THE NEWSLETTER / JUNE 2007       Site map

07.06.2007 The SRAS Newsletter A Resource for Students, Educators, and Anyone Curious about Russia Welcome from SRAS! By now, you have likely read dozens of articles about the passing of President Boris Yeltsin. The event prompts us to remember the significance of the times we are in. Russia is approaching a pivotal moment once again - the 2008 elections. Over and over again we hear people say that they cannot believe Putin will give up power. The Kremlin keeps claiming otherwise. Those in the West often claim that Russia is turning xenophobic and undemocratic. The Kremlin says it is doing all it can - and should - to foster social harmony and democratic institutions. All of this is debatable. The only thing we can really be certain of is that the press will be very busy as elections near, presenting interviews and analyses on this topic, distracted only by what will likely be drama in the US presidential elections, which Russia is also likely to cover heavily. There will be excitement on both sides of the ocean as both countries move toward a future that may bring major political and social change. As such, the upcoming academic year will be a very exciting time to study in Russia and gain an insider's perspective on what is really happening inside Russia and how Russia views itself in the world in a time when Russian economic and political power is likely to affect nearly everything from gas prices to US foreign policy. If you have views or material you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. To subscribe to this free newsletter, send an email with "Subscribe SRAS" in the subject field to jwilson@sras.org. Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies  Our sixth issue of VESTNIK focuses on what it means and has meant to be Russian. "Layers of Identity" examines how children of immigrants from FSU define their self-identity. "The 'Norman Problem' in Historiography" studies the age-old question of how Russian civilization was born. "The Rise of Economic Nationalism" studies how nationalism is being affected by and effecting modern economic policy. "Rejecting Professional Medicine" shows, in part, how deeply held Russian beliefs are affecting the Russian health care system. Finally, "Empire, Nationalities, and the Collapse of the Soviet Union" posits the theory that nationalism was a major contributor to the fall of the USSR. News and Announcements SRAS Newsletter will be on hiatus during the month of July. SRAS plans to do "housekeeping" to its site, repairing "broken links" and redesigning a number of pages, including our popular "Library," to make them even more useful. The will be a short mailing in July and a large back-to-school edition towards the end of August. NAFSA Conference Held in Minneapolis. SRAS Director Renee Stillings and colleagues from Russia presented information about study in Russia and opportunities for recruiting Russian students to study in the USA. At the opening Plenary, former Secretary of State Colin Powell noted changes to immigration policy since 9/11 prompted a sharp decrease in foreign student enrollment in the US and that it was clear the US is looking to reverse this trend. A poster session display by EducationUSA, particularly the section on Russia and the NIS, drew considerable numbers of international student advisers who flocked to learn more about how to approach this important market. (More) SRAS congratulates Rachel Thompson, winner the Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant for 2007. Tourist Visa Alert! Russia's new registration procedures are causing headaches for tourism and tourists in Russia. SRAS's own Asst. Director Josh Wilson helped pen this article to help you prepare for your trip abroad this summer! The John Quincy Adams Project will places a statue of America's former president and first ambassador to Russia in Moscow to celebrate 200 years of US-Russia relations. The Great Baikal Trail offers the ability to practice your Russian, while helping preserve the pristine beauty of one of earth's ecological treasures: Lake Baikal in Russia. SRAS congratulates Joanne Turnbull, winner of the 2007 Rossica Translation Prize. Coca-Cola to invest 1.5 billion in Russia! The investment will vastly improve the company's production capacity in one of it's fastest growing markets. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Обзоры: Learn About Russia and the FSU through the News These news reviews strive to paint an accurate and balanced picture of life in Russia and to deliver information on important events affecting the FSU that do not receive heavy coverage in the Western news.    How Russians Live A look at where Russians work, buy, relax, and more.                     How Russians are Governed A look at various institutions vying for power and influence.                        How the News is Reported in Russia A look at how major channels covered major events.                    Russia's Near Abroad News from the rest of the FSU, including Ukraine's political crisis and Central Asia's new energy pipelines.        Feature: US-Russia Relations in Review Several official events have been held in preparation for the upcoming G8 meeting in Germany. See Russia- Related Events in: IN;  WA;  IL; More Cultural Events in the US      For more information on other headline events see Johnson's Russia List.    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Comparative Look at Hate Crime: Russia and the US The US has made hate crime a major issue in US-Russia relations. While the issue is a growing problem in Russia, the US should not forget the issue in considering its own domestic policy as well. Pride 2007: Moscow's Gay Movement SRAS student Kathleen Feyh offers her personal account of Pride, 2007, along with commentary on the state of Moscow's gay movement - or lack thereof. Russian in the Autumn: Interview with Owen Murray Owen Murray flew B-52s during the Cold War. Now he fishes in the southern Russia with Russian friends. He has also learned much of the Russian language, despite his hearing loss and beginning his study late in life. Odessa: A City Born Again and Again The site of several battles, great revolutions, Nazi massacres, massive grain exports and famines is now finally beginning it's post-soviet economic revival. Lviv: A Turbulent Time Capsule Despite having been passed between several empires and despite having fallen to first the Red Army, then the Nazis, then the Red Army again during WWII, Lviv is a priceless time capsule of European architecture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SRAS Work-Study Abroad! Earn $300 per month while gaining experience writing, researching, and managing publications in Russia! Featured School: Irkutsk State Linguistic University Our students appreciate Irkutsk for its natural beauty and lack of English speakers. Unlike the capitals of St. Petersburg and Moscow, Irkutsk offers the possibility of full immersion, without compromising opportunities to experience history and culture. Featured Program: Music in St. Petersburg! The Target Training Course (TTC) at Bershadsky Conservatory is a customizable music program allowing students to study nearly any instrument in private programs during the academic year.  SRAS has many more programs. Click here! The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant - $1000 for Fall, 2007 The Language Exploration Grant for the fall semester of 2007 will be $1000, double its usual amount, thanks to generous contributions from the friends and family of Charles Braver. If you would like to make a contribution to encourage study abroad, contact Renee Stillings. Scholarships and Grants for Students and Scholars of Russian Studies An updated list of all deadlines for current Russia-related scholarship cycles.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image of the Month: Boycott of Estonian Goods One of Moscow's largest grocery store chains accepted the call from Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and the pro-Kremlin youth group "Nashi" to boycott Estonian goods in response to recent controversy over a Soviet monument. The store pulled products imported from Estonia from their shelves and posted these announcements near the entrance of most stores. Political movements - политические движения A few words related to political movements and the struggles that go with them. Boycott = бойкот to impose a boycott = объявлять/объявить бойкот; наложить/накладывать бойкот to lift a boycott = прекратить/прекращать бойкот; отменять/отменить бойкот Constitutional right = конституционное право Demonstration = демонстрация; выступления Discrimination = дискриминация; умаление в правах; принижение роли; неодинаковое отношение To practice discrimination = дискриминировать (кого-л.), Religious discrimination = дискриминация по религиозным убеждениям, религиозная дискриминация Sexual discrimination, sex discrimination = дискриминация по половому признаку, половая дискриминация Racial discrimination, race discrimination = расовая дискриминация Employment discrimination = дискриминация при найме на работу Wage discrimination — дискриминация в оплате труда Human rights = права человека Non-violence = ненасилие Prejudice = предубеждение, предвзятое мнение Prejudice in favour of smb. = пристрастное отношение ( в пользу кого-л.; к кем-л ) Protest = протест; опротестование If you or your students have materials you would like to contribute to upcoming newsletters, please let our editor know! « back to newsletters archive print this page email this page