The minor in European studies complements any major and gives students an international perspective, as well as a regional focus. Students’ skills are enhanced with advanced study of a European language, and students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. European studies advisors help students tailor their coursework to their interests and career goals.

Core Courses

Students must take two of the following:

• GEOG 202: Geography of Europe—an introduction to the physical, historical, linguistic, economic, religious, and political frameworks by which Europe might be understood as a distance region. Usually offered at least once a year.
• HIST 420/RL 407: Idea of Europe—a creative immersion in Europe’s historical traditions and contemporary cultures from perspectives of multiple disciplines and professors. The following fields have been represented in the past: art history, literature, geography, music, history, political science, classics, religious studies, anthropology, linguistics. Offered every spring term.

Electives

Students must take four elective courses.

The European Studies Program accepts a wide range of existing courses to satisfy this requirement, offered in many different departments on campus. Designed to assure some interdisciplinary breadth these are to include: two courses in the humanities, one of which is at least at the 400 level or substitution approved by your European studies advisor; and two courses in the social sciences, one of which is at least one at the 400 level; and at least one course outside of the Department of History department, or substitution approved by your European studies advisor.

NOTE: The minor also requires that at least three of the courses (including GEOG 202 and HIST 420) be outside the student’s major department.

Language Requirement

• BA students must take three years of college- level study of a European language other than English.
• For BS students majoring in a science, BArch or other students with majors outside the social sciences and the humanities, two years of college level study of a European language other than English are required.

Project Requirement

Students must complete a project, usually a research paper of 10-15 pages, on any topic pertaining to Europe. The project may be done in a student’s major (e.g., a case study in business; a seminar in history, political science, or literature), or it may be done in the context of HIST 420: Idea of Europe.