[Discussion] Russia/Eurasia in World Context: A Dialogue with Middle East Studies

[Gonul Pultar]

WORKSHOP- Russia/Eurasia in World Context Diss. Workshop, Princeton, April 2004

Social Science Research Council and Princeton University
Russia/Eurasia in World Context: A Dialogue with Middle East Studies
Princeton University April 2-4, 2004

Application Deadline: December 12, 2003

The Eurasia Program of the Social Science Research Council, in partnership 
with Princeton University's Institute for International and Regional Studies 
(PIIRS) and its Russian Studies Program, invites applications for a 
three-day dissertation workshop that transgresses area studies boundaries. 
Scholarship addressing world regions, such as Russia/Eurasia, has had 
productive if sometimes contentious interactions across the disciplines, but 
an equally important challenge for area studies is to engage in dialogue 
across geographic boundaries.

This workshop encourages Russia/Eurasia dissertation projects, on any topic, 
to cross the physical and perhaps intellectual borders of the field, 
especially southwards. What can Russian/Eurasian studies learn from Middle 
Eastern Studies? How does Russia/Eurasia look in light of Middle Eastern 
Studies? Do we find overlap in research agendas, frameworks and 
conceptualization, lessons and pitfalls? How can we sharpen our analyses and 
develop new questions?

Are interpretive categories empire, nation, state, society, gender, 
modernism, modernity, authoritarianism, democracy used similarly or 
differently in Middle Eastern versus Russian/Eurasian studies?

What transnational issues water resources, oil, environment, health, 
disease, governance, private corporations, terrorism, corruption, economic 
development, trade, IT, diaspora, cultural exchange do, or do not link 
Russia/Eurasia with other regions, especially the Middle East?

The Middle East is perhaps the world region most frequently cast in cultural 
and religious terms. How and in what specific ways are culture and religion 
treated with respect to Russia/Eurasia?

The Middle East is often thought to be the most politicized area of 
scholarship, more so than Soviet Studies during the cold war. In what ways 
are politics, inside and outside the region, related to the production of 
knowledge about Russia/Eurasia? What is the relation between knowledge 
produced inside and outside the region?

Graduate students from social science disciplines and related humanities who 
are at any stage of the dissertation (proposal to write-up) are eligible to 
apply. Applicants whose primary research is in Russian/ Eurasian studies are 
not expected to have expertise in Middle Eastern Studies; doctoral 
researchers in Middle Eastern Studies whose work reaches out to 
Russian/Eurasian areas and themes in any way are encouraged to apply.

Ten graduate students and five faculty discussants will attend the 2004 
workshop. Participants convene for three days of intensive and critical 
discussion of the students' dissertation projects, alongside larger 
theoretical and methodological issues. The SSRC and Princeton University 
cover all transportation, accommodation, and related expenses for participants.

Based on the success of this first workshop, SSRC and Princeton envision 
continuing with additional workshops to promote dialogues between 
Russia/Eurasia and East Asian Studies as well as European Studies. 
Participation in multiple workshops would be possible.

Applicants should submit the following material by 12 December 2003 in order 
to be eligible:

 - A five page, double spaced summary of the dissertation project
 - One letter of academic recommendation from the applicant's primary advisor
 - Curriculum Vitae
 - If selected, participants will be required to submit a 15-25 page 
dissertation chapter or writing sample. Selected participants will receive 
detailed information as to the requirements for the writing sample, which 
will be due by February 20, 2004. The five page application statements, 
writing samples and CVs will be circulated among all conference participants.

To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents, 
currently enrolled in an accredited PhD program, and working (at any stage) 
on their dissertation projects. The deadline for receipt of applications is 
December 12, 2003. Decisions regarding final participants will be announced 
by January 20, 2004.

Please address all inquiries and correspondence, including applications to:

Eurasia Program
Social Science Research Council
810 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 377-2700
Fax: (212) 377-2727
E-mail: Eurasia@ssrc.org

Funding is provided by the United States Department of State, Program for 
Research and Training for Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the 
Former Soviet Union (Title VIII) and by the Princeton University Institute 
for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), as well as the University's 
Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies.



___