Small but mighty! And one of a kind in Europe. That’s probably the best way to describe our ‘Caucasian Studies’ programme. It is a ‘small subject’ with great research potential and international appeal. The Caucasus does not just form a natural barrier through its mountains – it has also been a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia for centuries. This historical context has led to the emergence of a unique region that is characterized by the coexistence of various world religions such as Islam and Christianity, as well as impressive ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. This framework provides a unique research landscape for regional scientific disciplines that want to learn more about transnational, transcultural, and transreligious processes by studying complex regions.
During your studies, you will learn about the countries, peoples and their languages. We will take an interdisciplinary approach and examine the Caucasus from different research perspectives such as cultural studies, anthropology (the study of humanity), history, political science, linguistics and other disciplines. In addition to Caucasian geography and demographics, you will also learn about basic religious, political, linguistic and historical aspects, which are essential for studying the region. You can also choose from a wide range of courses in both the Caucasian languages (e.g. Georgian and Armenian) and the other languages spoken in the Caucasus (e.g. Russian).
Multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Picture: Sophie BartholomeA bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures or tutorials).
A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject worth 120 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject worth 60 ECTS credits.
The field of study includes courses in the major languages spoken in the Caucasus (e.g. Georgian, Russian, Armenian), as well as various excursions, field research seminars and semesters abroad in the Caucasus (e.g. at universities in Tbilisi or Yerevan).
The following table shows the possible structure of your degree programme with ‘Caucasian Studies’ as your minor subject:
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester | |
| Compulsory modules | Introduction to Caucasian Studies (5 ECTS) |
Languages and Peoples of the Caucasus (5 ECTS) |
Introduction to the History of the Caucasus (10 ECTS) | |||
|
Required elective area1 For example: |
Introduction to Political Science |
Introduction to International Relations / International Organizations (5 ECTS) | ||||
|
Required elective area2 For example: South Caucasian languages or Kartvelian languages
|
Georgian I (5 ECTS) |
Georgian II (5 ECTS) |
Russian I (5 ECTS) |
Russian II (5 ECTS) |
Kartvelian Languages I (5 ECTS) |
Kartvelian Languages II (5 ECTS) |
Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (credit points)
1 You have various options within the regional and linguistic modules depending on whether you would like to focus on religious studies, political science, regional studies or linguistics.
2 You can focus on: South Caucasian languages or Kartvelian languages; North Caucasian languages / West and East Caucasian languages; Transcaucasia: Armenian, Azerbaijani, Russian or Georgian and language history (diachronic linguistics of Georgian).
You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programme.External link
You will find the Institute of Slavonic and Caucasus Studies on campus in the city centre. We will offer you personal support throughout your studies and make it easy for you to contact your teachers and fellow students.
Areas of employment for graduates:
Training
Image: Designed by pressfoto / freepik.comA university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.
Jenergasse 8
07743 Jena
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Opening hours:
By appointment
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.
Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
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University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)
You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.
Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link