EURR 5108: Canada – EU Relations is an engaging 0.5 credit class that takes place in just two weeks; July 22nd – August 2nd. Come prepared to explore theories and practices that lie at the heart of transatlantic relations. Taught by Professor Tamara Kotar, this course challenges students to contemplate governance, institutional organization and civil society in the EU and Canada. Eligible students from Carleton and beyond are all welcome to join!

2013 Summer Newsletter

In this edition of the EURUS newsletter, there are updates on some of the events EURUS has hosted over the last semester, updates on student summer research plans and much more!

The Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University, in collaboration with the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management, was pleased to host a roundtable on “Parliamentary Development in Uzbekistan and the Canadian model” on April 17, 2013. This roundtable featured members of the Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly (Oliy Majlis) in Uzbekistan, who visited Canada from April 15 until April 22. The delegation of Uzbek Parliamentarians was comprised of: 

• Diloram Tashmukhamedova, Speaker, Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan;
• Abdugafor Mamatov, Chairman, Committee on the Issues of Science, Education, Cultural and Sport of the Legislative Chamber;
• Alisher Akramov, Member, Committee on Agriculture and Water Management of the Legislative Chamber;
• Shavkat Teshayev, Member, Committee on Budget and Economic Reforms of the Legislative Chamber; and
• Dilorom Fayzieva, Member, Committee on International Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations of the Legislative Chamber.

Diloram Tashmukhamedova discussed the progress of democratic development in Uzbekistan. According to Speaker Tashmukhamedova, the “Uzbek Model” of democratic development revolves around five core principles; de-ideologization of the economy, making the state institutions the leaders of the reform process, ensuring the rule of law, implementing a strong social policy and maintaining consistency throughout the reform period. Despite the progress made thus far, the crucial step in deepening democratic reform and ensuring Uzbekistan will continue along the path of democratic reform will be adapting the necessary legal mechanisms. For example, through the adoption of the appropriate legislation the role and place of political parties in Uzbekistan has changed. Political parties are now seen as an essential tool for increasing citizen’s participation in the political process as well as their important role of being the executive and representative bodies in Parliament.

As democratic reforms progress in Uzbekistan, knowledge exchanges to various established Western democracies, such as Canada, provide the Uzbek government with insight into how these established democracies have stabilized their political systems. Therefore, the purpose of this visit to Canada as highlighted by Speaker Tashmukhamedova’s speech was to experience firsthand and learn how a stable democracy, like Canada, functions. Through the exchange of ideas over the course of the week, the Uzbek delegation hoped to apply this knowledge in Uzbekistan. Additionally, the Uzbek delegation indicated that their visit to Canada would be helpful in intensifying Canadian-Uzbek parliamentary cooperation.

During the question and answer period, the Uzbek delegation faced questions from the audience centered around the large issues facing Uzbekistan, namely the environmental degradation of the Aral Sea and the impact this has on relations with neighbouring countries as well as on domestic agriculture. Overall, the Uzbek delegation, during Speaker Tashmukhamedova’s speech and in the question and answer period, pointed out how much our two countries can learn from each other, and the value of maintaining Uzbekistan’s good relations and cooperation with Canada.

All those in attendance were granted the unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the ongoing process of democratic development in Uzbekistan from the perspective of Uzbek Parliamentarians.

Contract Instructor Positions
2013-2014 Academic Year

Applications are invited from members of the CUPE 4600 bargaining unit and other interested persons to teach selected European, Russian and Eurasian Studies courses during the Fall and Winter Terms, 2013-2014.

FALL  2013

*FYSM 1601                                                        Literature and Political Change in Europe (Full year course)

*EURR  3001/ENGL 3804                             Literature and Culture in Europe

*EURR 4102                                                        The Balkans since 1989

*EURR  5107                                                       Russia’s Regional and Global Ambitions

WINTER 2014

*EURR 3002/ENGL 3805                               Literature and Culture in Russia and Eurasia

 EURR 4003/5003                                         Social and Political Perspectives in Europe

 EURR 4203-5203                                          Imperial and Soviet Russia

*EURR 4206/5301                                            Internship and Applied Policy Skills

*These positions have been appointed to incumbents who have the right to automatic reappointment to teach in the respective terms.  All positions are subject to budgetary approval. 

