CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN STUDIES (EURO)

This first-year seminar explores the rich and complex history of European identity, examining how cultural, political, and social influences have shaped the idea of Europe from ancient times to the present day. Starting with the pre-modern foundations laid by the Greek city-states and the Roman Empire, students will investigate the roots of European cultural heritage, including mythology, philosophy, and political institutions. We will explore the impact of the Age of Exploration, the Enlightenment, the Modern and Postmodern eras, focusing on how migrations, religious transformations, and the formation of nation-states contributed to a shared sense of self.

Special topics course. Content will vary each semester.

This course explores the modern empire from slavery and abolition, through Independence and the Cold War. Focusing on parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the British Isles, we will consider issues of race, gender, religion, wealth inequality, war, and anti-colonialism. Honors version available.

An overview of modern European history from the First World War to the present, covering major themes such as imperialism and decolonization; competing political ideologies; "hot" and "cold" wars; the Holocaust and Holocaust memory; gender and sexuality; migration and labor; race and religion; the European Union; local community-building; and efforts to redefine Europe and its place in the wider world.

This course explores political, social, and cultural history from 1900 to the present: the two world wars, the declining empire, the extension of parliamentary democracy, the new welfare state, and a deeply diverse racial, ethnic, and religious society where social and economic differences remain. Who is British?

A detailed examination of selected topics in the field of Contemporary European Studies.

Despite the appearance of complexity and randomness, politics is deeply structured in ways that can be researched and understood. This course has three objectives. First, it will provide students with essential nuts and bolts for further study in political science. Second, it introduces students who wish to study comparative politics and international organization to the substantive foundations of these fields. Third, and most generally, the course contributes to an understanding of global politics and varieties of democracy.

A treatment of the political institutions and processes of western European democracies, with special attention to France, Germany, England, and Italy. Honors version available.

This course explores the history of Modern Germany, by focusing on Imperial Germany, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich. We will study continuities and changes in politics, society, and culture and examine the lasting impact of World War I, World War II and the Holocaust.

This class explores the moral, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of international migration. It is discussion-based and tackles such thorny questions as: Do we have an obligation to let poor people into our rich country? What constitutes persecution? How do foreigners affect national identity? How should citizenship be allocated? Honors version available.

Three events shaped contemporary France: collaboration and resistance in occupied France; the Algerian War; and the political, cultural, and social movements in the late 1960s and 1970s. This class will examine these events, how they are remembered and given meaning, and their role in making the France we know today. Honors version available.

The interdisciplinary seminar will explore cultural, historical, and political issues of contemporary Germany and analyze German developments from the postwar period to the present. Readings and discussions in English.

This course examines and compares the situation of women in politics, the work force, society and family from the French Revolution to the new women's movement in the 1970s with a focus on Britain, France and Germany. One major theme is the history of the struggle for women's emancipation.

In this course, we will explore various topics related to the past and present status of religion in general, and of certain religions in particular, within three Western European countries: the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Honors version available.

The course familiarizes students with experimental research methods in political science, including laboratory experiments, field experiments, and survey experiments. Students will design and conduct an experimental research project on a research question about US or European politics.

The course focus on theories on fascism, national cultures of fascism (e.g. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Hungary) as well as selected topics which are essential to understand the attraction and functioning of fascist movements and regimes since 1918 in Europe (e.g. racism, war, culture, charismatic leadership).

Examines the politics and political economy of institutional change and policy making in the European Union in comparative perspective. Honors version available.

Explores the collapse of communist rule in 1989 and the reaction of international institutions to the challenges of democratization, economic transition, ethnic conflict, and European integration in an undivided Europe.

Theories of international political economy, major trends in international economic relations, selected contemporary policy issues.

Immigrant integration has been one of the most intense political issues in Western Europe in recent decades. The extent to which these immigrants have successfully integrated is a hot topic of debate across Europe, and there is no consensus about the best way to promote integration. This course explores these debates.

Political authority is changing around the world. Decision making has shifted down to state and local governments, such as Catalonia and Scotland, and up to international organizations such as the European Union and the World Health Organization. What does this mean for the future of the national state? Honors version available.

The course explores the development of Euro-Atlantic security institutions (NATO, EU) and compares security policy in the United States and Europe. Cases include policy toward the Balkans, Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine. Includes review of concepts of security and selected international relations approaches to international organizations. Honors version available.

An introduction to international trade, the balance of payments, and related issues of foreign economic policy.

An exploration of the period concept of modernism in European literature, with attention to central works in poetry, narrative, and drama, and including parallel developments in the visual arts.

Focuses on ethnic and political conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and efforts by the international community to end conflict and promote peace and reconstruction. Honors version available.

Using Alexievich as our beacon, we will explore the writers behind the term "Russian Women's Prose": Valeria Narbikova, Lyudmila Petrushevskaya, Tatyana Tolstaya, and Lyudmila Ulitskaya. The course will delve into gender identity and body politics as they manifest themselves in the literary texts of lasting aesthetic quality and social relevance. Taught in English; some readings in Russian for qualified students.

A detailed examination of advanced special topics in Contemporary European Studies.

In this course, students will learn to conduct close readings of a variety of media, ranging from essays, novels, and poems to films and a musical, which all depict diverse populations in the EU and various Member States, including Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Examining the specific topic of Diversity in the EU, this course will give students the theoretical tools and historical context to engage with intersecting issues such as race, gender and class, religion, disability, citizenship, and immigration. Readings and class discussions in English.

Directed independent research leading to the preparation of an honors thesis.

Completion of the honors thesis and an oral examination of the thesis.