25 Nov 2003 12:04:43 -0500
From: charles <[log in to unmask]>
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: [log in to unmask]
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.
