Faculty of Arts

Central and East European Studies Program

Students will gain an understanding of this crucial part of Europe through interdisciplinary study of the region's history, politics, languages, literatures and cultures. Faculty from areas of study across the university train a new generation of specialists in the cultures and societies of Central and Eastern Europe and their global relevance and impact.

Our faculty and staff
Budapest, Hungary skyline at night.

Department statement

Please read the statement from the Department of German and Slavic Studies and the Central and East European Studies Program at the University of Manitoba (March 3, 2022).

Statement against Russia's invasion of Ukraine

A Statement by the Department of German and Slavic Studies and the Program in Central and East European Studies at the University of Manitoba (March 3, 2022)

The Department of German and Slavic Studies and the Program in Central and Eastern European Studies at the University of Manitoba strongly condemn the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, 5:00 a.m. Kyiv time, Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine has started the worst security and humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War Two. This assault causes suffering, devastation, and damage to the people and cultural heritage of Ukraine. All the programs of our department (Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, German, and Hungarian) and the multi-disciplinary Program in Central and East European Studies stand united with Ukraine and its people in these perilous times. As scholars and educators, we reject President Putin’s justifications of this war and its misrepresentation as a “special military operation.” We declare our support for all those in Ukraine and beyond who are suffering because of this invasion. We stand together with the people of Ukraine, our students, partners, and colleagues from all ethnic backgrounds who are in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, and around the world who oppose this war. The Department of German and Slavic Studies expresses solidarity with our partner institutions in Ukraine:  Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, and the Lviv Polytechnic National University. If you feel the direct impact of the war (especially international students from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, who are enrolled in the courses taught by our Department) and need assistance, please let us know at: german_slavic@umanitoba.ca

News and events

Public talks, conferences, publications and more regularly showcase research, history and current events from the region.

The Central and East European Program Lecture Series

Local, national and international experts present academic and community roundtables, book launches, graduate student presentations and more in this annual program sponsored by the CEES Program and the Department of German and Slavic Studies.

 

  • Framing the Immigrant Experience: A Photographic Exploration of the Life of Mary Panaro in 1920s Winnipeg

    Magdalena Blackmore, German and Slavic Studies, UM

    Friday, December 5, 2025
    2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
    324 Elizabeth Dafoe Library
    Coffee & pastries served

    Explore the lives of Polish immigrants in Canada during the 1920s and 1930s through the photographic album of Mary Panaro. Examine how Panaro, a Polish immigrant woman in Winnipeg, used photography to shape and share her personal and professional identity. Her album offers a powerful expression of individual agency and provides a family-centered perspective that enriches our understanding of immigrant experiences within the broader historical context.

    Moderator: Dr. Elena Baraban, Professor, Department of German and Slavic Studies, University of Manitoba

    Sponsored by: Department of German and Slavic Studies, Central and East European Studies Program (University of Manitoba, Canada)

    For more information about the event, please contact german_slavic@umanitoba.ca. 

  • Sepia photo of woman sitting on a hilltop with her knees pulled up against her chest.

    Photo: Polish Canadian Museum and Archives

Programs of study

Study with us

Countries of the region include:

    • Austria
    • Belarus
    • Bosnia
    • Bulgaria
    • Croatia
    • Czechia
    • Estonia
    • Germany
    • Hungary
    • Latvia
    • Lithuania
    • Macendonia
    • Moldova
    • Montenegro
    • Poland
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Serbia
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Ukraine

Courses investigate topics such as:

    • state formation, democratization and economic reforms
    • totalitarianism, nationalism and military conflicts
    • social, political, cultural and religious history
    • the arts and contemporary society (literature, fine arts, architecture, gender, religions)
    • the role of language (identity and citizenship, maintenance, shift and endangerment)
    • security (terrorism, trafficking of women and children, organized crime syndicates)
    • demographic movement (displaced peoples, diasporic formations, refugees, guest workers)
    • education (rewriting of curricula, establishment of new institutions for higher learning)

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Student resources and opportunities

Career opportunities

The study of Central and Eastern Europe provides training for a wide range of professions that require skills in communication, interpretation and research. A first-hand understanding of an area, and fluency in one of its languages, can open doors to careers in industries such as:

  • business
  • academia
  • journalism
  • politics
  • commerce
  • education
  • travel
  • translation

Undergraduate research awards (URA)

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to work with our leading faculty researchers and gain valuable experience.

Learn more and apply for a UM URA

Financial aid and awards

The Central and East European Studies Program provides awards, scholarships and bursaries at all levels of study (usually administered by the Department of German and Slavic Studies). Students are also eligible for university fellowships and national awards. Further awards and scholarship opportunities might be found in conjunction to specific study and work abroad programs and travel courses.

You'll find awards in the UM-wide awards database, including the following:

  • Special Departmental Achievement Awards and Scholarships: For high achievement / promise in undergraduate courses in Central and East European Studies (administered by the Department of German and Slavic Studies).
  • C. E. L'Ami Prize in Slavic Studies: For demonstrating outstanding achievement in Slavic studies.
  • Anastasia Sawula Prize: For highest standing in Ukrainian I or another Slavic literature course.
  • Sam and Mary Szach Scholarship: For completion with good standing of at least one year in a Slavic studies program.

Study and work abroad

Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Ukraine — these are the exciting destinations where you can study abroad. The reasons for studying abroad vary, but students almost universally describe these experiences as life-changing.

Join a student group

  • German Students' Association (GSA)

    Through their various activities they promote an environment where students can feel free to practice and improve their language skills, meet other students with similar interests and above all, have fun!

    Follow GSA on Instagram

    Follow GSA on Facebook
     

  • Polish Student Association (PSA)

    PSA creates a student community that promotes Polish language and culture courses, offers an opportunity for Polish students to connect and hosts fun events to get students through the year.

    Follow PSA on Instagram

  • Russian Language Club (UMRLC)

    A club where students can practice and improve their language skills, meet other students with similar interests and organize events related to Russian language and culture.

    Follow UMRLC on Instagram

  • Ukrainian Students Association (UMUKRN)

    UMUKRN offers events and fun activities for students to connect, practice language skills and learn more about Ukrainian-Canadian culture.

    Follow UMUKRN on Instagram

    Follow UMUKRN on Facebook
     

Row of students wearing headphones, looking at laptops in the Language Centre.

Practice your skills at the Language Centre

As in all language departments, students have access to the Faculty of Arts Language Centre with language laboratories that are well stocked with a variety of recorded material (to help with learning through listening), language practice software, books, videos, games and programs designed specifically for certain courses that contain a lab component. Language tutors are also available.

Learn more and visit the Language Centre

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Contact us

At times, departmental support staff are working from home and can be reached via phone or email.

Central and East European Studies Program
328 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellor Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

CEES@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9516
Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm