European Studies, B.A.
The European Studies program focuses on the study of Europe from the vantage points of several disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Because Europe is both a geographical place and an idea that changes throughout history, it has had different meanings at different times and in different places. The study of Europe thus requires an open, pluralistic, and interdisciplinary curriculum that takes a critical approach to the idea (or ideas) of Europe.
The program provides a multidisciplinary view of Europe as a whole and of its historical, political, and cultural formation and global implications and encounters with the non-European world. It also provides a focus on a specific area of European experience that cuts across traditional disciplinary and national boundaries. Participation in the UC Education Abroad Program in a European country is strongly recommended for all European Studies majors.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
Completion of two years of language (through the 2C level or equivalent) in French, German, classical Greek, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.
Twelve courses:
| A. Select two of the following: | |
| Topics in Europe in the Middle Ages | |
| Topics in Historical Foundations (1500-1800) | |
| Historical Foundations: Europe and the Foundations of the Modern World | |
| Issues and Institutions in Modern Europe (1789-1945) | |
| Europe's Futures: 1755-Present | |
| What is the Origin of Language? | |
| Topics in Contemporary Europe (1945 – Today) | |
| B. Select two additional courses from A (above) or from the following: | |
| Problems in History: Europe | |
| Topics in French Culture and the Modern World | |
| Topics in Italian Culture | |
| Topics in Russian Culture | |
| Fundamentals of French 1 | |
or FRENCH 1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of French |
or FRENCH 1BCSP | Accelerated Fundamentals of French for Spanish Speakers |
or FRENCH S1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of French |
| Fundamentals of German 1 | |
or GERMAN 1BC | Intensive German Fundamentals |
or GERMAN S1BC | Fundamentals of German |
| Fundamentals of Italian 1 | |
or ITALIAN 1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of Italian |
| Accelerated Fundamentals of Italian for Spanish Speakers | |
| Fundamentals of Russian 1 | |
or RUSSIAN 1BC | Intensive Russian Fundamentals |
| C. Select two of the following: 1 | |
| Topics in European Literatures and Visual Cultures | |
| Topics in European Identities: Race, Nation, Religion, Migration | |
| Topics in European Thought, Culture, and Society | |
| D. Select three of the following: | |
| One course from C (above) | |
| Topics in Early European History and Culture: Pre-1789 | |
| Topics in Modern European History and Culture: Post-1789 | |
| Topics in French Literature and Culture | |
| German Literature and Culture in Translation | |
| Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | |
| Topics in Russian Literature | |
| E. Complete upper-division writing requirement with one of the following: | |
| Topics in European Culture and Society | |
| Literature and Society | |
| Topics in German Literature, Culture, and Society | |
| Writing About Russian Literature | |
| F. Select three additional upper-division courses in European Studies, French, German, Italian, and/or Russian. Upper-division courses with relevant topics from other programs may be substituted with the approval of the advisor of the major. | |
- 1
Cannot be the same language used to satisfy the School of Humanities language requirement.
Residence Requirement for the Major: At least five upper-division courses required for the major must be completed successfully at UCI.
Optional Specializations
The following specializations are available to students in the major. Courses taken for specialization requirements may double count as electives taken for Areas B, D, and E above.
Italian Studies
| A. Select four courses from the following: 2 | |
| Intermediate Italian | |
| Topics in Italian Culture | |
| Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | |
- 2
Two courses must be upper-division courses. ITALIAN 50 and ITALIAN 150 can be repeated for credit when course topic titles change.
Russian Studies
| A. Select four courses from the following: 2 | |
| Intermediate Russian | |
| Topics in Russian Culture | |
| Topics in Russian Literature | |
| Writing About Russian Literature | |
- 2
Two courses must be upper-division courses. RUSSIAN 50 and RUSSIAN 150 can be repeated for credit when course topic titles change.
A degree in European Studies prepares its graduates to enter advanced degree programs in international business, history, law, political science, and cultural studies. The strong academic skills and professional orientation acquired by European Studies majors are necessary to pursue successful careers in such fields as international banking, law, journalism, management, public relations, publishing, and government service, as well as social justice and non-governmental organization (NGO) work both in the United States and abroad. Humanities graduates, in general, learn to express ideas clearly, do independent research, and think analytically and imaginatively—the required tools for success beyond the undergraduate career.