Applicants for these positions should normally have a PhD in a relevant discipline and relevant areas of expertise and teaching experience.  A course outline, CV, summary of teaching experience and, if possible, evaluations of previous courses, as well as two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the EURUS Director Jeff Sahadeo,  no later than  31^st May 2013.

EURUS Director Jeff Sahadeo

Email: jeff_sahadeo@carleton.ca  OR

Mail: EURUS, Carleton University,

             1125 Colonel By Drive,

             Ottawa, Ont.

             K1S 5B6

Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the diversification of our faculty and scholarship including but not limited to women, Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In preparation for the 2014-2015 launch of a Summer Institute of Language and Culture (SILC), Carleton is expanding its language offerings for the Summer 2013 semester. In addition to a number of beginner, intermediate, and advanced intensive and non-intensive language courses in French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, Kiswahili, Spanish and Portuguese, non-credit options will be available in Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese.

• All language courses in the Summer of 2013 will be complemented by optional cultural components, for example film nights, guest lectures, culinary experiences, and cultural excursions.
• Summer language offerings hold significant benefit for students in selected International Bachelors’ and MA programs, where students seek to acquire a language and intensive regional knowledge quickly, given its value in the employment market and/or for future study.
• Students planning to study abroad in 2013-2014 will find opportunities to hone their language skills before travelling abroad and to develop their understanding of their chosen country/region.

• Over the Summer of 2014/2015, Carleton will launch the Summer Institute of Language and Culture (SILC). Based on successful models in the United States, SILC will combine intensive language instruction with program offerings on international cultures and societies.  

For more information on the Summer Institute of Language and Culture, please visit the website (www.carleton.ca/silc)

Summer Institute of Language and Cultural Printable Brochure

This conference brought together experts from Carleton University, the University of Toronto, the Russian Academy of Science and Kazan State University as well as students and members from the Muslim community in Ottawa.

One of the Canadian panelists, Dr. Farhang Rajaee, discussed how different waves of Muslim immigration to Canada, over the last 30 years, have changed the community. Dr. Rajaee, Director of the College of Humanities at Carleton University, referred to Muslim immigrants to Canada in the past 30 years with the moniker “Muslim yuppies.” According to Dr. Rajaee, their classification as Muslim yuppies comes from their aspiration to not assimilate nor isolate themselves from Canadian society, rather they believe Canada has become their country and want to become a distinct part of it. In order to contrast Muslim communities in Canada with those in Russia, the visiting Russian scholars focused their presentations on Muslim communities in Russia, the Caucasus and Tatarstan, and how their treatment differs from Canada.

Russian expert, Alikber Alikberov, Head of the Centre of Central Asian, Caucasian and Ural-Volga Regional Research at the Institute of Oriental Studies, focused his presentation on the history as well as the current situation of Islam in Russia. More specifically, the need for the Russian government, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, to create an environment that encourages the state to keep its distance from both political and traditional Islam. His justification for creating such an environment has been the Russian government’s emphasis on common civil values aiming to unite the Russian people, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

Professor Alikberov’s position was supported by Nail Mukharyamov, Director and political science professor at the Institute of Mass Communications and Social Sciences of the Kazan Federal University, presentation of the current situation of Islam in the republic of Tatarstan. In Mr. Mukharyamov’s presentation he stated “The political elite of Tatarstan has managed to contain the situation in the republic from sliding into crisis, spurred by the activities of radical Islamists and national separatists, and prevented these groups from joining their forces…” The basis of his presentation was the events in July 2012 in the Republic of Tatarstan when one of the Muslim leaders of Tatarstan, Mufti Ildus Faizov, was injured in a bomb explosion. The morning and afternoon panels were successful in highlighting the differences between Islamic communities in Canada and Russia.

By the end of the conference, the Russian participants came to the conclusion that some features of the Canadian approach Russia would do well to learn from . Moreover, the themes that came out over the course of the day were highlighting the issues with integrating these Muslim communities into the respective legal frameworks and societies of Canada and Russia. Alternatively, this academic forum demonstrated that two northern countries, far from Islamic centres, have an opportunity to set an international example of cultural and religious cooperation and enrichment.

