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European Studies (EuSt) Concentration

If you are interested in an interdisciplinary perspective on the cultures, history, politics, and economics of modern Europe (1750 to the present), you may want to choose this concentration. Courses can be taken in a wide range of social science and humanities departments at Washington University. We offer advanced coursework in most major European languages (including French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish) as well as study abroad opportunities in all these languages.

Major

For a major in IAS with a European Studies concentration, you are required to complete the following:

  • IAS 200 Introduction to International Studies. See course description below. (1 credit)
  • IAS 207 Crossing Borders. See course description below. (3 credits)
  • IAS 344 Introduction to European Studies.  See course description below. (3 credits)
  • A world-area focused course outside of the EuSt concentration. (3 credits)
  • 18 credits of advanced coursework with European content, including a minimum of 3 credits each from at least three of the following categories: 1) social science, 2) history, 3) literature, 4) art history, film, music, drama. At least 3 of those 18 credits must include a 400 level course.
  • No more than 6 credits may be from a semester of study abroad (9 credits from a year of study abroad) (400 level credits must be earned on campus or in WU courses taught abroad).
  • For those who do not study abroad, an additional 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level is required.
  • No more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research or internships, excluding the honors thesis.
  • The 18 - 21 advanced credits must be unique to the IAS major.
  • If your prime major is IAS, you must participate in a capstone experience. This may take the form of an honors thesis, a senior project, or a specially designated 400 level course. For more details, see Senior Capstone Experience.
  • Total is a minimum of 28 graded credits, plus 4 semesters of a European language (or its equivalent - see the Language Requirement below).

Minor

For a minor in European Studies/International and Area Studies, you are required to complete the following:

  • 18 graded credits plus 4 semesters of a European language (or its equivalent - see the Language Requirement below).
  • IAS 207 Crossing Borders. See course description below. (3 credits)
  • IAS 344 Introduction to European Studies. See course description below. (3 credits)
  • At least 12 credits of advanced (300+) coursework drawn from at least two different departments, all focused on Europe since 1750, as determined in consultation with the advisor.
  • No more than 3 credits may be from independent study or research.
  • No more than 3 credits may be from a semester of study abroad (6 credits from a year of study abroad).
  • All advanced credits must be unique to the IAS minor (i.e. not counted to any other major or minor).

Language Requirement

All majors and minors must satisfy a foreign language requirement. You may satisfy this requirement with the successful completion of the first four semesters of language instruction in the language program of choice (other than English) or the equivalent. Entering students wishing to prove equivalency must take the Washington University Placement test for the language in question or score a 5 on the AP test. Students claiming the status of native speakers may be exempted from the placement test by the undergraduate director or by the section coordinator of the language program in question. We encourage students interested in IAS who have achieved a high level of language competency before entering Washington University to continue their language study, either in the same language or in an additional language, but it is assumed that you will satisfy your requirement by demonstrating competence in at least one language through the fourth semester.

Introductory Courses

Introduction to International and Area Studies L97 IAS 200
An introduction to some of the key themes and approaches within international and area studies, with a focus on the interplay of global and local forces. The course will feature case studies from diverse world regions given by guest lecturers from Int'l and Area Studies faculty, as well as a discussion of broader trends in the contemporary world system. Required of majors in International and Area Studies in the IS and EuSt concentrations, optional for others. Only offered pass/fail or credit/no credit. 1 credit.

Crossing Borders L97 IAS 207
This course is an introduction to basic theoretical and critical issues of International and Area Studies. the course will cover three influential books (Orientalism by Edward Said, Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson, and The Clash of Civilizations by Samuel Huntington), as well as four major topice in IAS (migration, globalization, social science methodologies and the idea of culture). Students are expected to develop a critical vocabulary and a theoretical basis with which to address international issues across different world regions and academic disciplines. Since this course is meant as an introduction to all IAS majors and minors, students are encouraged to take it as early as possible and no later than Fall of their junior year. Mandatory for all IAS majors and minors, and must be taken for credit. 3 credits.

Introduction to European Studies L97 IAS 344
This course provides an introduction to the study of contemporary Europe through an historical examination of the traditions which have shaped European civilization and continue to define it today. Most of the semester will look at legal traditions, economic traditions, religious traditions, political traditions, and military traditions through the study of original documents and excerpts from major works. Although the exploration of these traditions will sometimes go back to the ancient work, most of the semester will focus on modern Europe since 1750. After the study of these traditions, the final portion of the semester will consider contemporary Europe since 1945, considering such subjects as the Cold War and the European Union. 3 credits.