The European Studies program focuses on the study of Europe from the vantage points of several disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, such as history, art, cultural studies, and political science. 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 specific areas area of European experience that cut 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:
EURO ST 9	Topics in Europe in the Middle Ages
EURO ST 10	Topics in Historical Foundations (1500-1800)
EURO ST S10	Historical Foundations: Europe and the Foundations of the Modern World
EURO ST 11	Issues and Institutions in Modern Europe (1789-1945)
EURO ST S11	Europe's Futures: 1755-Present
EURO ST 12	What is the Origin of Language?
EURO ST 13	Topics in Contemporary Europe (1945 – Today)
B. Select two additional courses from A (above) or from the following:
HISTORY 70B	Problems in History: Europe
FRENCH 50	Topics in French Culture and the Modern World
ITALIAN 50	Topics in Italian Culture
RUSSIAN 50	Topics in Russian Culture
FRENCH 1C	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
GERMAN 1C	Fundamentals of German 1
or GERMAN 1BC	Intensive German Fundamentals
or GERMAN S1BC	Fundamentals of German
ITALIAN 1C	Fundamentals of Italian 1
or ITALIAN 1BC	Intensive Fundamentals of Italian
or ITALIAN 1BCSP	Accelerated Fundamentals of Italian for Spanish Speakers
RUSSIAN 1C	Fundamentals of Russian 1
or RUSSIAN 1BC	Intensive Russian Fundamentals
C. Select two of the following: 1
EURO ST 100A	Topics in European Literatures and Visual Cultures
EURO ST 100B	Topics in European Identities: Race, Nation, Religion, Migration
EURO ST 100C	Topics in European Thought, Culture, and Society
D. Select three of the following:
One course from C (above)
EURO ST 150	Topics in European Culture and Society
FRENCH 150	Topics in French Literature and Culture
GERMAN 150	German Literature and Culture in Translation
ITALIAN 150	Topics in Italian Literature and Culture
RUSSIAN 150	Topics in Russian Literature
E. Complete upper-division writing requirement with one of the following:
EURO ST 139W	Topics in European Culture and Society
FRENCH 139W	Literature and Society
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
ITALIAN 2C	Intermediate Italian
ITALIAN 50	Topics in Italian Culture
ITALIAN 150	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
RUSSIAN 2C	Intermediate Russian
RUSSIAN 50	Topics in Russian Culture
RUSSIAN 150	Topics in 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.

The strong academic skills and professional orientation acquired by European Studies majors make it possible 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. Moreover, with its strong emphasis on developing critical skills in writing, speaking, and analysis, European Studies graduates learn to express ideas clearly, do independent research, and think analytically and imaginatively—the required tools for success beyond the undergraduate career. A degree in European Studies also prepares its graduates to enter advanced degree programs in international business, history, law, political science, and cultural studies.