Welcome from SRAS!

This month the SRAS newsletter and Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies strive to take you behind accepted versions of truth - which are often but reflections of reality. Behind what the media reports are countless facts which contribute to any event. Behind what you see in the dictionary are deeper meanings and implications. We hope, as educators, that we can not only impart more facts to our students, but to show the more complex nature of truth and how to question truth even as we seek it. As Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, / Then are dreamt of in your philosophy." And if Hamlet had been Russian, he also may have said, "Правда, да не истина!"

Vestnik, Issue 5

Our fifth issue of Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies presents "second looks" at a number of issues ranging from how postmodernism is affecting the field of historical research to how best to tackle problems of human trafficking and prostitution to what energy security could mean for world militaries.   

Russia in the Media

This month, news about Russia centered on two main topics: the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya and Russia's worsening relations with Georgia.  Below you will find decriptions of the issues behind these events, and several other articles of interest available for free online.

The New NGO Law: A Deeper Look

Much has been written about Russia's new NGO law, which has now caused many NGOs to temporarily suspend their programs. However, we found that the majority of the articles either made sweeping generalizations of the law as "undemocratic" or sweeping justifications for it. Almost none attempted to delve deeper into the issue to explain why some NGOs (political and non-political alike) completed registration and some didn't. Therefore, SRAS commissioned Audrey Wood, a freelance journalist and translator in Moscow to research and write the following report, objectively analysing the complex legal and organizational issues at play.

Featured Program: Sino-Russian Relations

Bordertalk, SRAS's program covering Sino-Russian relations, is now open to all levels of students.  Now, even students with minimal knowledge of the Russian language can learn more about the history, politics, and economic and cultural impact of the relationship between these two giant neighbors. The program is held in Irkutsk, Russia which is substantially influenced by Chinese migration and with trade with China. Read more here.

Soup po Russkii

Soups (супы) are usually given for the first course and depending on the season may be served hot or cold. Three traditional soups that every person curious about Russia should try are borsch (борщ), okroshka (окрошка), and solyanka (солянка). Find out more about these soups and how to make them yourself in this new article.

Educator Resource Page - Updated and Improved!

As the information in our educator pages has grown, we have updated (and simplified) the design of that page. One section details all information we currently offer online about faculty-led travel. This includes a new page on SRAS cultural tours for groups, which details a new cultural exchange we offer with the Old Believer community in Moscow. We have also created a brochure rack here with quick and printable information on Russian visas, health and safety, and the logistics of faculty-led travel. You will still, of course, find the resources on electronic course materials, "marketing" Russian programs, and advocating programs to students and administrators. See it all here!

Up to $22,000 for Russian Studies

SSRC Fellowships. Doctoral and Post-Doctoral studies focused on the FSU are eligible for grants ranging from $7000 to $22,000. Deadline: Nov 14 (more info)

IARO Fellowships. Masters students and above may apply for living/housing stipends for select locations in Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Deadline: Nov 15 (more info)

SRAS Language Exploration Grant.  US or EU students with more than two semesters of language study are eligible for $500 to study abroad with SRAS.  Deadline: Nov 15 (more info)

Ohio State Graduate Associateship and University Fellowships. Are available to graduate students of all nationalities. Deadline: Nov 30 (more info)

Alfa Fellowships. Those with graduate degrees, language proficiency, and professional experience can apply for  monthly stipends, related travel costs, housing, and insurance to attend Alfa's professional exchange program. Deadline: Dec 15 (more info)

National Bureau of Asian Research Fellowships.  Recent master's degree recipients are encouraged to apply for this year-long fellowship based at NBR's headquarters in Seattle researching and publishing information about Asia policy. Deadline: Jan 15  (more info)

IREX Fellowships Short Term Travel Grant. Holders of graduate degrees may apply for grants covering up to eight weeks of travel for  independent or collaborative research projects in Europe and Eurasia. Deadline: Feb 7 (more info)

Kyrgyzstan: Sheep Guts Won't Kill You - Part II

In part two of his piece on Kyrgyz cultural immersion, Schaun Wheeler recounts seeing horses milked in Naryn, talking with religious pilgrims in Osh, and accepting kindness from strangers and enjoying the beauty of Jalal-Abad. Schaun continues to prove that the best way to learn about another culture - and another language - is to simply dive in and participate. 

Olga's Blog - Вступительные экзамены

Olga's Blog features a new entry this month on вступительные экзамены (entrance exams) at Moscow State University. the blog also discusses present passive participles in depth as well as an interesting recent shift in accepted Russian grammar. Next month will feature more information on these exams, and the experiences of incoming university freshman in Russia. Find out about today's Russia in today's Russian!

Image of the Month: McDonald's полезный!

McDonald's recently took the surprising step of voluntarily offering free booklets in its Moscow restaurants detailing the health facts of its menu and educating its readers about health and nutrition. However, the booklet contains an interesting translation mistake, one that largely debunks it as an authoritative source. See excerpts from the booklet here.

Language: Truth is not truth - Правда, да не истина!

Russian has two distinct words for truth, although both can be translated to English as simply "truth." "Правда" is generally thought of in the same context as the English "truth" but can also carry a rhetorical implication that the speaker is attempting to convince the listener of his/her own version of truth. The implication is especially pronounced if "правда" is compared with its counterpart "истина," which refers to an objective, undeniable truth. "Истина" is most often, though not always, used in religious contexts to differentiate between "God's Truth" and "secular truth." However, the terms could also be simply translated as "objective truth" and "subjective truth" if the difference between the two needed to be highlighted.

Perhaps the best and simplest explanation of the difference between the terms is expressed by the following simple children's song "Да только истина одна" (Yes, there is only one [objective] truth), written for the children's music film "Не покидай" ("Don't give up") from 1989. You may also view a 10-minute long scene from the movie from Russiandvd.com.