Russian and East European Studies, the oldest certificate program in the
College of Arts and Sciences (established in 1968), offers interdisciplinary
study of the former USSR and Eastern Europe. A REES certificate earned in
conjunction with one or more undergraduate majors prepares students for careers
or graduate study in the area, helps those from the region understand their
heritage,and gives graduates who purse other careers a solid grasp of an important
and rapidly changing part of the world.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in Russian, or sometimes one of the
other languages of the region, and take specified courses in history, philosophy,
and political science focused on Russia and Eastern Europe, plus electives
related to the area for a total of 29-30 hours. The REES Program also sponsors
guest speakers and other events. Instruction in Polish, Czech, and possibly other Slavic languages is also offered.
For much of its existence, the REES Program reflected the Cold WAr and post-Sputnik
emphasis on national security. A number of our graduates went on positions
with the National Security Agency, the CIA, or military intelligence; some
became Russian teachers and Slavic librarians. Over the years, REES graduates
have gone on to Georgetown, Pittsburgh, the Monterey Language School, Cracow,
Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Although opportunities for travel and study in
the Eastern Bloc were limited, some of our REES students competed successfully
for these slots, e.g. two who won Fulbright scholarships to Poland.
With the collapse of the the Soviet Union, access to the region has become
much more open, and there are many new opportunities in business, non-governmental
organizations such as CARE, study programs, teaching (especially English),
and volunteer work. In recent years, REES graduates studied in Poland, taught
English in the Czech Republic and in Moscow, and worked in Russian orphanages.
Candidates should begin Russian as soon as possible.
For more information, contact:
Daniel L. Schlafly, Jr., Director
Saint Louis University
Department of History
Humanities Building, Room 107
977-2915 or daniel@slu.edu
