A new program in Slavic and East European studies will introduce West Virginia University students to that regions unique history, culture and languages.

As an interdisciplinary major through the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the program will feature courses taught by faculty in the departments of history, foreign languages, economics, political science and sociology. Other offerings in religion studies, geography and geology may be added later.

Dr. Robert Blobaum, professor and outgoing chair of the WVU Department of History, will be the programs coordinator. Serving as associate coordinator will be Dr. Lisa DiBartolomeo, visiting assistant professor in the WVU Department of Foreign Languages who specializes in Slavic folklore and Eastern European cinema.

Majors will also have the opportunity to study abroad in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Estonia, Blobaum said. Russia is also under consideration.

Our goal is to train a new generation of scholars who have competence in the languages of the region,Blobaum said,and who are knowledgeable in the regions diverse histories, cultures, religions, political systems, societies and economies.

For more information, contact Blobaum at robert.blobaum@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2421, ext. 5241.