ContactSEEU will offer a 2nd cycle degree course of study leading to a Masters Degree in Balkan Studies.
I. General Description of the Graduate of the Program
The 2nd Cycle Program in Balkan Studies at SEEU emphasizes the regional and interdisciplinary approach
towards Balkan Studies, focusing on the Balkan languages
as the strongest communication tool for mutual linguistic
and cultural understanding. Students will examine and analyze
language and cultural issues of the Balkans. Through courses
that will include common Balkan history, cultural heritage,
common literature and folklore, languages and dialects,
students will become able to understand each other cultures
and applied this comparative perspective to both academic
and professional careers. The program will emphasize the
academic and research strengths of SEEU faculty.
The
program by its very nature is interdisciplinary, combining
the SEEU strengths in communications, teacher training,
language study and technology into an innovative program.
The program can be combined with other SEEU 2nd Cycle Programs to create unique programs.
Students will be trained to be specialists in Balkan Studies - especially languages and cultures. They will acquire qualification as:
1. Teachers of Balkan languages
2. Scientific researchers
3. Translators and interpreters in two or more languages
4. Advisors & Consultants on Balkan issues in governmental and nongovernmental organizations (both foreign and domestic)
5. Specialists in public domain (media & communications)
6. Regional leaders
II. Learning Outcomes
The skills to be earned through all programs include behavioral (intellectual and transferable) and technical (practical and knowledge-understanding). According to the chosen degree program, the learning outcomes to be acquired by the student in this program can be grouped in three major groups:
Skills: strong multicultural orientation; leadership skills; interethnic communication; communication between language groups; people skills; flexibility; creativity; adaptability; organizational ability; problem solving and independent thinking.
Competences: General theoretical knowledge of languages in contact; Theoretical concept applied to Balkan languages (Balkan Linguistic Union); Advanced knowledge of Albanian and Macedonian in their Balkan context; Familiarity with all other Balkan languages; General knowledge of the Literatures and the Folklore of the Balkans; Good knowledge of common history and cultural heritage of the Balkans.
Knowledge: aability to teach two or more Balkan languages; ability to conduct scientific research into areas of Balkan Studies; translation/interpretation; ability to continue with Ph.D. studies;
III. Program and Curriculum Description
The 2nd Cycle Program in Balkan Studies will be composed of 90 ECST credits and be taught full-time over the course of three semesters (30 credits each). The program is composed of core courses, elective courses, special studies (practical or research activities), and thesis work.
The student himself designs his own individual program through a selection of elective courses and thesis subject i.e. thesis advisor, mentor.
Balkan studies will include the following courses:
Semester 1 |
·1 Research Methodology (6 credits) ·2 Theory of languages in contact (6 credits) ·3 History of the Balkan Linguistics (4 credits) ·4 Balkan Linguistic Union (4 credits) ·5 History of the Balkans (4 credits) ·6 Language Elective (6 credits) |
| Semester 2 | ·7 Cultural Heritage of the Balkans (4 credits) ·8 Balkan Literature and Folklore (6 credits) ·9 Albanian Language in its Balkan context (4 credits) ·10 Elective (4 credits) ·11 Intensive course - Contemporary Albanian (6 credits) ·12 Language Elective (6 credits) |
| Semester 3 | ·1 Intensive course - Contemporary Macedonian (6 credits) ·2 Macedonian Language in its Balkan context (4 credits) ·3 Overview of the other Balkan languages (4 credits) ·4 Language Elective (6 credits) ·5 Thesis Research and Writing (10 credits) |
Description of the Required Courses
1. Theory of languages in contact 6 credits
In this core course, students will be introduced to the principles of
general linguistics in both its synchronic and diachronic aspects.
Areal phenomena and typological universals as factors in language
change will be examined. The course will also introduce students to
theories and issues in contact linguistics and sociolinguistics
including creolization, language maintenance and shift, and language
and identity
2. History of the Balkan Linguistics 4 credits
Students will acquire an overview of the history of Balkan Studies,
including the seminal works of J. Kopitar F. Mikloshich, G. Weigand, G. Meier, C. Sandfeld, R. Jakobson, M. Malecki, Z. Golomb, N. Jocli, Sh. Demiraj, V. Friedman.
