International Relations

Session I

Lauren Brennan, "Selective Speaking: Political and Cultural Restructuring of Language Hierarchies in Georgia"

In Georgia, language functions as more than a means of communication; it is a marker of identity, politics, and culture. This thesis examines how the hierarchy of languages in Georgia has evolved over the last three decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union and amid shifts in the contemporary Georgian political landscape. Focusing on Georgian, Russian, and English, the research uses a matched-guise methodology to examine how the use and public reactions to varying languages have changed over time, in part due to ongoing political and cultural transformation in Georgia. As an interdisciplinary study, the project encompasses themes from linguistics, political science, and psychology, while situating its analysis within the historical legacy of the Soviet Union. The research offers a nuanced understanding of how the Georgian linguistic identity is changing within the younger generations, thus solidifying why language policy is an enduring challenge and topic within Georgia. 

Student Major(s): Government and Global Studies -  Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Advisor: Dr. Dan Maliniak

Sadie Wallander, "How Intellect Pierced the Impenetrable Wall: Educational Exchange as Citizen Diplomacy in the Cold War"

Much scholarly literature on the Cold War assumes that the Iron Curtain was impervious to the rest of the world’s culture, allowing only for the exception of diplomacy efforts between state leaders.  However, upon further historical inspection, it becomes clear that citizen diplomacy efforts between the United States and the Soviet Union were incredibly active during the era of conflict. Thousands of citizens traveled between the two superpowers, absorbing the culture of a new environment and influencing the political climate in their home state. One implementation of citizen diplomacy was the creation of educational exchange programs, primarily facilitated through undergraduate and graduate schools to swap Soviet and American students for a limited period of time. Based on thorough research of these students’ experiences and the political and cultural outcomes of these programs, this paper asserts that educational exchange programs between the United States and the Soviet Union played a significant role in reducing cultural enmity and demonstrated successful citizen diplomacy efforts. The research for this paper was conducted through an extensive review of existing historical analyses and academic studies, accessed primarily through online databases. The source material includes studies written by American, Russian, and other international authors, and encompasses diverse historical accounts of educational exchange programs. This research is significant due to the international conflict that persists between Russia and the United States, as well as between their respective allies. Understanding the most impactful diplomacy implementation strategies, such as educational exchange, can ease tension, prevent violence, and maintain a sense of trust and security between states.

Student Major(s): Government

Advisor: Dr. Marcus Holmes

Video Presentations