European Studies BA

Overview

The European Studies major allows students to analyze the area or a subregion (e.g., Central and Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Europe, Scandinavia, Western Europe/European Union) from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective. The major seeks to ground students in broad international issues that they can then use to focus on particular concerns … For more content click the Read More button below. Study Abroad European Studies majors are highly encouraged to study abroad. Students can travel to all areas through a variety of programs with various lengths (summer or during the academic year). Students may partially fulfill the area studies elective requirement by participating in an International Institute Summer Travel Study program consisting of two courses in and on a particular region of the world. Contact the academic counselor for more information on available programs. More information about study abroad programs is available through the UCLA International Education Office by e-mail, in person at 1332 Murphy Hall, or by phone at 310-825-4995.

Study Abroad

European Studies majors are highly encouraged to study abroad. Students can travel to all areas through a variety of programs with various lengths (summer or during the academic year).

Students may partially fulfill the area studies elective requirement by participating in an International Institute Summer Travel Study program consisting of two courses in and on a particular region of the world. Contact the academic counselor for more information on available programs.

More information about study abroad programs is available through the UCLA International Education Office by e-mail, in person at 1332 Murphy Hall, or by phone at 310-825-4995.

Capstone Major

The European Studies major is a designated capstone major. Students must complete a capstone seminar or travel-abroad program in which they engage in an in-depth analysis of a specific region or a thematic subject that spans regions. Through conceiving and executing a project, students demonstrate their working knowledge of scholarly … For more content click the Read More button below.

The European Studies major is a designated capstone major. Students must complete a capstone seminar or travel-abroad program in which they engage in an in-depth analysis of a specific region or a thematic subject that spans regions. Through conceiving and executing a project, students demonstrate their working knowledge of scholarly discourse relative to a specialized topic. Student research, analytic, and writing skills are exhibited through their capstone work, along with their collaborative and oral communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

In-depth analysis of a specific region or a thematic subject that spans regions

Demonstrated critical understanding of issues relevant to a specific region or theme

Demonstrated skills, including research, analysis, and writing

Identification and analysis of appropriate sources, material evidence, and other forms of primary documents

Demonstrated proficiency at collaborative engagement with peers through constructive feedback on written drafts and oral presentations

Demonstrated proficiency at using peer feedback to enhance student’s own work

Effective communication of complex ideas in a seminar setting

Demonstrated effective oral and written communication of research findings

Conception and execution of a project that identifies and engages with a specialized topic

10.

Working knowledge of scholarly discourse relative to a specialized topic

Entry to the Major

Admission

Pre-Major

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the European Studies pre-major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: two courses from sociocultural anthropology, cultural geography, contemporary world history, and world literature and two courses from comparative politics, economic geography, macroeconomics, microeconomics, and introductory sociology. Transfer students must apply for the major by the end of fall quarter of their junior year.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Entry to the Major Policies

Major Requirements

Preparation for the Major

Complete International and Area Studies 1, one area studies course, two international politics and markets courses, two international societies and cultures courses, and one area-related foreign language sequence through the intermediate level as follows:

Area Studies

Select one course from:

International Politics and Markets

Select two courses from the following. Only one course from Political Science 50 or 50R may be applied.

International Societies and Cultures

Select two courses from the following. Only one course from Comparative Literature 1D, 2DW, or 4DW may be applied.

Foreign Language

Complete one area-related foreign language sequence through the intermediate level such as the following examples. The language requirement can also be fulfilled in part or in total by taking a placement examination given through the appropriate language department.

The Major

Complete one capstone seminar and 11 upper-division courses divided among area studies and international themes as follows:

Area Studies

Select seven courses from the humanities and arts and social sciences groups as follows:

Humanities and Arts Group 1

Select three courses from:

Social Sciences Group 1

Select three courses from:

Additional Elective

Substitutions

The area studies electives listed in groups 1 and 2 focus on contemporary issues of that region after 1750. Students may substitute a maximum of three upper-division courses with focus on earlier historical aspects of the region or on diasporas with origins related to the region toward the area studies electives as long the distribution between humanities and arts and social sciences is maintained. Courses may be selected from the following lists:

Humanities and Arts Group 2

Social Sciences Group 2

International Themes

Select four courses from international politics and markets and international societies and cultures as follows:

International Politics and Markets

Select two courses from:

International Societies and Cultures

Select two courses from:

Capstone

Honors Program

The honors program is designed to offer highly motivated majors the opportunity to design and conduct their own independent research under the guidance of a faculty adviser and consists of a three-term directed-study series of courses culminating in an honors thesis.

Policies

Preparation for the Major Policies

The Major Policies

Honors Program

Admission

To enter the honors program, students must (1) have completed all preparation for the major requirements with a minimum 3.5 grade-point average in those courses, (2) have a 3.5 grade-point average in all upper-division coursework for the major, (3) obtain agreement from a faculty member to supervise their honors thesis, and (4) formally submit an application to the honors program. Application should normally be made during the junior year so as to best plan for completion of the honors thesis during the senior year. Contact the academic counselor for more details about the application, thesis requirements, and guidelines regarding the selection of a faculty thesis adviser.

Requirements

Honors are awarded to students who (1) complete all requirements for the major with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in upper-division courses required for the major, (2) successfully complete courses 198A, 198B, and 198C, and (3) produce an honors thesis (approximately 35 to 50 pages) determined to be of honors quality by a committee of two faculty members—the chair of International and Area Studies and the faculty adviser of the student.

Highest honors are awarded to students who (1) complete all requirements for the major with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or better in upper-division courses required for the major, (2) successfully complete courses 198A, 198B, and 198C, and (3) produce an exceptional honors thesis (approximately 35 to 50 pages) determined to be of highest honors quality by a committee of two faculty members—the chair of International and Area Studies and the faculty adviser of the student.

Honors and highest honors are recorded on the final transcript and diploma after students successfully complete the program.