3. Balkan Linguistic Union 4 credits
In this course students will gain a deeper understanding of the Balkan Sprachbund, including the theories about Balkan Linguistic Union phenomena; the theory of Latin and/or Greek influence on other Balkan languages; the theory of substratum; convergent and divergent development of the Balkan languages; languages included in the Balkan Linguistic Union and their classification; structural balkanisms - an overview.
4. History of the Balkans 4 credits
A semester long course on the history (political, social, economic) of the Balkan peoples, including the ethno genesis, migrations and early state formations. Particular attention will be paid on the Balkans in Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman empires.
5. Cultural Heritage of the Balkans 4 credits
The cultural heritage of all Balkan nations will be described in a comparative perspective both pan-Balkan and pan-European. Particular attention will be paid to contemporary forms of artistic expression.
6. Balkan Literature and Folklore 6 credits
This course will center on pan-Balkan literature and will analyze the same from a regional view, highlighting common themes and myths. Mutual influence between specific literary traditions as well as the role and significance of folk literature will be discussed.
7. Albanian Language in its Balkan context 4 credits
This course will emphasize the comparative approach - the results of mutual interference in both ways:
a) Influence (on all levels) of Albanian language on other Balkan languages
b) Influence of Balkan languages on the Albanian language
8. Macedonian Language in its Balkan context 4 credits
This course will emphasize the comparative approach - the results of mutual interference in both ways:
a) Influence (on all levels) of Macedonian language on other Balkan languages
b) Influence of other Balkan languages on the Macedonian language
9. Intensive course - Contemporary Albanian 6 credits
This course will be intensive study of modern Albanian and is intended for non-native speakers of Albanian (from beginners level to advanced in one 2-semester course)
10. Intensive course - Contemporary Macedonian 6 credits
This course will be an intensive study of modern Macedonian and it intended for non-native speakers of Macedonian (from beginners level to advanced in one 2 semester course)
11. Overview of the other Balkan languages 4 credits
This introductory course will focus on the description and analysis of the Balkan languages*: Arumanian, Greek, Bulgarian, Romani, etc.
*These languages can be taught each separate at basic level as electives
Balkan Studies Electives
Cultural Anthropology of the Balkan Peoples
Digitalization of Culture
Balkan Civilization
Standardization of Balkan Languages
Dialectology-Micro Systems
Ethnology of the Balkans
Multimedia Issues
Language Politics
Balkan Mythology
Balkan Folk Beliefs
Comparative Balkan Onomastics
Comparative Balkan Literature
Folk literature of the Balkans
Art and Architecture
Balkan Media
Contemporary Balkan Music
Cultural Geography of the Balkans
The Balkan City-Continuation and Adaptation in the Pre-Modern Period
Selected Courses from other Faculties (CST, PA, BA, Law)
Languages (depending on the semester and need)
Aromanian
Bulgarian
Greek
Romani
Romanian
Turkish
IV. Admission Requirements
In addition to general SEEU 2nd cycle program requirements, the perspective student must have:
1) 1st cycle (Bachelor Degree) in Languages, Literature, Cultural Studies and other related fields. Students from other disciplines can also apply.
2) Excellent English proficiency
3) Excellent knowledge of one other Balkan language, preferably Albanian or Macedonian (to be assessed by written exam)
5) High-level knowledge of second Balkan language, preferably Albanian or Macedonian (to be assessed by written exam)
3) Undergraduate GPA greater then 8.5 expected.
4) Approval from the Admission committee (Students with degrees in other disciplines may be required to take undergraduate prerequisites as part of their program).
V. Instructors:
Dr. Luan Starova
Dr. Teuta Arifi
Dr. Mustafa Ibrahimi
Dr. Marjan Markovic
Dr. Hamit Xhaferi
Dr. Paul Foster
Dr. Victor Friedman
Dr. Agron Xhagolli
Dr, Rexhep Ismajl