Undergraduate studies

Choosing Central & East European Studies allows you explore these questions, and much more.

Welcome to the Undergraduate section of the CEES website. Please feel free to browse this section to gain an overview of our undergraduate degree programmes.

• Where does the future lie for countries not integrated into the European Union?
  
  
• How has migration created a brain drain?
  
  
• What impact will the emergence of Russia as a major economic power have on the world in the 21st century?

Why Central & East European Studies?

Central & East European Studies (CEES) offers you the chance to widen your horizons by learning about the history, economics, politics and cultures of a fascinating and fast-changing region. Countries you will study include Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Central Asian Republics.

Since the Russian Revolution of 1917, communism in Russia and Eastern Europe has been an intriguing subject to study. With the collapse of communism across Central and Eastern Europe in 1989 and the demise of the Soviet Union two years later in 1991, the region experienced profound political, economic and social changes.

The recent eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union represents a return to Europe for many Central and East European countries. Yet many other countries have been left out of this political and economic integration. Of the countries that have successfully re-integrated into Europe, many continue to face challenges that test their young democracies. The migration of many young, educated people to Western Europe, for example, creates problems for the economies and creative infra-structure of the region, as well as having implications for the host countries, including us here in the UK.

Furthermore, the recent emergence of Russia as a major economic power is of growing importance, not just for what happens in the region, but for the shape of the world to come in the 21st century.

Studying Central and Eastern Europe from a historical, political, economic, social and cultural perspective, allows you to address many of these critical issues and themes.

Why Glasgow?

Our Department of CEES is one of the world’s leading centres for teaching in the field. We are acknowledged by the Economic & Social Research Council and the Arts & Humanities Research Council as a centre of excellence, offering:

• first-rate teaching - our department received the highest rating of 5* (5 star) in the most recent independent Research Assessment Exercise, which means you will be taught by academics who are producing research that is internationally renowned;
• specialist knowledge - all of our staff bring experience of living and working in the various countries of the region;
• a supportive environment - our dynamic and friendly students run their own society - CEES Soc - which hosts film and cultural events, quiz nights and social events. Students from all years are involved and new members are always welcome;
• opportunities for travel - if you progress to Honours level you can gain experience of Eastern and Central Europe firsthand by taking part in a week-long fieldtrip. There is also the opportunity for some Honours students to spend a year abroad studying in a partner university.

What will I study?

Year 1

In Level 1 the focus is on the place of Central Eastern Europe - including Russia - within European development. We examine the culture, history, politics and economic and social development of the region in pre-communist times and during the communist era.

This subject mixes well with politics, any one of the level one history subjects, sociology, economics, slavonic studies and many more.

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Year 2

Level 2 focuses on developments in the societies of the region since 1989. This includes:

• processes of economic, political and territorial change;
• aspects of social and cultural identity and diversity;
• the role of the media.

You will also examine the impact of the legacy of the Communist system and the Soviet Union on the societies of the region and the effects of ‘transition’ on the everyday lives of the population throughout the former Soviet Union and Central & Eastern Europe.

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Honours (Years 3 & 4)

If you successfully complete Level 2, you can move on into Honours. CEES provides two Honours programmes:

• MA (Single Hons) in Central & East European Studies
• MA (Joint Hons) with Central & East European Studies*

There are a number of course options which you can take as part of your Honours degree with CEES. Each course utilises key historical and contemporary readings and frequently draws on the particular lecturer’s own research expertise and publications. Options include:

• An Economic & Social History of Eastern Europe;
• Central & Eastern Europe: Perspectives on Security Since 1945;
• Civil Society & the State in East Central Europe;
• Cultural Politics & Social Change in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia;
• Estonian Society, Culture and Language (1 & 2);
• Hungarian History, Society, Culture and Language;
• Latvian History, Society, Culture and Language (1 & 2);
• Post-Soviet Russia: Renegotiating Global and Local Identities;
• Social Science and Humanities Research in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe: Theory & Practice;
• Society and Environment in the Post-Socialist World;
• Statehood, Nationality, Identity;
• The Baltic States Since 1918;
• The Russian Revolution and Civil War, 1917-1921.

*CEES is available as a joint degree with Slavonic Studies, Politics, History, Sociology, Geography, Economics and many more.

What our students say

CEES has a dynamic body of students who are highly integrated into the department.

"Thank you for being such an open department... if I need help I know where to get it"
(Level 1 student, 2005-06)

"Overall very enjoyable course... department were all very kind and helpful which considerably added to my enjoyment of the course and this year" (Level 1 student, 2005-06)

"An extremely interesting and enjoyable course - Iooking forward to Level 2"
(Level 1 student, 2004-05)

"Tutors and lecturers very friendly and approachable" (Level 1 student, 2006-07)

"This has been my favourite course over the last two years" (Level 2 student, 2004-05)

"This has been the friendliest and most interesting department that I’ve come across during my time at university" (Honours student, 2006-07)

Want to know more?

For more information, or if you have any questions contact Maggie Baister or
Claire Anderson: tel: +44(0)141 330 6461 | e-mail: c.anderson@lbss.gla.ac.uk