Minor In Ukraine, Russia, and Eurasia Studies

Learn with us about lands, peoples, and states stretching from Europe to Asia, drawing on the multidisciplinary experience and professional expertise of faculty from across the university.

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Multiethnic lands, empires, and new nations

In this minor you will take courses in differing academic disciplines that will give you perspectives and approaches to help you understand the fascinating social and political structures in countries from Europe to Asia – a region of the world called Eurasia. You’ll learn to identify and interpret important geographic, demographic, and ethnic features related to the land and peoples that have inhabited large multiethnic states such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Prussia, the Russian Empire and its successor, the Soviet Union, and all the countries that now exist in this Eurasian space. You will be shown how to analyze the strategic, ethical, and economic aspects of this complex, culturally rich, and increasingly important part of the world.

Requirements: six courses (18 credit hours) in Economics, History, Humanities, National Security, and Political Science. There is no foreign language requirement, but we encourage you to consider adding the Russian language and culture minor.

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Selected Courses and Programs

  • Explores forces contributing to or retarding economic progress in developing countries and individual regions. Includes role of foreign trade, economic integration, foreign investment, multinational corporations, and technological transfers.

  • Analysis of the major political, economic, social and cultural transformations that took place in the last half century of tsarist rule in Russia and in the Soviet Union. Emphasis is placed on the crisis of autocratic rule in the late empire, the emergence of the Soviet Union in the cauldron of World War I, the influence of a diverse, multi-ethnic population on both the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, the nature of the radical and often violent experiment that was Soviet rule, the role of the Soviet Union in World War II and in the Cold War, and the ultimately revolutionary policies of Mikhail Gorbachev. Post-Soviet Russia and the Soviet successor states are also examined. Special emphasis will be made in this course on students writing about events in Russian history that have relevance in current-day discussions and debates regarding Russia’s place and actions in the world. An important part of this will be analyzing and writing about Russia’s war in Ukraine.

  • This course examines the logic and precedents of security behavior in the states of most concern to America’s national security in Eurasia: Russia, China, and Iran. The course takes a broad view of national security exploring issues across the diplomatic, military, and economic dimensions with a focus on sketching a framework for understanding the issues the U.S. might face in this region in the next several decades.

  • This course provides an interdisciplinary study of essential cultural issues and patterns as they have developed historically in Russia from the 18th century to the present day. It will cover how these issues are represented in works of literature, music, film and folk culture. Special emphasis will be placed on the diversity of ethnic and social identities, as well as on challenges to freedom in the media, the arts, and human rights. Discussion of other Russian-speaking Eurasian countries and communities will be included. The course will provide an opportunity for in-depth cultural and literary analyses though discussion forums and short written works. Taught entirely in English. Students with Russian proficiency may read selected works in the original. No knowledge of Russian language necessary.

  • Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has set off the deadliest armed conflict since World War II, sending shockwaves around the world. This course explores how and why the war came to be, its immediate and long-term impacts, and potential resolution scenarios. We analyze how different International Relations theories explain the causes, conduct, and consequences of the war and the emphasis each theory places on identity, culture, security, international law, and power. Throughout the course, we reflect on how the war has changed regional and global security, the way we think about national security, and the lessons the war has taught us so far.

  • The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Minor in Ukraine, Russia, and Eurasia Studies, check out the Academic Catalog:

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