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 can be taken only in conjunction with RUSS 201-202. It is a conversation course focused on daily speaking scenarios. 4 credits.

RUSS 307 Advanced Conversation and Stylistics
This course can only 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.

REES 390 Human Geography: Terrain, Traditions, and Transformation in Georgia
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the human geography of the Republic of Georgia, focusing on the complex interactions between its diverse cultural landscapes, historical developments, and contemporary social dynamics. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia's geography provides a fascinating case study of how natural environments, cultural traditions, and geopolitical influences shape human settlement, identity, and development. 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.

Click here for course syllabi.

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, each for approximately a week. In each of these countries you will meet local experts and peers, see historically and culturally significant sites, and come to better understand identity and what is important to the people who live there. 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.

SRAS is happy to support more extensive research projects in the region. These should be done within the structure of courses in this program. If you are working on a Capstone or other research project related to the region, contact us. There is a section of the application as well to include information about your planned research.

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.

The Caucasus were influenced by some of the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia. The people there traded goods and ideas with the ancient Greeks. Georgia and Armenia were early cradles of Christianity.

Having lived most of the past three millennia caught between the great empires of the Turks and the Persians (and most recently the Russians and Soviets), the people of the Caucasus have managed to maintain their own civilizations and cultures. Today, these now independent states are just beginning to be recognized for what they are: an important part of the history of Western civilization, a fascinating and complex area for diplomacy and conflict resolution, and an area whose future political and economic development could sway the fortunes of the Eurasian region.

Read short histories of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from GeoHistory
Read short cultural profiles of Armenia and (coming soon) Georgia and Azerbaijan from Folkways.

This course is hosted in Georgia. Read more about Georgia from the SRAS Family of Sites.

• Georgian Holidays
• Georgian Cuisine
• Georgian Geopolitics, Economy, etc
• Georgian History
• Georgian Pop Culture
• Museums in Georgia

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.

Click here for detailed information about what will appear on your transcript, as well as syllabi.

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.

SRAS Grants are stackable grants that can provide up to $3,500 toward this program.

SRAS Online Courses will earn you SRAS Learning Credits and help you hit the ground running with your language skills!

Other, non-SRAS funding sources may also be applicable to this program. SRAS provides a wide list of possible outside funding sources.

Budget Breakdown (semester)

Budget Breakdown (academic year)

SRAS Guide to Living in Tbilisi (w/ weekly living expenses, etc.)

The first step is to complete our application (click the Apply now button to create your SRAS account - you will be able to return to the application later). If you are currently a student you should inquire with your home university about next steps for study abroad. This will help ensure that all goes smoothly with credit transfer and financial aid, plus some universities have deadlines for study abroad that are much earlier than SRAS deadlines. They may also be able to point you to additional funding sources. In short, involve your home university's study abroad office in the process as early as possible!

You will find important information about academics, health and safety, and more on our Getting Started pages.

If you are still unsure this is the right program for you, feel free to schedule an advising session with us to discuss your goals and needs!