Foundations of European Studies

Prerequisite Course

This first-year course serves as an introduction to European Studies. It is a core requirement for students wishing to major in European Studies, but it is also suitable for anyone seeking a broad understanding of European society and culture. The course examines the forces which have led to Europe becoming increasingly integrated (not the least being the sheer devastation of two world wars) as well as the subsequent tensions and objections to that process. We study the processes and structures of the specific institutions of the European Union and the Council of Europe as well as some of the major issues confronting the EU now. We will also look at some major European domestic concerns as well as divergent foreign policy issues between Europe and the US. The approach is multidisciplinary, embracing politics, economics, history, culture and religion.