PROGRAMS / DIRECTED STUDY       Site map

Directed Study for students with specific interests Directed Study options makes SRAS programs fully flexible.  If you have a specific interest that you would like to explore in depth, this will allow you to do just that, even if we do not currently offer a specific program for that interest. Directed Study students will be assigned an adviser to oversee their progress, assist with access to research materials, and to answer general questions and concerns. This course results in a final paper or report, graded by the adviser, and eligible for publication in Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies.        My Fulbright proposal made it pass the first round of results! Also, I received more good news-  I got into UC Riverside Dance History and Theory PhD program with fellowship. Knowing I get to do what I love for 6 years- it doesn't get much better than that. I wanted to thank you for all of your help with my directed study project last winter, it significantly contributed to applications. J. Petrie, 2008                 Directed Study is not available at all universities during the summer months. Access to certain archives during summer can also be limited. Acceptance for Directed Study is subject to additional application procedures separate from the program application procedure (see below). Acceptance for Directed Study is not guaranteed even if the student is accepted for the regular program. Program Costs Added to any other SRAS standard program     Cost: 875$ Includes advising by both the Russian expert and Vestnik journal editor, support in finding and obtaining material, instructional tours of Russian libraries, and general academic support. Customized classes Courses (in Russian or English) can also be arranged according to specific topics. However, the cost and availability will vary widely based on topic, time of year, location, etc. If you are interested in this, please contact SRAS for more information. Optional services Prices estimated. Translation for interviews - $20 per hour; Translation of text - $20 per 1800 characters (about 1 page); Travel costs - enquire with your SRAS Consultant. Application Requirements: Interested students must submit an initial prospectus which clearly covers the following topics: Subject Matter. You must include a detailed description of the subject matter to be considered. The subject should be narrow and specific. For example, do not submit a proposal asking to study Russian-American relations. The topic is far to broad to be covered in one paper or even several papers. Asking to study how the Jackson Vanik Amendment has affected Russian oil production is a much more manageable topic, and one which advisers will be more interested in and able to help with. Methodology. Methodology is simply an outline of how you intended to study your subject. You need not have your opinions or conclusions already in place (nor should you), but you must have a sort of "road map" for your study. For example, in the above case, you might ask to interview political scientists in Russia about their opinions on the amendment, its enforcement and repercussions, and then compare and contrast that with the business opinions of those involved in the import and export of oil and oil-related products such as drilling equipment. You might then take this information, with theoretical conclusions drawn from it, and compare it with the cost of producing oil and the price of oil on world markets. Do not expect your advisor to point you in the right direction. There are no directions if you don't know where you want to go. Bibliography. Supply a list of the research you have already done and sources you have already found. If you have not already performed some independent study on the topic, your advisor will not take your proposal seriously. Importance. Give some indication of why you think your subject matter needs to be studied. Tell why you think that current studies are not already exhaustive.  Course Description During the course of the program, the student will meet with the adviser at least three times.  The first will be at the beginning of the program to discuss the project, share views and experience, and to determine the most effective approach to the material.  At the halfway point of the semester, another meeting will be held to check the student’s progress and resolve any outstanding problems.  One week before the due date of the paper, the last meeting will resolve any remaining technical or formatting problems.  The adviser will be available to the student throughout the process, however, should special problems or concerns arise.  At the beginning of the program, all students will be taken on 1-2 tours of relevant local libraries and taught how to use them.  The Vestnik Editor-in-Chief will also act as an adviser on the stylistics and grammar of the paper, as the academic adviser will not be a native English speaker.  English speaking advisers are available.  Papers should be at least 15 pages long. The adviser and the student will set the specific requirements during their first meeting appropriate to the project. Length requirements may also be affected by the requirements for transfer credit at the student's home institution.  print this page email this page