Dr. Alexei Yurchak

Professor

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Biography

Alexei Yurchak is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, and an Affiliate Faculty member in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. He received his Ph.D. in cultural linguistic anthropology from Duke University in 1997. His research interests encompass the political anthropology surrounding post-communist transformations in Eastern Europe and particularly in post-Soviet Russia. Yurchak is particularly focused on the interplay between language and various forms of power, exploring how ideologies are articulated through language. He examines the cultural shifts resulting from the collapse of Soviet ideology, analyzing the emergence of new identities in the post-socialist context. Yurchak has authored several influential publications, including his award-winning book 'Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More,’ which deals with the complexities and paradoxes of Soviet socialism. His extensive body of work includes articles and papers that delve into topics such as political philosophy, discourse analysis, and visual anthropology, establishing him as a prominent figure in contemporary anthropological debates regarding communism and its legacies in today's world.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.