Regional Studies

Profession

Foreign Studies is aimed at an in-depth study of a particular region of the world in various aspects: political processes, level of economic development, foreign economic relations, socio-cultural characteristics, history and other significant characteristics. This programme provides training for specialists in a particular region, individual country or group of countries. Modernity requires that specialists be able to work at the intersection of interdisciplinary sciences. The specialty of a regional expert implies training such personnel. Foreign Studies provides training for specialists in a particular region, particular country or a group of countries. The Department of Theory and History of International Relations trains specialists in Russia and adjacent regions (CIS). An expert in Regional Studies specializing in Russia and the CIS is a historian, political scientist, diplomat, economist, lawyer, linguist rolled into one. A good knowledge of a foreign language, economics, geography, history, demography and culture of the region allows an expert in Regional Studies specializing in Russia and the CIS to fulfil themselves in various fields of activity.
An expert in Regional Studies specializing in Russia and the CIS can engage in specialized translation, participate in the development of international relations, draw up investment projects, do statistical research, and advise on regional problems. Experts in Regional Studies specializing in Russia and the CIS conduct an analysis of historical, natural resource, ethnic, religious, environmental, political, intra- and interregional factors on the subject of the problem.

Educational Process

Students study a full range of general theoretical, historical and applied disciplines related to Russia and the CIS. Particular attention is paid to the cycle of regional studies disciplines in geography and history, economics and finance, politics and law, culture and religion, foreign policy and international relations of the studied region.
Among the lecturers are leading experts from RUDN University, MGIMO University, Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, practitioners from the Russian Foreign Ministry and Rossotrudnichestvo.

Practice

All students undergo their pre-degree internship within the framework of which they are attached to the Russian State Library, State Public Historical Library, etc. to conduct their research.

Career

The main jobs in which graduates of the department are employed include a diplomat, expert in regional studies, analyst, regional studies journalist, regional studies lawyer, regional studies economist, and regional studies manager.
Graduates of the department work in the system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Rossotrudnichestvo, MIA Russia Today, ITAR TASS, diplomatic institutions of a number of foreign states, international organizations, commercial organizations, research centres, higher educational institutions in Russia and foreign countries.