‘We Pay Special Attention to Postcolonial Studies and Problems of Decolonisation’
The Master's Programme 'Muslim Worlds in Russia (History and Culture)' trains specialists in the history and culture of the Muslim peoples of Russia, as well as their relations with the state and other peoples at home and abroad. Admissions are open until July 25, 2024.
Below, Olga Bessmertnaya, Academic Supervisor of the programme, speaks about the admission process, the courses, and the career prospects for the programme graduates.
Olga Bessmertnaya
Why Apply for the Programme?
We address topical issues related to studying the past and the present and what is important to study now from the perspective of the humanities and social sciences. I would like to emphasize that our programme is academic and secular: we avoid any apologetics, any ‘pros’ or ‘cons’, and strive to understand what is happening rather than evaluate it.
The programme doesn’t represent just classical or political Asian studies narrowed down to specific Muslim regions. It can be particularly attractive to students interested in hybrid, mixed areas, where there are more questions to study than in traditional studies. In today's world, such interactions, neighbourhoods, and conflicts are becoming permanent. Therefore, we believe that the Muslim worlds in Russia represent a kind of model for their study.
We specialise in history, which enables us to directly address hybridity and cross-cultural contacts and interactions. The way these contacts and interactions were arranged in the past also allows us to analyse the mechanisms relevant today.
We pay special attention to postcolonial studies and the issues of decolonisation, striving to understand their essence, prospects, possibilities, and limits.
Prospective Applicants
Admissions are open for students who received bachelor's (or specialist) degrees in the humanities and social sciences. We do not require knowledge in Asian studies or proficiency in Asian languages, although we will be glad to enrol specialists in Asian and Islamic studies.
Historians may also be interested in studying the mechanisms of intercultural interactions, as well as modern scientific approaches to their study and specific management practices. Given our focus on intercultural interactions in both historical and contemporary contexts, cultural scientists find the programme appealing. Additionally, political scientists might be interested, as we explore how conflicts and cooperation arise in such interactions and neighbourhoods.
The programme may interest specialists in religion and historians of philosophy, as we study differences and relationships, and the mutual influences of theological teachings and religious practices. Philologists may find it appealing due to our focus on the functioning of different languages and diverse textual cultures. Lawyers might be drawn to our courses on the history of Islamic law and its transformations over time and space.
Journalists and specialists in the fields of media and advertising may also be interested, given the contemporary relevance of issues surrounding coexistence with Muslim communities. Specialists in Asian and Islamic studies, particularly those studying regions where Islam is prevalent, will naturally find a variety of perspectives for promising research in our programme.
Programme Curriculum
As I have already mentioned, the Master's Programme 'Muslim Worlds in Russia (History and Culture)' is secular, comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and focused on anthropological approaches in the humanities and social sciences. It features a combination of:
Basic theoretical education in the humanities;
Basic Islamic studies education;
Education in the history and historiography of Russia and Muslim communities from the 16th century to the present day;
Study of modern approaches to interfaith and intercultural (intercivilisational) relations;
Orientation in the issues surrounding the positioning of Islam and Muslims in the modern world.
The programme focuses on research, with students being actively involved in their teachers’ research activities.
Career Prospects
Having gained comprehensive knowledge about the history of Muslim societies in Russia and about modern processes and conflicts in intercultural communication, graduates will have the opportunity to pursue the following fields of professional development:
Continue to study the topic through research or teaching;
Work as an expert and consultant in public and private organisations;
Work in media, cultural, educational, and publishing institutions;
Engage in popular science work.
Enrolment Options
Prospective students can now apply for the programme by submitting their documents and portfolio through their personal account on the HSE University website. The application must be submitted by July 25.