European Studies Minor

Interdisciplinary Minor

Europe’s historical importance is undeniable: Many of the ideas and inventions that have shaped our world originate in Europe—from capitalism and parliamentary democracy to the printing press, Christianity, the railroad, or industrialization. Studying Europe’s diverse past therefore is essential to understanding the world we live in.

Europe continues to play a central role in the globalized world of the twenty-first century: The European Union is a key actor on the political and economic world stage and an important stakeholder in topics of global concern, such as worldwide migration, environmental stewardship, or global security. Understanding Europe in its cultural, political, economic, and ethnic diversity is thus critical to shaping the future and developing solutions for such global challenges, as well as developing an insight into different cultures in their own right.

European Studies at Washington College provides an excellent complement to multiple majors, offering an interdisciplinary focus on the study of Europe through fields such as political science, foreign languages, history, and literature, as well as a semester (or winter/summer) of studying in Europe.

European Studies Minor Requirements

On This Page

1. Completion of two introductory courses, preferably taken during the first two years at the college
2. Study of a European language
3. By the middle of the final semester, students must provide evidence of a research-based paper on a topic relating to Europe, to be approved by the minor director. Students are free to use a paper written for one of the courses taken for the minor or their SCE to fulfill this requirement.
4. Completion of four upper-level (300 and 400) courses related to Europe, beyond the study of language.
5. Recommended: Study abroad for at least one semester (preferred) or in an approved short-term abroad program in Europe.

1. Completion of two introductory courses, preferably taken during the first two years at the college

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ANT 105	Introduction to Anthropology
ART 110	Intro to the History of Western Art
HIS 203	Modern World History I
or HIS 204	Modern World History II
or HIS 205	Early Origins of Western Civilization I
or HIS 206	Early Origins of Western Civilization II
POL 104	Introduction to World Politics
Students may substitute other introductory level courses that pertain to Europe with approval from the minor director.
Total Credits		8

2. Study of a European language

This can be achieved by fulfilling of the college-wide language requirement or beyond in French, German, or Spanish (or another European language abroad).

3. By the middle of the final semester, students must provide evidence of a research-based paper on a topic relating to Europe, to be approved by the minor director. Students are free to use a paper written for one of the courses taken for the minor or their SCE to fulfill this requirement.

4. Completion of four upper-level (300 and 400) courses related to Europe, beyond the study of language.

5. Recommended: Study abroad for at least one semester (preferred) or in an approved short-term abroad program in Europe.

The options for semester-long study include Washington College-approved programs in England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Spain.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select 4 European-Related Courses From Below ¹		16
ART 310	Art & Nature in Med & Early Modern Eur.
ART 312	Depicting Difference in Med&earl Mod Art
ART 318	Romanticism to Post-Impressionism
ART 320	20th Century Art
ENG 300	Global Middle Ages
ENG 302	Arthurian Literature
ENG 301	Chaucer
ENG 321	Romanticism
ENG 322	The Victorian Age
ENG 323	The 19th Century English Novel
ENG 330	The Rise of Modernism
ENG 332	Modern & Contemporary British Literature
ENG 333	James Joyce
ENG 334	The Irish Short Story
HIS 350	Empire and Papacy
HIS 351	Ancient Rome
HIS 352	Castles, Cloisters, Cathedrals, Mosques
HIS 354	Renaissance & Reformation
HIS 355	Women in Medieval Europe
HIS 360	Modern Germany
HIS 391	Russia and the Soviet Union
or HIS 392	Russia and the Soviet Union
HIS 466	Europe in Age of Revolution, 1789-1871
FRS/ILC 311	Contemporary France
GRS 317	German Cinema (English)
ILC 305	European Cinema
ILC 313	Berlin: Symphony of a Great City
ILC 315	Minorites & Migration in Germany
MUS 327	Music, Ritual and Early Christianity
POL 331	Enduring Topics Westrn Political Thought
POL 344	Comparative Government: Western Europe
Total Credits		24

¹: Other courses may be counted with approval of the minor director. In addition, several courses that count toward the minor are taught in the French, German, and Spanish languages (such as FRS 303/304: Intro to French Literature I and II, GRS 305: Introduction to German Literature, GRS 413: The Birth of Modern Germany, HPS 306: Cultures and Communities of the Spanish-Speaking World, etc.), Special Topics courses dealing with Europe also are frequently offered at Washington College, and may be counted toward the four-course requirement.

Catalogs & Handbooks