissertation should be not less than 6,000 words if written in English, and not less than 3,000 words if written in Russian, and must be on a subject previously approved by a member of staff in consultation with the Slavonic Studies Section Convener. A member of staff will act as a supervisor. The Dissertation must be handed in by 5.00 pm on the Monday of the second week of Semester 2 of the Senior Honours year.

List of Options
Group I: Language
Section A: Main Language Papers
A pass at D or better in the relevant Level 2 course (or equivalent) is normally required for these Options.