MA East European Studies

The programme introduces students to interdisciplinary aspects of East European studies. Graduates of the Master's programme will be able to independently analyse and interpret developments and situations in Eastern, East-Central and South-Eastern Europe (hereinafter collectively referred to as Eastern Europe) and contextualise them within their respective political, social, economic, historical, and cultural frameworks. They will also be capable of evaluating these developments from a multidisciplinary perspective. In spatial terms, the concept of Eastern Europe used here includes post-Soviet Eurasia as well as East-Central and South-Eastern Europe. Furthermore, graduates of the Master's programme will be able to deal with regionally-related questions and tasks across disciplines and to draw practice-related conclusions. They have also acquired comprehensive knowledge of the respective disciplines and analytical methods and are able to analyse national, transregional and global processes. Graduates know the foundations and general principles of scientific work as well as good scientific practice and can take these into account in scientific activities. The Master's programme builds on a first university degree (BA or equivalent qualification) and is designed primarily but not exclusively for students with a first degree in political science, sociology, cultural studies, history, or economics or related fields. The Master's programme in East European Studies consists of the basic area, the interdisciplinary profile area, the area of applied East European studies and the area of language acquisition. Students choose between two profiles: "Institutions and Power" or "Spaces and Constructions". Graduates possess knowledge of at least one East European language as well as professionally relevant social, in particular intercultural as well as diversity and gender-specific competences, which provide them with an understanding of national, transregional and global processes. Graduates have higher-level skills and competences, including moderation and presentation skills, critical and conflict skills as well as problem-solving skills. The Master's programme provides the academic foundations and practical experience for later work as an expert on Eastern Europe in the following areas, among others: politics and political consultancy, social policy and social work, business and economic consultancy, foreign service and international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), culture, tourism, state and municipal planning and administration, media, adult education, publishing and librarianship and academic institutions. The research landscape in Berlin offers significant advantages for the East European Studies Master's programme. The Institute for East European Studies maintains many partnerships with other Berlin universities and numerous academic networks in Berlin-Brandenburg. Students benefit not only from the institute's geographical proximity to East Central and Eastern Europe but also from its academic relevance and influence in regional studies research. The Institute for Eastern European Studies hosts numerous externally funded projects, in which students actively participate.