The minor in European studies offers students a wide variety of ways in
which they can gain recognition for learning about a diverse, fascinating, and
important part of our world.
Because a great many of our own institutions and customs can easily be
traced either to Britain
or the European continent, learning about these areas can serve as an excellent
way of understanding much of the background to American history, society, and
culture.
Such study can help us to gain new perspectives on ourselves in other
ways too, by introducing us to people who have often gazed at the world through
lenses quite different from the ones through which we look.
Many fields, from education and the arts to government, business, and
scientific research, have increasing interactions with European countries.
Because of these interactions and because of the wide range of courses and
research options offered, this minor provides an added opportunity to prepare
for careers in a variety of fields.
Aside from accumulating 18 credits from among the offerings listed under Courses, the only requirement is that students take at least two
semesters of language courses in a single European language beyond the
elementary level. Whether one is particularly interested in literature,
history, government, religion, philosophy, or the fine arts, a serious student
of a foreign civilization needs to be able to engage with that civilization
through its language (or, in the case of Europe, one of its languages), not
just through the filter of the English language.
Otherwise, meeting requirements is a matter of individual decision, as
each student fills his or her plate by selecting from among a rich variety of classes.
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