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Russian and East European Institute 
MA Essay Procedures and Requirements
REEI and the University Graduate School have strict guidelines for the
submission, defense, and acceptance of the MA essay. Students must comply
with the following guidelines and timeline when preparing to defend the
essay. A timeline for student requirements follows. Click here
for a list of essays defended to date.
Graduate Student Guidelines:
The REEI MA Essay is normally written in the spring of the second year of
graduate study while the student is enrolled in the R601 REEI Seminar course.
It may be based on a previous seminar paper completed in a disciplinary
course. The R601 course provides the student an opportunity for guidance
in revising a seminar paper and expanding its focus to meet the requirements
for the MA essay. Students are advised to take in their first year of study
at least one seminar course in which an extended research paper is required.
Requirements:
- The essay should not exceed 13,000 words (excluding footnotes, endnotes,
bibliography, and tabular material).
- It must be double spaced and have standard margins (refer to University
Graduate School Bulletin thesis guidelines).
- It must be interdisciplinary in scope.
- It must use sources in the language of concentration as a defining
element. The sources cannot be mere embellishment but must form part
of the foundation on which the argument of the essay rests.
Student Responsibilities:
At the beginning of the semester in which the essay will be written:
- Select a faculty advisor. The advisor can be the R601 instructor,
the instructor of the seminar course during which research was begun,
or another member of the REEI faculty qualified to supervise work on
the topic.
- Select two additional faculty members to read the paper and administer
the master's essay defense. These two additional faculty members should
represent disciplines or research approaches different from one another
and from that of the essay advisor.
(Students who encounter difficulty assembling a committee should ask the
director for assistance as early as possible.)
At least two months prior to intended graduation:
- Fill out an application for an advanced degree form in the University
Graduate School. The form will then be forwarded to the REEI secretary.
One month prior to intended defense date:
- The student must submit in writing to the REEI secretary the following
information:
- Title of essay (including necessary punctuation and diacritical
marks)
- Abstract of essay (not to exceed one page)
- Names of committee chair and committee members
- Intended date of defense
- Intended date of graduation
- Any subsequent changes to this information must be immediately
reported to the REEI secretary.
- After receiving the above information, the director will give final
approval of committee membership.
- Student should forward copies of the essay to all committee members
for comments as early as possible.
- Student should confirm that committee members are familiar with the
essay defense guidelines; deliver a copy of the guidelines to committee
members who need it.
- Incorporate suggested revisions. Resubmit paper to the committee if
significant changes are required. If difficulties are encountered in
resolving conflicts in revisions suggested by the three committee members,
discuss the matter with the director.
When ready to defend:
- Determine several possible days and times for the defense that will
be convenient for all committee members (1 ½ hours should be scheduled,
to allow ample time for discussion and evaluation).
- Communicate possible dates and times to the REEI secretary at least
fifteen days in advance of the defense. The secretary will reserve
a room for the defense. The committee chair may prefer to reserve a
room in his or her home department. If this is done, the REEI secretary
must be notified.
- Once the student submits the required information, the secretary will
prepare a memo for each committee member confirming the time and place
of the defense. The memo will include a list of courses taken by the
student and the title of the essay and abstract. The secretary will
also prepare four copies of a defense cover sheet for the student's
essay to be signed by all three committee members and the director after
the essay is accepted. The secretary will forward this paperwork to
the chair.
After successful completion of the oral defense:
- Provide the REEI secretary a final copy of the essay, unmarked and
unbound. The title page should have the following format:
(toward top-center of page)
ESSAY TITLE
(toward bottom center of page)
In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements of the Master of Arts
Degree,
(or enter which dual degree is appropriate: Master of Arts and Master
of Business Administration, Master of Arts and Master of Library Science,
Master of Arts and Master of Information Science, or Master of Arts
and Master of Public Affairs)
Russian and East European Institute,
(or enter which dual degree department is appropriate: and Kelley School
of Business, School of Library and Information Science, or School of
Public and Environmental Affairs)
Indiana University
Month and Year
Student name
- Students will be notified once the director has confirmed completion
of degree requirements. The REEI secretary will prepare graduation paperwork
and furnish student with a copy.
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