Exploring European Identities
This innovative interdisciplinary programme combines humanities and social science perspectives to the study of Europe, both past and present. It aims to provide students with a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to European Studies that allows for specialization within a core discipline and promotes expertise in European languages, culture, history, and contemporary politics and society. The faculty for this interdisciplinary programme is drawn from several Schools and Departments, spanning two Colleges, the College of Arts and College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. Faculty members have research interests in such diverse areas as European identities (gender, minorities, national), youth cultures, literature, music and art in comparative perspective, Western philosophy, EU governance and policies, European citizenship and migration policies. Students who graduate from this programme will be equipped to pursue further study at the PhD level in an interdisciplinary or a single-discipline programme, or embark on careers in national and international organizations that focus on Europe.
Programme of Study
The programme includes a major research paper which may either concentrate on a single discipline or be interdisciplinary in its focus. In addition, students may choose to spend a semester at university in Europe for research and cultural immersion. The course requirements include two core courses. Research Methods is designed to introduce students to advanced research in European studies. European Identities is intended to familiarize students with historical and contemporary ideas of the ‘nation’ and of ‘Europe’, and relationships of these ideas to identity, from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students may select electives from other European Studies courses (e.g. Europe and the Discourse of Civilization;
European Integration and the EU) or courses that focus on Europe from other programmes.
All European Studies M.A. students will take 6 semester courses (3.0 credits), including:
a) Core courses
Team-taught courses on European Identities (EURO*6010) and Research Methods (EURO*6000)
b) Electives
2.0 credits will be chosen from a list of restricted electives, including:
EURO*6020: Myth, Fairy Tales and Modern European Identities
EURO*6030: Women and the Arts in Europe: Seeking Expression
EURO*6040: Europe and the Discourse of Civilization
EURO*6050: European integration and the EU
EURO*6070: Topics in Comparative European Culture I
EURO*6072: Topics in Comparative European Culture II
PHIL* 6140 and PHIL*6150: Continental Theory I and II
PHIL*6600: Social and Political Philosophy
HIST*6300 and HIST*6310: Topics in Modern Europe I and II
ECON*6370: Economic Development in Historical Perspective
Research paper
Students will also write a Research Paper, under the direction of a faculty member.
Study Abroad
It is strongly recommended that students spend a term studying abroad, in a country where their core language is spoken. This is of particular importance for students who have not made study abroad a part of their undergraduate program. While abroad, students will have the opportunity to develop language proficiency by taking language courses, take courses towards degree requirements or conduct research for their major project.
Funding
Students are guaranteed financial support through teaching assistantships and scholarships.
