Coffee with the Dean/ Coffee with a Student: Top 5 Reasons to Join the Faculty of History and International Relations
It is Tuesday today, and therefore we are having our traditional coffee with the representatives of the Faculty of History and International Relations, which is a powerful educational and scientific unit of UzhNU.
The dean of the faculty Ivan Vovkanych and a student Halyna Hychka have told us why it’s worth entering the faculty.
Halyna Hychka, a 3rd year student of the specialty "History and Archeology" (specialization "Central European Studies"):
I was entering the Faculty of History and International Relations already having my student life experience. And I am really glad to have chosen this faculty. Why is it so? My answers are the following.
1. I consider history the queen of sciences. No other discipline can do without it. For example, physicists, doctors and lawyers study the history of their disciplines).
Historians’ motto is "Historia est Magistra Vita", which means "History is life’s teacher", because as we begin to understand the past better, we find the patterns that will make our future better.
2. We do not only study in depth the world history and history of Ukraine, but also other disciplines that help to resolve more specific issues professionally, for example, ethnology and ethnography, archival and museum studies. Each specialization has its own special courses, for example, those who do American studies also learn Spanish, and students of Central European studies learn Czech together with a lecturer from Charles University, Petra Zlamana. And students of archeology have access both to the museum of archeology and a laboratory.
3. After each academic year, we have to undergo different kinds of practical training, which is one of the most interesting aspects in the process of studying. After the first year, it is training in archaeology. We live in in tents by the ruins of ancient castles or settlements for 3 weeks. It is field kitchen, evening campfire and, of course, days spent with a shovel in your hands. The findings range from ceramic pieces to human skeletons. And, yes, gold was also found) And in the previous three years, we had the opportunity to conduct archaeological excavations in Slovakia. At the same time, we had the opportunity to travel around Europe.
Sophomores undergo training in ethnography. It's also three weeks in the field. It involves going from house to house in some small Transcarpathian village with your fellow student in search of interesting interlocutors and, of course, stories. I particularly liked this kind of practical training because when you hear the stories about past events from elderly people, there’s an impression that history comes to life. It’s true that you have to spend the rest of the summer deciphering dozens of conversations (audio needs to be transcribed), but your enthusiasm does not fade because of it.
In the third and fourth years, students undergo archival and pedagogical practical trainings, respectively. I haven't passed them yet, but the undergrads are excited too.
4. It’s always funny and interesting here. First of all, thanks to our energetic teachers. Who does not know our "mother" of the faculty Nadiia Keretsman? And what about the best archaeologist of Transcarpathia Ihor Prokhnenko and one of the organizers of the festival "Silver Tatosh" Yurii Slavik?
Our teachers publish monographs, write textbooks, judge Olympiads and always remain wise and patient mentors.
5. And the last but not the least are the events for students organized by the Council of Students, Scientific Association of Students "Cleo" and those who want to be involved in the process. Traditional “Miss Faculty” contest and atmospheric “Herodotus Day”. Every year, we choose our Herodotus among the teachers. The Scientific Association of Students "Cleo" organizes scientific seminars and incites young people to do research. We also hang out at the festivals "Silver Tatosh" and "Drugeth Days".
We go on many guided tours in Transcarpathia, Ukraine and abroad. Our facuty team is the one you can share with the pleasure of going both to Nevytsky Castle and the Danube river in Budapest.
Ivan Vovkanych, the Dean of the Faculty:
The faculty was created when the merging of the Faculty of History, one of the first structural units of Uzhhorod University, founded in 1945, and the modern and prestigious Faculty of International Politics of Management and Business occurred.
Here you will be able to choose from among a wide range of specialties that will help you to succeed in the future, namely, history and archeology, secondary education (history), cultural studies, international relations, management and marketing. Let's get acquainted with them:
1. “History and archeology” provides you with great opportunities for travelling: visiting the leading museums and cultural monuments, participating in archeological expeditions in different parts of Europe. The results of your research can be published in the best professional and popular editions, which will give bonuses for scientific internships with the prospect of employment in the best universities and scientific institutions in the world. Field archeological practical trainings at the landmarks of the region and abroad make it possible to touch the antique objects and make outstanding archeological discoveries that will be included in the treasury of the world cultural heritage. Graduates have the opportunity to work in the fields of science, education, preservation of cultural heritage, valuation of antiquities, tourism or state institutions depending on their major. Highly qualified teachers with extensive practical experience will help students to use the theoretical knowledge gained in the classrooms by working directly with artifacts, in particular in the Archaeological Museum of UzhNU.
