Bachelor of Arts in East European Languages and Cultures
Political developments have led to a heightened interest in Eastern European countries. The focus of our programme not only is on language acquisition but also on a topical and vital insights into the evolution of the Eastern European countries, including their rich and varied cultural, political, socio-economic and academic heritage.
What
Although it has been more than three decades since the Soviet Union has ceased to exist, Eastern Europe remains an exciting and relevant region. Not only do the Eastern European countries cover over half of the European continent, they also have a rich and varied cultural, political, socio-economic and academic heritage. Their history, as interesting and turbulent as it is, has influenced world history and culture, and will continue to do so in times to come. Even today, Eastern Europa takes up an important position on the geopolitical plane. While some Eastern European countries have become EU member states (Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia), others are still largely unfamiliar to us (Russia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Our programme focuses on Russia as well as on South-Eastern Europe, i.e. the Slavic cultures in the Balkan region. In addition to language acquisition we also focus on the study of culture (in all its aspects) and modern society. We pay special attention to the historical development of the Eastern European countries, their languages, and their cultures.
Ghent University is the only university in Flanders with a Eastern European Languages and Cultures programme that allows for a combination of two or more Slavic languages.
For whom
The Eastern European Languages and Cultures programme focuses on language acquisition as well as on the culture, history and modern society of the Slavic language area. In terms of culture and vocabulary, these languages differ greatly from Western European languages. A special aptitude for and insight into languages is therefore a must. A familiarity with case system languages (e.g. German, Latin, Greek) offers advantages but is not a prerequisite. You combine a special interest in languages, history and society with a willingness to immerse yourself into other cultures (their assumptions, their manifestations).
Structure
Bachelor
- The first term of the first year begins with intensive theoretical and practical study of Russian. Starting from the second term, you will begin studying a modern Southern Slavic language of your choice: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian, or Slovenian. You will also be introduced to Eastern Europe as a region through its regional history and current affairs. The curriculum includes general Humanities course units, which you will take alongside students from other programmes, covering the basic concepts and insights of philosophy, literature, and more.
- From the second year onward, your language proficiency is honed further. You are introduced to Russia and Southeastern Europe as a cultural region through its history, current affairs, linguistics, literature, and cultural history. The second-year curriculum also introduces the study of the common written language of the Orthodox Slavic world, Old Slavonic. Additionally, it offers you a choice of broadening or specialising elective sets.
- The third-year curriculum includes a study-abroad term that provides immersion in the language and culture relevant to your field. The Bachelor's curriculum culminates in a research paper known as the Bachelor's dissertation. It also encompasses a curricular strand focused on current affairs and another on methodology. In the former, you will learn to adopt a stance on current topics in the region, while the latter offers a step-by-step introduction to conducting research.
Master
The Master's curriculum combines specialisation in Slavic languages with an in-depth study of Eastern European cultures and societies. This integrated approach to languages and cultures provides direct access to the historical developments that have shaped the uniqueness of Russia, Ukraine, and Southeastern Europe. It enables you to understand the region and critically analyse its issues. The curriculum also emphasises broadening and deepening knowledge in literature, linguistics, and history. In the application-oriented project course unit, you will utilise your academic knowledge to creatively and entrepreneurially address a socially relevant challenge. The programme culminates in a master's dissertation. Our programme's curricular flexibility allows you to tailor your studies to your interests, focusing on social engagement, advanced academic research, study-abroad experiences, and/or professional placements.
- Your Bachelor’s diploma also grants access to additional Master's programmes beyond those mentioned here, including the Master of Science in Teaching. Please refer to the 'Postgraduate Studies' tab.
Labour Market
Great (political, social) changes in Eastern Europe have resulted in increased job opportunities for Eastern Europe experts or Slavists. Slavists are being recruited to receive and accompany trade missions, to establish solid trade contacts, or to work at international branches of Belgian companies and banks. Other job opportunities include journalism, radio and television, the cultural sector, or socio-political organisations concerned with the fate of migrants and refugees. In the education sector, jobs in adult education, at university colleges and universities are among the possibilities. There are opportunities in academic research (universities), the library sector and museums as well.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Unique Selling Points
- Largest linguistic family: in our study programme you choose two languages from the largest linguistic family in Europe. The corresponding cultural areas are as rich as they are diverse.
- A focus on languages and cultures: we offer our students a combination of language and cultural studies. With the language skills they acquire, our students gain access to the corresponding literatures, (cultural) history and societies.
- The extracurricular activities we set up, ranging from movie nights to lecture series and culture trips, are an opportunity for our students to look beyond what the regular curriculum has to offer.
- Internationalization: how about a study abroad experience? After completing the first year, you can take short-term summer courses abroad. From the third year onwards, you can spend a term abroad at one of our international partner institutions.
- Career perspectives: in addition to a broad academic skills set, our graduates master specific language skills and cultural knowledge. They are well-prepared to enter the labour market but can choose to embark on advanced studies as well.
Strengths
- Internationalization: as the international background of our teaching team goes to show, we aim to offer all our students an international experience.
- Multiperspectivism and talent development: our curriculum brings together a wide range of insights and perspectives - literary studies, history and cultural studies, anthropology, linguistics and philology. It allows us to cater to our students’ different talents and interests.
- Knowledge creation: our research-based education inspires students to learn to create academic knowledge themselves.
- New curriculum: students have been asking for a greater focus on current affairs and on practical knowledge. The new curriculum meets our students’ aspirations, and at the same time includes opportunities for specialization and critical thought.
- Approachability: we are a small study programme and focus on immediate and intensive personal contact between our lecturers and students.
Challenges
- Improved communication: our vision, positioning and day-to-day management is not always clear to all. Together with our faculty’s communication department we are working on a better internal and external communication strategy. Among other things, our website got a makeover and we undertake more outreach initiatives vis-à-vis secondary schools.
- Improved co-operation: “team spirit” is essential, especially in a study programme supported by an international teaching team. We are working on a professional climate in which all our staff members contribute actively, and in which there is room for talent development for all.
- Improved participation: we place great store by student involvement in our day-to-day management. We have noticed, however, that students do not always find the right forum to do so. Why use your right to participate, you ask? Because participation garners enthusiasm and involvement! For that reason, we invest in better information flows e.g. by means of a new brochure, and by posting meeting minutes and important decisions on Ufora.
This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review, i.e. a screening of the Education Monitor by the Education Quality Board. The Quality Assurance Resolution (in Dutch) can be found here.
This information was last updated on 01/02/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.