The RES Program is built around six subfields: (1) the rise and fall of communism in Russia and Eurasia, (2) post-communist politics, (3) post-communist economies, (4) post-communist national identities and ethnic relations, (5) post-communist civil societies and (6) post-communist foreign and security policies. M.A. concentrators must pass a written comprehensive examination that covers the first subfield and two other subfields of their own choosing. Comprehensive examination topics and recommended readings for each subfield are available from RES. The written exam is given twice each year. Students answer questions about the three subfields of the syllabus for which they have prepared. RES concentrators must satisfy the SAIS core requirements for the Evolution of the International System and Comparative National Systems. Concentrators are expected to take at least six RES courses for credit. Students interested in combining a RES concentration with a specialization in Emerging Markets must take at least five RES courses. Before graduating, RES concentrators must pass the Russian-language proficiency examination. The M.A. oral, taken after the written M.A. exam, explores issues raised in the student’s written exam and other topics in the student’s subfields. No specific courses are required for the oral exam. Students should select from the courses recommended below on the basis of their prior knowledge and their disposition to prepare individually using the program syllabus.
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