Undergraduate

Undergraduate Program

When pursuing a major in the department you work with faculty who have lived, traveled and studied in Central Eurasia, giving you access to some of the latest research in the field. There is no comparable program available anywhere in the United States.

The Central Eurasian Studies degree requires study in one or more Central Eurasian language. Advanced coursework gives you a depth of knowledge about at least one of the following geographic regions: Tibet, the Central Asian Muslim republics, Xinjiang, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Hungary and/or the Baltics. Students develop language proficiency and cultural competency while studying current cultural and political situations within their historical contexts.

CEUS offers two undergraduate minors for students majoring in other subjects: a minor in Central Eurasian Studies, and a minor in Central Eurasian Studies with Language Certification.

Degrees

Undergraduate Minor

Undergraduate Minor with Language Certification

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Central Eurasian Studies Major

Is it for you?

The Department of Central Eurasian Studies attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically have some of the following qualities:

  • Interest in Persian, Ottoman, Mongol, or Soviet history
  • Desire to develop proficiency in one or more Central Eurasian language
  • Concern about the people of Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Russia's neighbors, as well as minorities in the People's Republic of China (Tibetans, Uyghurs)
  • Fascination with notable figures, such as Genghis Khan, Cyrus the Great, or the Dalai Lama
  • Commitment to human rights and civil liberties across international borders
  • Awareness of geopolitical issues in an increasingly globalized world
  • Intellectual curiosity and imagination

Spring 2020 Courses (NOTE: Links directly to Schedule of Classes)

IU Project GO

https://languageworkshop.indiana.edu/funding/project-go.html

Project GO (Global Officers) is a collaborative initiative that promotes critical language education, study abroad, and intercultural dialogue opportunities through language study scholarships for ROTC students. The US military needs future military officers who possess the cross-cultural communication skills required for effective leadership in the 21st Century operational environment.

Project GO is funded by the Department of Defense through the Defense Language National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). Federal funds pass from DLNSEO to the Institute of International Education, which administers the Project GO institutional grants. On behalf of the federal government, IIE has awarded a Project GO grant to Indiana University.

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships

https://hls.indiana.edu/academics/scholarships/flas.html

Title VI Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships are awarded to universities in order to promote the language and area studies training of undergraduate and graduate students who intend to make their careers in government service, higher education, or other employment where knowledge of foreign cultures is a prerequisite for success. In accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Education, preference will be given to students likely to pursue government service. Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for FLAS fellowships.

IAUNRC accepts applications for the study of the following languages in the 2014-2015 academic year: Dari, Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian, Kazakh, Mongolian, Pashto, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish, Uyghur, and Uzbek. FLAS fellowships for Persian for the study both of Central Asia and Iran are now being offered by the IAUNRC. Kazakh is contingent upon instructor availability.

CEUS Travel Funding

One of the important legacies Professor Denis Sinor left to our department was the tradition of supporting graduate student travel for academic conferences. The Central Eurasian Studies Department makes available to CEUS students who have been confirmed as conference presenters awards, on a competative basis, up to $350 Awards are based on merit, demonstrated need, and availability of funds. Students applying for conference funding should inquire at aces@indiana.edu.

Other Funding possibilities

Office of the Vice President for International Affairs

IU Foundation

IU's Walter Career Center offers guidance at all stages of career planning and position-seeking to students in Arts & Sciences, including HLS students. The Walter Center offers workshops, individual consultations, recruiting events, and a variety of services related to internships and career development. https://careers.college.indiana.edu

The Hamilton-Lugar School offers additional career services, with a team of career coaches, direction toward internship opportunities, and 1-2 credit courses focused on career building. https://hls.indiana.edu/careers/

Resources

Study Abroad

Overseas study is an increasingly important part of any area studies program. In recent years, Central Eurasian Studies graduate students have studied a language or done research in most of the regions studied in our department: Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Hungary, Finland, and Estonia.

Exchanges

Located on the Danube in Budapest, Corinvus University offers two semester-long programs for IU students. One is intended only for business school students, and the other is open to undergraduates of all majors. Both require taking a 15 credit course load, 3 of which include a conversational Hungarian course.
More information

Recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest is also a significant financial center in the region. On this co-sponsored, direct enrollment semester program, students take courses alongside other international students at Corvinus University of Budapest. Students take business and other courses taught in English as well as an introductory Hungarian language class.
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The IU-administered summer program in Kyrgyzstan is led by IU faculty and jointly organized by IU and the American University of Central Asia. Students from the US and Kyrgyzstan will live and work together on an archaeological project designed to develop scientific research skills and cross-cultural communication and understanding. In addition to actual mapping and excavation, students will get language exposure and have a chance to live in a Kyrgyz village.
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