Structure and content

The scope of the Master's Programme in MAREEES is 120 ECTS credits and is designed to lead to a Master of Art (MA) degree in two years with full-time studies. We aim to tailor individual paths to strengthen our students’ knowledge and skills and help you to complete your studies systematically. Our academic staff supports you in preparing a personal study plan (PSP) and following it.
Content

The MAREEES as an area studies programme relies on interdisciplinary approach combining various fields of humanities and social sciences. This approach enables the students to gain a broad view of the cultural, political and societal changes in this area. In addition to the regional focus, the programme investigates the evolution of conceptual and theoretical approaches, as well as, institutional and political changes in a temporal context.

The MAREEES programme incorporates the global perspective with the regional phenomena and puts emphasis on direct and indirect challenges for societal and political sustainability. The programme is structured around the various aspects of social, political, and environmental resilience – in line with international definition of sustainability.

In addition to thematic studies, the MAREEES curriculum also covers major theoretical paradigms and methodologies within the humanities and social sciences. These theories are applied in practicum workshops.

Structure

The Master’s Programme in Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies is taught fully in English. The programme approaches political and societal phenomena from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics covered in the MAREEES curriculum include:

  • Regional conflicts and sources of insecurity
  • Global challenges and policy responses
  • Historical developments and interpretations
  • Global migration, ideas and practices
  • Relations between states, civil societies and religions
  • Identities, nationalism and colonialism
  • Governance, the rule of law and the transformations of political systems
  • Environmental concerns, climate and energy politics.

Core studies (15 credits)

Core studies focus on multi/interdisciplinary approaches within humanities, social sciences and area studies. Studies consists of introduction, major theories, methodologies as well as social and political processes. Courses that have been offered in this module:

  • Introduction to Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, REE-301
  • Theories and Methods, REE-305

Global processes and regional dynamics (15 credits)

Global processes and regional dynamics is to gain an understanding of REEES in a wider context utilising both process and phenomena approaches. Courses that have been offered in this module:

  • Public Administration and Governance in Post-Socialist Eurasia, REE-302
  • Global migration in Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, REE-303

Global challenges  (20 credits)

Module focuses on global challenges connected to the REEE area. Courses that have been offered in this module:

  • Russian Strategy: Implications for European and Eurasian Security, REE-309
  • How Europe got Russia wrong. Energy, violence, and the environment, REE-310
  • Methodological Approaches to Studying Identity, REE-311

Professional orientation (5 credits)

Career orientation course focuses on working life skills. In addition, students can include a traineeship in Finland or abroad to optional studies of the degree. Students can also take optional courses that enhance their career skills.

MA Thesis seminar and Master’s thesis (5 credits+30 credits)

In the seminar students write a thesis plan, and thesis supervisors are assigned during the seminar. Part of the seminar, students present their research plan as a poster in the international Aleksanteri Conference in second year autumn. In the master’s thesis students demonstrate that they can formulate relevant and interesting research question(s), create a coherent research design, analyse and produce research materials, and write a scientific research report.

Optional studies (30 credits)

Optional studies are based on student’s personal study plan created jointly with the personal study plan teacher. Students may choose any optional study units offered by MAREEES or other University of Helsinki degree programmes. There is possibility to strengthen student’s disciplinary, theoretical and methodological and/or language skills. Students can also take a traineeship, entrepreneurship and innovation studies or enhance their international competence for example by serving as a peer tutor for international degree programme students or exchange students, take part in international student association activities, or study abroad on a short course.