Curriculum in Contemporary European Studies
Introduction
The curriculum in contemporary European studies (EURO) is designed to provide students with
- A broad interdisciplinary understanding of modern Europe and the European Union
- A focused understanding of contemporary Europe from the perspective of a selected social science, and
- Advanced proficiency in a modern European language
Students are encouraged to combine the EURO major with a second major in a field such as political science, economics, or history; or an interdisciplinary field such as German or romance studies, comparative literature, chemistry, PPE (politics, philosophy, and economics), or sustainability studies. EURO majors are also encourage to study abroad and work closely with the advisor to obtain EURO credit while abroad. Through its unique combination of advanced coursework and language training, the curriculum provides the intellectual building blocks to study contemporary Europe through a sophisticated framework. Students completing the major will be well prepared for graduate or professional study of contemporary Europe and for a range of international careers.
Advising
In addition to the guidance provided by the primary academic advisors from the Academic Advising Program, EURO majors receive individualized advising at all stages of academic planning, including considering courses, internships, study abroad options, graduate programs, and career paths. Students interested in pursuing a major in contemporary European studies are encouraged to meet with the curriculum advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate career to design a comprehensive and efficient course plan — including considering the EURO-TAM B.A.-M.A. program option — and take full advantage of study abroad and other international education opportunities. Consult the curriculum website for further information on courses, funding, research, travel awards, campus resources, and the alumni network.
Advisory Board
Chad Bryant (History), John Coyle (Law), Joanneke Fleischauer (UNC Libraries), Liesbet Hooghe (Political Science), Serenella Iovino (Romance Studies), Arne Kalleberg (Sociology), Priscilla Layne (Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures), Gary Marks (Political Science), Susan Dabney Pennybacker (History), John Pickles (Geography), Dan Sherman (History).
Affiliated Faculty
Karen Auerbach (History), Cemil Aydin (History), Cameron Ballard-Rosa (Political Science), Andrea Bohlman (Music), Cristina Carrasco (Romance Studies), Amy Chambless (Romance Studies), Tori Ekstrand (Media and Journalism), Greg Gangi (Institute for the Environment), Banu Gökariksel (Geography), Karen Hagemann (History), Didem Havlioglu (Asian Studies), Dorothea Heitsch (Romance Studies), Evelyne Huber (Political Science), Konrad Jarausch (History), Robert Jenkins (Political Science), Lloyd Kramer (History), Richard Langston (Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures), Klaus Larres (History), Hassan Melehy (Romance Studies), Holger Moroff (Political Science), Susan Harbage Page (Women’s and Gender Studies), Tony Perucci (Communications), Valerie Pruvost (Romance Studies), Donald Reid (History), Courtney Rivard (English and Comparative Literature), Graeme Robertson (Political Science), Christina Rudosky (Romance Studies), Don Searing (Political Science), Louise Spieler (Media and Journalism), Gabriel Trop (Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures), Milada Vachudova (Political Science), Richard Vernon (Romance Studies), Ruth von Bernuth (Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures).
The Center for European Studies also hosts many visiting scholars from Europe.
EURO–Contemporary European Studies
Undergraduate-level Courses
EURO 89. First-Year Seminar: Special Topics. 3 Credits. Special topics course. Content will vary each semester.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FY-SEMINAR.
EURO 159. Europe and the World Since 1900. 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-PAST.
A detailed examination of selected topics in the field of Contemporary European Studies.
EURO 239. Introduction to European Government. 3 Credits. A treatment of the political institutions and processes of western European democracies, with special attention to France, Germany, England, and Italy. Honors version available.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-GLOBAL.
EURO 252. Politics, Society, and Culture in Modern Germany (1871-1945). 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-PAST or FC-POWER.
EURO 257. Politics, Society, and Culture in Postwar Germany. 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-PAST or FC-POWER.
EURO 259. Towards Emancipation? Women in Modern Europe. 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-PAST or FC-POWER.
EURO 270. Religion in Western Europe. 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-PAST.
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).
Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate-level Courses
Examines the politics and political economy of institutional change and policy making in the European Union in comparative perspective. Honors version available.
EURO 438. Democracy and International Institutions in an Undivided Europe. 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: RESEARCH.
EURO 442. International Political Economy. 3 Credits. Theories of international political economy, major trends in international economic relations, selected contemporary policy issues.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-GLOBAL.
EURO 460. International Economics. 3 Credits. An introduction to international trade, the balance of payments, and related issues of foreign economic policy.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-GLOBAL.
EURO 486. Exploration of Russian "Women's Prose" and Svetlana Alexievich (Nobel Prize in Literature 2015). 3 Credits. 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.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-AESTH or FC-GLOBAL.
A detailed examination of advanced special topics in Contemporary European Studies.
EURO 691H. Honors Thesis in European Studies. 3 Credits. Directed independent research leading to the preparation of an honors thesis.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: RESEARCH.
EURO 692H. Honors Thesis in European Studies. 3 Credits. Completion of the honors thesis and an oral examination of the thesis.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: RESEARCH.
Curriculum in Contemporary European Studies
FedEx Global Education Center Room 3210, CB# 3449
(919) 962-6765
