Undergraduate Program

• Course Code: 01:360:301
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 3

The European Union is one of the most successful supranational policy experiments in modern times, having an impact on the daily lives of close to five hundred million people. This complex experiment in international cooperation - a fully functioning political system - is also a daunting analytical challenge. Making use of different assumptions and types of evidence, we will examine how major European powers pooled strategic assets to overcome age-old rivalries, by which mechanisms they sought to foster peace and prosperity, and how a sense of European togetherness eventually emerged to reshape national cultures or accelerate democratization pathways. However, at the same time the European Union is increasingly understood to be the definition of “Europe” and throughout the class we will discuss what countries are included or excluded from the European Union, and the political and historical reasons for that inclusion or exclusion. Finally, by reading about and discussing European current events, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying frameworks of the European Union, both legal and political, that shape contemporary Europe.

• Course Code: 01:360:320
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring
• Credits: 3
• SAS Core Certified: CCO

Welcome to citizenship in the 21st century! You’re inheriting an unaffordable health care system that leaves millions uninsured, a mounting climate crisis, failing schools, a fractured social safety net, an aging population, high unemployment, and growing deficits. What can we learn from studying the approaches to these problems taken by the economically advanced democracies of the European Union? On the left, many believe Europe offers successful models of how to balance capitalism and the pursuit of economic growth with a greater commitment to social justice and sustainable development. On the right, by contrast, many warn of the dangers of importing these ideas, arguing that European social democracies suffer under high taxes, excessive state control of the economy, and economic stagnation. What’s fact and what’s fiction? And, what are the lessons for the United States in the 21st century?

Students will develop a historically informed, contextual, and interdisciplinary understanding of modern Europe.
The major and minor enable students to take an interdisciplinary approach with courses from history, geography, social sciences, and language and literature departments. The program breaks with the traditional distinctions between the study of eastern and western Europe, enabling students to explore the broader Europe and its role in the global context. With their adviser, Majors will develop an individual concentration. All Majors will demonstrate proficiency in at least one European language other than English. All students are required to complete an approved study abroad program in Europe of at least six weeks.

As a Rutgers student, you can take a first- or second-year *Czech language course* offered by Indiana University by being "beamed into" a classroom. This is a new opportunity for Rutgers students, made possible by CourseShare. This framework allows students to register for shared courses at the same time and in the same manner as regular courses. Grades and credits are reported on the student’s home university transcript. There are no additional fees associated with shared courses, making them even more attractive to students. If you are interested in this opportunity, please *contact as soon as possible* Esther Ham at Indiana University (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Tom Stephens at Rutgers (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Major Requirements

Core Courses: 15 credits

01:510:101-102 Ancient/Medieval Europe; Europe in the Global Age

01:360:301 The Construction of Contemporary Europe

01:450:332 Newly Independent States and Eastern Europe OR 01:450:334 Western Europe (if neither is offered in a given AY, speak to the program director for alternatives)

01:360:401 The Idea of Europe

Focus: 12 credits

With their advisor, students will develop an individual concentration, which they will explore in four courses. At least two courses must be at the 300 level or above.

Electives: 6 credits (May include up to 3 credits for language instruction)

Non-English Language Requirement: All majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one European language other than English. The minimum requirement is fulfilled by demonstrated proficiency equivalent to four semesters of college level study with a GPA of B or better. A standardized test can be used to satisfy this requirement.

Study Abroad Requirement: All students are required to complete an approved study abroad program in Europe of at least six weeks. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester or junior year abroad. Under special circumstances this requirement may be waived.

Declaring Major

Students interested in declaring a major in European Studies can declare the major online here. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

For further information about the undergraduate major, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Minor Requirements

Students must complete 15 credits with a grade of C or better in the following courses, OR they may work out a program of their own with the director of European Studies:

01:510:101-102 Ancient/Medieval Europe; Europe in the Global Age (6 cr)

01:360:301 The Construction of Contemporary Europe (3 cr)

01:450:332 Newly Independent States and Eastern Europe OR 01:450:334 Western Europe (if neither is offered in a given AY, speak to the program director for alternatives)

01:360:401 The Idea of Europe (3 cr) or an elective course approved by an advisor.

And one elective course focusing on Europe, to be approved by the director of the European Studies program (3 cr)

There is no non-English language or study abroad requirement for the minor.

For further information about the undergraduate minor, contact the Administrative Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Program in European Studies provides students the opportunity to study the historical and transformations of Europe’s peoples, politics, economies, cultures and boundaries. European Studies offers an undergraduate major and minor, which enable students to take an interdisciplinary approach, with courses from history, geography, social sciences and language and literature departments. The program breaks with the traditional distinctions between the study of eastern and western Europe, enabling students to explore the broader Europe and its role in the global context. While the focus of the program is on modern (post-1700) Europe, students may choose to develop a concentration on earlier periods of European history.