Graduate Studies

Modern & Medieval Languages

Graduate Studies



MPhil in Russian Studies | MPhil in Russian Studies Prospectus

 

MPhil in Russian Studies Prospectus

Information below valid only for academic year 2012-2013. In 2013-2014 the MPHil in Russian Studies will merge with the MPhil in EuroLit.


Course Structure and Assessment

MPhil students will study three courses of equal weight. The Core Course introduces students to key practical research skills, applied to various areas of Russian Studies. It runs continuously through the Michaelmas term. In the Lent Term, students select two modules from a wide range of options.

For each of these three components, students are required to write an assessed essay of up to 4,500 words. In the Easter term students work on a thesis of up to 15,000 words, which provides the opportunity for a substantial exercise in independent research. Students who hope to progress to a PhD after the MPhil may use the MPhil thesis to lay the foundations of their doctoral research, and present it as the basis for a PhD proposal.

Each of the assessed elements will be scrutinised independently by two examiners, and may also be referred to an external examiner. There may also be an oral examination on the thesis.

Teaching

The Core Course is taught through a regular programme of weekly lectures and seminars. It introduces students to techniques and approaches which they may wish to apply in their Core Course essay as well as in their Module essay and dissertation. Teaching for the Modules is more varied. Some modules are organised as formal seminars (this applies particularly to modules shared with other MPhil courses), while some will be available as courses of directed reading under the guidance of a supervisor. This allows the flexibility to hone the course to the needs and interests of particular students in any given year.

The list of available Term modules varies from year to year, but it will include topics from across the CamCREES spectrum of disciplines: literature, cinema, history and culture from the Middle Ages to the present, Slavonic linguistics, history of art, music, social anthropology, sociology, politics, Polar Studies.

Modules are chosen by students in the first two weeks of term, after consultation with the module convenor/s. For detailed information on all avaliable modules and for preparatory reading lists, please see the Core Course page.

The dissertation will be written in consultation with an appointed individual supervisor.

Supervision will be available in the wide range of disciplines covered by the Department of the Slavonic Studies in association with members of CamCREES. The MPhil course director will aid students in selecting and contacting supervisors appropriate to their interests.

Students will be entitled to up to two hours of one-on-one supervision for each of their essays, and up to four hours for their dissertation. The Course Director will act as initial advisor/supervisor for all students in the first instance, and will hold a meeting with them at the start of the academic year to ascertain how their specific interests can be best served by the course.

In addition to the teaching for the core course, modules and dissertation, students will have the opportunity to attend or participate in a additional relevant (but not assessed) courses run by the participating institutions. These include regular CamCREES and departmental research seminars, as well as some advanced undergraduate courses.

We do not provide an introductory Russian language course for the MPhil. However, students may have the opportunity to develop their language skills either through self-access courses at the University Language Centre, or through courses in the Department of Slavonic Studies, or through courses organised by the Pressland Fund.

Staff

The members of staff who are principally involved in the coordination and teaching of the MPhil (whether through the core course or the modules or through dissertation supervision) are:


Dr Uilleam Blacker (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Rosalind Polly Blakesley (History of Art)
Dr Alexander Etkind (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Julie Fedor (Slavonic Studies)
Professor Simon Franklin (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Jana Howlett (Slavonic Studies)
Professor Caroline Humphrey (Social Anthropology)
Dr Hubertus Jahn (History)
Dr David Lane (Social and Political Sciences)
Dr Susan Larsen (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Rachel Polonsky (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Bill Quillen (Music)
Dr Rebecca Reich (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Nikolai Ssorin-Chaikov (Social Anthropology)
Dr Diane Thompson (Slavonic Studies)
Dr Piers Vitebsky (Scott Polar Institute)
Dr Chris Ward (Slavonic Studies)
Dr David Willis (Linguistics) (On leave 2011-12)
Dr Emma Widdis (Slavonic Studies)

Applicants and ApplicationsThe course is designed for students with a background in any area of the humanities and social sciences, who are interested in the postgraduate study of Russia. Successful applicants will normally be expected to have a First Class or high 2.1 B.A. Honours degree (or equivalent) in any of the relevant disciplines. A reading knowledge of Russian is also required. All applicants will be asked to submit a sample of written work in English.

For further information on entry requirements, see the Graduate Studies Prospectus on the website of the Board of Graduate Studies. The Prospectus, application form in PDF format and instructions on how to apply online are available on the web.

Fees and Funding

Details on fees and funding can be found at the link from the navigation bar on the left Fees and Funding.

Student Guide/Timetable for Applications

A timetable for students applying for the MPhil, including cut-off dates for applications to the AHRC, is available here.

Contacts

Academic inquiries about the MPhil in Russian Studies should be addressed to the Course Director at the Department of Slavonic Studies, slavon@hermes.cam.ac.uk. Administrative queries on the course, general information or admissions enquiries should be directed to the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages Graduate Studies Office.