Russian and Eurasian Studies Program

Khaldei Collection

Colgate has a unique tie to the life and work of the famous Soviet photographer Yevgeny Khaldei, whose images of WWII and its aftermath defined that history for generations of viewers.

Welcoming the REST Program in Style

Colgate inaugurates the Russian and Eurasian Studies program with baklava and balaclavas. READ MORE

Educational Experiences

Togbor Wentum '13 accompanied Professor Nancy Ries on a project for the Open Societies Foundation in the summer of 2011.

REST Faculty

Nancy Ries on the Odessa Steps in Ukraine. Meet our Russian and Eurasian studies faculty.

Russian and Eurasian Studies focuses on the vast area of the globe that extends from European Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe to Central Asia, the Caucasus, Siberia, and the Russian far east. Our courses cover language, literature and the arts, history, politics, ethnic relations, social conditions, and the environment.

About Russian and Eurasian Studies

The Russian and Eurasian studies (REST) program is unusual in the wide range of its faculty, from seven different fields in the social sciences and humanities. At the same time, we are small enough to know and work closely with our students. We encourage you to get involved with REST as early in your time at Colgate as possible.

Our interdisciplinary curriculum culminates in a senior seminar, which lets you explore a thesis or advanced research topic in a collaborative environment. Students often double major, combining Russian and Eurasian studies with a cognate major or minor in history, political science, international relations, economics, sociology, history, Jewish studies, or environmental studies.

Students who wish to immerse themselves in the Russian language are encouraged to spend a semester in Russia studying on one of our faculty-approved programs, like the Bard-Smolny Program in Saint Petersburg. Contact the off-campus study office for more information.

Program News

Colgate inaugurates Russian and Eurasian Studies program with baklava and balaclavas

Our faculty members are extremely active both inside and outside the classroom. Over the past year they have traveled the world, published significant academic works, and worked closely with their students.

Studying in Russian and Eurasian Studies

Russian and Eurasian Studies offers a major and a minor. Interested students should start Russian language (REST 121) as soon as possible. The major includes five semesters of language, with the possibility of a semester abroad. Courses at the 200-level emphasize critical analysis, research, and writing skills. Courses at the 200-, and even more at the 300-level, focus on the culture, history, politics, and geography of the region. A senior seminar consolidates learning and provides a venue for original research. We are privileged to draw on faculty with appointments in Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Jewish Studies, as well as Russian language and literature.

Success after Colgate

Colgate alumni who majored in Russian and Eurasian studies are pursuing careers in a variety of fields. Check out just a few of the possibilities out there for our majors. READ MORE

Helpful Links

Academic program
Course offerings
Faculty
Student theses
Khaldei photography collection

Program Contacts

Director: Alice Nakhimovsky
Administrative Assistant: Matt Davis
Office: 315 Lawrence Hall
Phone: 315-228-7808
Fax: 315-228-7176