SIPA Regional Specializations
Students of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) may fulfill SIPA’s requirement for a specialization by completing a regional specialization in Russia and the Former Soviet States or in East-Central Europe.
Since students pursuing one of these specializations have diverse backgrounds, interests, and professional goals, the Harriman Institute has not mandated a standard sequence of courses. Students are encouraged to design a program adhering to the principles guiding course requirements for certificate candidates – the choice of a country of specialization, course work in the modern history of that country, and courses selected from at least two disciplines.
Russia and the Former Soviet States
For the Harriman Institute regional specialization in Russia and the Former Soviet States, students must take a total of three courses (9 points), at least one of which is a seminar or colloquium. Courses must be drawn from at least two different disciplines.
The Institute encourages SIPA students considering this regional specialization to complete the Harriman Institute Certificate.
East Central Europe
For the regional specialization in East Central Europe, students must take a total of three courses (9 points). Courses must be drawn from at least two different disciplines.
The Institute encourages SIPA students considering this regional specialization to complete the Harriman Institute Certificate.
Regional Studies
Harriman CoursesCourse Listings
The list below provides an overview of our course offerings to help students make decisions and plans for the upcoming semester. Please note that this schedule may be subject to change, and students are encouraged not only to revisit this page but also to confirm the course listings in the online Directory of Courses and Vergil, where course descriptions and class meeting times will be posted.
Regional Requirements
The course lists on our website fulfill regional course requirements for the Harriman Institute Certificate, the MA in Regional Studies: Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe (MARS-REERS), and SIPA Regional Specializations. Further course details may be found by visiting the appropriate department’s website.
Any course marked with an asterisk (***) must be approved for regional credit by a Harriman advisor prior to enrollment. For Harriman's approval of courses not listed which you believe may fulfill regional requirements, please contact Rebecca Dalton.
Language Requirements
The following languages satisfy the Harriman Certificate & MARS-REERS language requirements and are currently being offered: Armenian, Czech, Hungarian, ***Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian-Bosnian, ***Turkish, Ukrainian, and Yiddish. Please consult the Directory of Classes for language times and sections.
Questions about SIPA regional specializations?
For further information about the Harriman Institute or ECE regional specializations, please contact Rebecca Dalton or email the Institute.