2. By choosing the specialty "Secondary education (history)" one can get a profession of a history teacher. The ancient Romans said “Historia est magistra vitae”. History teacher is a profession that has long been regarded as one of the most respected. The goal of its representatives is not only to educate people, but also to preserve people’s best qualities that humankind has created throughout its history in order to pass them on to present and future generations. To be a history teacher in the 21st century means to shape the outlook of the young generation, their optimistic vision of the future and prepare them for tolerant coexistence in modern multicultural societies.
3. Culturology is the world that surrounds people and all the things around are the products of culture - material, pictorial or textual one. Culturology teaches cultural competence, that is, understanding of the world. During their studies, students acquire and refine some valuable skills that can be applied in a variety of career spheres, including understanding of modern cultural trends; critical and creative thinking; analytical thinking, ability to interpret information; problem solving skills in different contexts; understanding of the processes of modern society development and individual interest groups; logical thinking, etc.
Ethnology is the science that tells about the ethno-cultural diversity of humankind in the past, analyzes its present state and makes predictions for the future. For example, ethnologists are the main experts in ethno-national or ethno-religious relations. This relationship is a very sensitive topic, especially taking into consideration the current manifestations of racism, extremism or intolerance. Ethnology has great prognostic potential in the analysis of this field, which is conducted by means of ethno-political or anthropological monitoring and expertise. Students gain communication skills as they learn to interview, conduct surveys, make contacts. They find a bridge between the past and the present when studying ethnology.
4. The emergence of Ukraine as a sovereign, independent state and the related socio-economic and socio-political development give reasons to state that there is continuous growth of the role and function of specialists in the field of international relations. Nowadays, not only government agencies need such specialists, but also embassies, consulates, trade offices of Ukraine abroad, companies that carry out foreign economic activities, banks and other financial institutions, as well as media covering international issues.
The educational programme “International Relations, Public Communication and Regional Studies” combines a comprehensive study of international relations as an academic discipline and political practice with a thorough understanding of one or more key regions of the world. The training involves knowledge of geography, history, social, economic, political, religious and cultural development of countries and regions of the world in order to gain deeper understanding of the origin of the geopolitical environment in the relevant region of the world, geopolitical determination, geopolitical interests and geopolitical influences. The acquired amount of knowledge allows specialists to understand the peculiarities and traditions of each country's political behavior, objective needs and objective possibilities for the development of international relations, which allows to predict and model the development of international life. Graduates in this specialty can be engaged in information-analytical, advisory and expert activities on the peculiarities of the development of individual countries and regions in the sphere of international relations, public administration, in private or public organizations, as well as scientific-pedagogical or research activities.
5. Why does “Marketing” deserve your attention? Because a marketologist is a specialist of the 21st century! The current global economic environment is characterized by high competitiveness and significant risks of economic and political instability. To sustain and develop in such conditions is the goal of all business entities.
Today, marketing is an important, even defining element of any type of business activity, as well as government institutions and public organizations at all levels of their functioning, including international ones. The experience of the leading countries of the world has shown that even well-established production, the most state-of-the-art equipment, technologies and the latest know-how achievements will not produce the desired result without such a mechanism as a well-developed marketing programme developed by marketologists. The marketologist is the indispensable specialist who can answer the main question: what the consumer, the client, the user desires, therefore certified marketologists are in demand in various spheres and branches of economy and economic system. Marketing graduates can work as marketing, advertising and PR-technology specialists, specialists in logistics, planning analysts, directors of enterprises, heads of marketing, sales departments and other organizational units.
Until recently, the concept of "Management" was new and incomprehensible for many people in our country. However, it has become quite relevant with the development of market relations, the process of privatization of state property, expansion of commercial enterprises, foreign experience of management in the market economy. Therefore, management as a field of scence has become quite popular and widespread. It comprehensively studies the phenomenon of management, its methods and principles. At present, the profession of a manager is quite high in demand. Managers are the experts whom the success of a business organization depends on. They form the goals of the organization, provide its resources, plan and exercise control, make decisions and organize activities. The personality of the manager is the major factor in ensuring the effective development of the firm. All ambitious people with clear leadership qualities have chances of becoming good managers. Having chosen such a field of activity, it is important to make every effort to become one of the best.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that we have a unique tradition to celebrate "The Week of the Faculty" in the middle of April. During the week, teachers, students and faculty managers hold a variety of activities to share their joy with others. These include interesting thematic flash mobs, charity exhibitions of scientific and academic literature, sports competitions between teachers and students, role-playing games (meetings of international organizations), scientific conferences, translation activity parties, scientific debates on international relations, and a mini-football tournament “the Dean's Cup” beween students and teahers.
We are waiting for you at our faculty!!!
