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Admission Educational Programmes Graduate

History and Theory of Nations and the Issues of Nationalism

46.04.01 In Russian

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description
  • The master’s programme ‘History and Theory of Nations and the Issues of Nationalism’ focuses on the scientific study of: the history of the formation of ethnic groups and nations; the peculiarities of the national consciousness of different peoples, national mythology, and ethnocultural stereotypes; and the causes and characteristics of nationalism and nationalistic trends. This in turn can provide political and cultural tools for: understanding the processes of formation of the historical and cultural identity of countries and peoples; conducting educational and cultural activities; developing political technologies to counter nationalism and extremis; developing tolerance in society; and defining mechanisms to protect national cultures and ethnocultural identity.
  • The programme is aimed at training and developing experts in analytical activities related to national history, national development and national conflicts in a historical retrospective.
Main courses
  • Ethnicity Theories in Historical Studies
  • Ethnicity in Information Systems
  • Formation of the Ethnicity Concept in Europe
  • Nation Theories in Historical Studies
  • Formation of Nations in Europe
  • Contemporary Nationalism in the European States
  • The National Museum Phenomenon
  • National Movement in the Post-Soviet Space
  • Historical Ethnoconflictology
  • Struggle with Nationalism and Extremism in Mass Media and in the Internet
  • National Identity in Fine Arts
  • National Identity in Cinema and Mass Culture
  • German National Socialism and its Fall
  • National Policy in the USSR

 

International cooperation
  • The Council of the programme includes scholars from: the University of Tartu (Estonia); the University of Opole (Poland); Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria); and National Institute of Higher Education (Minsk, the Republic of Belarus)

Various partnership links are carried out with following universities:

  • The University of Tartu (Estonia)
  • The University of Wrocław (Poland)
  • The University of Opole (Poland)
  • The University of Greifswald (Germany)
Our advantages
  • This programme is designed for the training of specialist-analysts and experts in: problems of interethnic relations; interethnic dialogue; conflicts and contacts of national cultures; the field of national histories and "wars of memory"; and processes of nation-building and national constructivism
  • The master's programme graduate is prepared to work with empirical data on history and the current state of national movements. They carry out their analytical evaluation and development of recommendations for: governmental bodies; social and cultural organisations; the media; educational policy; and sociocultural policy
  • From a cultural and humanitarian perspective, the programme is designed to equip students with the skills and competencies that are applicable to developing strategies for maintaining: international peace, tolerance and cultural dialogue in society; mutual understanding between different nations and ethnic groups; and respect for national and cultural traditions of the peoples of the world.
Main areas of research
  • Ethnogenetic myths and legends
  • Ethnocultural stereotypes
  • National mythologies and ideologeme
  • National cultures
  • National historiographies and methods of historiography
  • National historical narratives
  • National and nationalist ideology and propaganda in a historical retrospective review
  • Types and kinds of national movements in a historical retrospect review
  • Types and kinds of nationalism and nationalist movements in a historical retrospective review
  • Modern scientific approaches to the study of the phenomenon of ethnicity: primordialism; substantialism; constructivism; instrumentalism; and discursive approach to name just a few
  • Modern methods of studying nations and nationalism
  • Contemporary theories of nations and nationalism
  • Types of reflection on national and ethnocultural identities
  • Types and ways of presenting the national in culture, media, and information systems   
Сareer opportunities
Training for the master’s degree involves:
  • library and archive practice with resources on national history

  • museum ethnographic practice for the study of national cultures.
The practice is held in the Russian National Library, the Russian State Historical Archive, and the Russian Ethnographic Museum
  • Work at research centres, foundations, organisations related to expert and analytical activities in the field of national and ethno-cultural policy
  • Work at academic institutions, museums, archives and other research organisations that implement research and educational projects related to the study of nations and nationalism (for example, national museums)
  • Work as experts and consultants at central, regional and local government bodies interacting with national organisations, representatives of various diasporas
  • Work in media as well as public, social, cultural and educational organisations whose activities are related to ethnic, national and ethno-cultural development and interaction
  • Work in information systems, website management, preparation of content for online media, creation of web portals and online archives related to studies of nations and nationalism
  • Work in higher education institutions, teaching of courses related to the history of nations and nationalism
Accreditation

The programmed is fully accredited by professional and public accreditation from the Association of Managers. Certificate No 097 dated 11 November 2022

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Tuition

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The programme descriptions for the 2025/2026 academic year are currently being updated. Information regarding admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year is available on the St Petersburg University Admissions Committee website.

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