WELCOME BY THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies is a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and extroversive Department, aiming to “promote knowledge on languages, history and culture of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental countries, and its mission is to study and develop economic, social and political relations between these countries and Greece” (Presidential Decree 363/1996, Article 1). The curriculum, as an area study program, focuses on the study of state, law and institutions, society, politics and economics, history, culture, and languages of the examined areas. The selection of the main languages (Russian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Serbian) -and beyond the elective of Arabic- also defines the selection of one out of three major area fields: Balkan, Slavic, and Oriental studies.

The Department, in the context of Area Studies specialization, provides two independent Postgraduate Study MA Programs: 1. “Economics and Politics in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe”, 2. “History, Anthropology, and Culture in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe”, and one Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program, “Human Rights and Migration Studies ”. In addition, a PhD Study Program is also provided on relevant scientific fields, offered by the Department of Balkan, Slavic, and Oriental Studies.

The research work of the Department is produced by community members, teachers, researchers and students with the assistance of the instituted 4 research laboratories of the Department (i.e."Entrepreneurship Lab", "Culture, Borders and Gender Lab", "History of Eastern and Southeast Europe", ".Laboratory of International Politics and Legal Studies (POLIS)") The latter support the Department's policy of providing interdisciplinary critical knowledge of economic, political and cultural developments in Greece, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Research and partnerships with strategic partners (academic collaborations and collaborations with local and international actors), both inside and outside the Greek borders, look forward to producing critical scientific knowledge, know-how, skills and qualifications. Professors, researchers and graduates of the Department of BSOS from all 3 cycles of its academic programs within the School of Economics and Regional Studies of the University of Macedonia interact, reflect and adapt teaching, research and teaching

With a focus on extroversion and respect for cultural differences and diversity, the Department looks forward to establishing best practices in order to produce and utilize academic knowledge for Others within the society. Through flexibility in the context of globalization and the use of innovation in times of crisis, the Department is helping its students to cross national borders and establish relationships with neighbors in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Middle East

 

Dimitrios Kyrkilis, Professor

Head of the Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies

University of Macedonia

 

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