European Studies

The European Studies major is designed to allow students to combine an interest in modern languages with an interdisciplinary exploration of culture and history.

Using demonstrated competence in French, German or Spanish as a foundation, students will undertake coursework in the humanities and social sciences in order to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complexities of a given European (culture/nation/region) and its place on the world stage. The major will be supervised by faculty drawn from the departments of Art History, French, Economics, German, Spanish, History, and Political Science.

Distinctive Features of the Major. The European Studies major is intentionally interdisciplinary. To complete this course of study, students will engage faculty and peers in several departments: modern languages, history, art, anthropology, philosophy, economics, and political science. This major is also attentive to both individual interests and disciplinary concerns. Students are encouraged not only to pursue their unique interest in each of these fields, but to become conscious of the methods and assumptions that differ from discipline to discipline. Finally, the European studies major integrates an off-campus semester into the student’s experience, affording opportunities to hone language skills, take courses within a European educational context, and benefit from immersion in a foreign culture.

Career Choices. Students pursuing a major in European studies develop a range of skills and sensibilities that are valuable assets in the worlds of business, arts, civil service, ministry, and education. Linguistic facility, historical understanding, and cultural sensitivity are invaluable, whether one’s interests lie in the field of international business, mission work, politics, or teaching.

Course Template. Students will complete one semester of 14-16 units in an overseas program determined by their foreign language proficiency and approved by their major advisor in consultation with the off-campus program office. This semester should include at least three courses that would count toward their major.