Overview
The Master of Arts in Slavic and Eurasian Cultures at Duke University offers an in-depth exploration of the linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural dimensions of Slavic and Eurasian societies. This program is designed for students who wish to engage in advanced language study while conducting research on the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Students typically complete their degree within a two-year timeframe, culminating in a master's thesis that reflects their research findings and academic growth.
What you'll study
Core learning experience
- Graduate coursework in Slavic and Eurasian studies, encompassing linguistics, cultural theory, and regional literature and history.
- Continuous advising and thesis development with the Director of Graduate Studies throughout the program.
- Master’s thesis completion and defense, usually taking place by the end of the program.
Sample course areas
- Russian and Slavic Linguistics
- Borderland and Battleground: A Journey Through Twentieth-Century Eastern Europe
- Semiotics of Culture
- Semiotics and Linguistics
- Stylistic and Compositional Elements of Scholarly Russian
- Theory and Methods of Comparative Linguistics
- Cognitive and Neurolinguistics
- The Struggle for Justice and Faith: Russian Literature and Culture, 1855–1900
- The Russian Novel
- Russian Modernism
- Language and the Law
- Geopolitics & From Bosnia to Afghanistan
- Geopolitics and Globalization: From Bosnia to Afghanistan
- The Politics of Language
- Around the Bloc: Cold War Culture in the USSR and Eastern Europe
- Turkey: Muslim and Modern
- Trauma and Nostalgia: East European Film in the 21st Century
- Special Topics in Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Advising and thesis
- Year 1: Students receive guidance from the Director of Graduate Studies, with encouragement to identify a specialization and thesis topic early on.
- Year 2: Regular meetings with the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure degree progress, with the possibility of appointing a separate thesis advisor.
Transfer credits
- Up to six units of graduate credit may be transferred from an accredited institution, provided the coursework meets the program's standards.
- Transferring credits does not affect the minimum number of units required to be completed at Duke University.
- Transfer work must have received a grade of G or B or equivalent.
Entry requirements
Academic background
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with required transcripts detailing GPA and grading scale.
Program-specific notes
- There is no specific GRE/GMAT requirement or minimum GPA threshold for admission.
English language proficiency
- Accepted tests include TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test (DET).
- Minimum scores are typically required: TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7.0.
Career prospects
Graduates of the M.A. in Slavic and Eurasian Cultures program are well-prepared for a variety of career paths, including roles in academia, government, international relations, cultural institutions, and non-profit organizations. The comprehensive understanding of the region’s languages, cultures, and histories equips alumni with the skills necessary for positions that demand cultural sensitivity and analytical expertise.