Tbilisi: Identity and Conflict in the Caucasus

The Caucasus are rugged mountains that have historically separated – and been contested and colonized by – great empires. Politically and demographically, the extreme geography has given rise to dozens of languages, cultures, and identities packed into small and often isolated territories. These hard-to-access areas pose challenges to infrastructure and economic development, with competition for scarce funds divided along regional and ethnic lines. In some cases, regions are additionally divided by the scars of war and separatism. Yet, the unique geography also presents potential advantages – in untapped resources, renewable energy potential, tourism, and providing transport links between larger economic powers.

While based in Tbilisi, Georgia, you will travel extensively within that country's diverse landscape and also to Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the conflicts in these states, both past and present, with local experts. Learning of the historical background and the interests of groups involved, including foreign interests, you will critically consider the governance issues that face modern multiethnic states. You will search for pragmatic solutions using the experience you gain on the ground. This program provides invaluable experience for anyone interested in diplomacy or policy making.

- Curriculum -
 

Total semester credits = 16

REES 390 Identity and Conflict in the Caucasus
Conflicts between groups often arise due to conflicting identities. To understand conflict, then, it is imperative to understand these identities and how they are formed. It is also necessary to understand how identities can be impacted by mass media, popular culture, and propaganda from sources within and without the group identity. Lastly, it must be understood that identities are natural formations of any social group, arising from historical influences and also affected by the geography, climate, and geopolitical position of the area in which the group resides. Guest speakers from various groups and an extensive regional travel program will introduce students first hand to these factors. 4 credits.

RUSSIAN LANGUAGE COURSES

RUSS 101-102/201-202/301-302/401 Russian Language Study
Russian is a still a lingua franca for politics and business in much of the post-Soviet Space. 8 credits.

RUSS 290 Russian Language in Context
This course must be taken in conjunction with RUSS 101-102/201-202. It is a conversation course focused on daily speaking scenarios. 4 credits.

RUSS 307 Advanced Conversation and Stylistics
This course must be taken in conjunction with RUSS 301-302/401. 4 credits.

OTHER ELECTIVES

REES 390 Georgia Through Cinema
In this course we will use the lens of Georgian cinema to study identity, history, culture, and social issues. Meet with leading Georgian cinematographers, screen-writers, musicians, and film directors, try your hand at creating your own screenplay, creating your own short film, or honing your skills as a film critic in one of the most cinematic countries in the world: Georgia, with the Black Sea coast, the Caucasus mountains, polyphonic singing, and more. 4 credits.

REES 390 "Food Fight!" The Intersection of Food and Politics
Food is immensely political. From cultivation (agriculture) and production to distribution (supply chains) to preparation in restaurants and our homes (consumption) - food is at the crux of local, national, and global political debates. Food is central to Georgian identity and a significant part of the country’s political, social, and economic fabric. We will examine how food and food concepts, as analytical tools, can be applied in other geographical contexts to understand political developments and social tensions. The course blends lectures and discussions with tastings, cooking, and excursions to provide an in situ experience into Georgian foodways. 4 credits.

LANG 101/102 Elementary Georgian
Georgian language is unlike any other. Whether you already study Russian or another language and just have an overall fascination with language and linguistics or you would like to boost your resume with an eye toward a career in the region or simply want to integrate even more into the local community, this is for you. If you are one of the few who is not a beginner in this language, we can arrange study at your level. 4 credits.

REES 397 Internship in Area Studies
Internship may be based on Russian or English language. 2/4 credits.

-Travel and Cultural Program-

All students will take part in an introductory Georgian language and culture workshop, in which we will focus on "survival Georgian" within the context of cultural studies.This program includes an extensive travel component - to multiple to locations ideally suited to the study of conflict and identity. We will travel extensively within Georgia (on weekends) and visit Armenia and Azerbaijan. In each of these locations, as well as in your base city of Tbilisi, you will have an extensive cultural and excursion program as part of your course. Note: In the event that any of the conflicts we are studying become or remain active, we will adjust the travel destinations and/or schedule accordingly.

-Housing-

In Tbilisi you will stay with a host family and provided with two meals per day. Homestays in Tbilisi vary, sometimes housing you with a family and sometimes with a single, older person or couple. In all cases, however, your host(s) will be experienced and ready to include you in conversations and daily life. Home stays are a phenomenal way to boost your Russian language and immerse yourself in the local culture. During program travel you will stay in hotels, guesthouses, or hostels.

-Transcripts and Credit Transfer-

This program is hosted by NovaMova Language School in cooperation with SRAS. The School of Record is Stetson University (Florida, USA).
A US School of Record means that your program is supported by and documented by an accredited US university, making credit transfer relatively routine.

For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here.

SRAS Partner School in Tbilisi

Novamova is a private language school founded in 2001. Novamova is a modern school using innovative and immersive teaching methods. The school actively combines intensive classroom training with hands-on, practical usage through conversation partners, various masterclasses, discussion groups, film and literature clubs, and more. Novamova has quickly developed a strong international reputation and partners directly with a number of well-known American universities and educational organizations. With schools in Kyiv, Tbilisi, and Batumi, NovaMova leads educational programming throughout Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.

For more information, and to apply, click here.