To see a program from this conference, click here.

For International coverage of the conference, please the Valdai Discussion Club’s website.

The European Union Study Tour and Internship Program 2013

May 5th until May 25th, 2013

Spots Still Available!!

The European Union (EU) Study Tour is an initiative of the European Studies Network (Canada), a consortium of Canadian universities of which Carleton is a member. The Tour consists of 19-20 days in Europe, involving consultations at a wide range of European institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, and Frankfurt. Students participating in the Tour may also apply to participate in an internship (2 months or more) in a European institution; internships take place after the Tour and are unpaid.

Application procedure: Applications to the Tour are made through Carleton University. They should be submitted by no later than March 15^th, 2013 in hard copy to Prof: Joan DeBardeleben (joan_debardeleben@carleton.ca), Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, 3304 River Building, with “EU Study Tour” indicated clearly on the envelope. Please be advised, applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis.

Your application should consist of: (a) a letter of application, stating your interest in the Tour and previous work in European studies or European integration studies;   (b) for students who are not enrolled in the EURUS MA or the  European Integration graduate diploma program, a confidential letter of support from one faculty member (in a sealed envelope with the signature over the seal); for EURUS graduate or diploma students, the name and contact information  of a faculty member who can provide a reference; and (c)  a copy of your transcript for the past two years. Additional materials may be requested. Be sure to include your official Carleton email address in your letter of application as well as a tentative indication of whether you plan to apply for an internship position. (This will not affect your acceptance for the Tour).

Eligibility: Graduate students from any program; and undergraduate students who have fourth year status by the beginning of the summer 2013 term,  from any Carleton program. All applicants should have some course background in EU or contemporary European studies.

Course registration (0.5 credit) in EURR 4302 or EURR 5302 is required (summer session, pending budgetary approval).  This course will involve about 9-12 hours of class meetings at Carleton prior to the May Tour, required readings, and written assignments. 

Cost: The Tour fee is $2900 for Carleton students (subject to adjustment based on exchange rate). This includes transportation between and in European cities plus all accommodations, as well as a few meals and receptions. The fee does not include transatlantic airfare or tuition fees associated with EURR 4302/5302.

Grants:  Pending approval of funding, the Centre for European Studies (EU Centre of Excellence) hopes to provide grants to students with financial need to help defray a part of the Tour fee. For more information about the European Union’s Centre for Excellence grants, please visit their website (http://www6.carleton.ca/ces/grants-and-opportunities/). You should also approach your home department for support as well, once accepted to the Tour.

Internships:  A separate application for internships is required. For more information about the application procedures please contact Joan DeBardeleben (joan_debardeleben@carleton.ca).

Graduate diploma in European integation studies:  EURR 5302 will count toward the requirements of the diploma. For further information about the diploma see http://www2.carleton.ca/eurus/prospective-students/graduate-program/graduate-diploma-in-european-integration-studies/

Informational Handout

Click here to see the full story.

Professor Dutkiewicz was personally presented with the award by Canadian Ambassador John Sloan at a special ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on January 24, 2013. Ambassador Sloan acknowledged Professor Dutkiewicz’s exceptional qualities as a world-class resource on Russia and Canada-Russia relations for the staff at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow as well as his colleagues in Ottawa. Among those presenting this prestigious award to Professor Dutkiewicz were two of the Embassy’s Political Section officers, Margaret Watts and Svitozar Omelko, both of whom were former students of Professor Dutkiewicz at Carleton.

The EURUS Community would like to Congratulate Professor Dutkiewicz on this magnificent achievement!

This designation brings with it a grant of 360,000 euros to support academic work, outreach and networking activities. Professor Joan DeBardeleben, who holds a Jean Monnet Chair in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Relations, heads the project; Political Science Professor Achim Hurrelmann is the Associate Director.

In the next three years, Carleton’s EU Centre will devote special attention to topics on the bilateral EU-Canada agenda and provide both the public and Canadian policy-makers with expert analysis of important isssues, including:

• The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (currently under negotiation)
• European climate change and migration management policies
• EU-Canada co-operation on issues of global concern, such as the Arctic

To see the full article, please visit Carleton Newsroom.

Click here for more information on the Centre for European Studies.