Russia, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet states of Eurasia form one of the most important, troubled, and interesting parts of the world today. It is also an area steeped in rich history and culture. As one of the leading centers for the study of Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, the University of Illinois offers numerous courses on this region’s politics, societies, history, languages, and cultures.

The Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center offers an interdisciplinary major and minor in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies. These programs involve students in the study of an important and complex world area in a manner that draws together the approaches of different disciplines, while at the same time building knowledge in a single discipline. A flexible program, the major and minor in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies allow the students to construct individual programs of study that suit their interests and career goals, whether they plan to work in the region or on regional issues, go on to graduate study, or simply have personal interest in the area and want a well-rounded undergraduate program. Most classes are relatively small, and the students work closely with the director of the Center and other faculty in constructing their programs.

Global Informatics Certificate

In partnership with Illinois Informatics, this program allows undergraduate students to declare an Informatics minor in addition to a major in REEES, and, upon completion, awards a Global Informatics Certificate, preparing students to enter a world “in which information technologies are ubiquitous, evolving, and global in scope.” This program combines the international knowledge and engagement of a REEES major with the computational tools and technical problem-solving of an Informatics minor.

Major Requirements: Students fulfill the regular requirements for the REEES major.

Minor Requirements: Students fulfill the regular requirements for the Informatics minor:

• 3 core courses at the 100-200 level (including an approved computer programming course)
• 9 credit hours at the 300-400 level

The only additional coursework required for the certificate is a senior capstone project course, which pulls together knowledge and interests from both the major and the minor fields.

If you are interested, please contact Maureen Marshall memarsh@illinois.edu (REEES) or Karin Readel kereadel@illinois.edu (Informatics).