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European Studies

European Studies

European Studies

Director

Petra Liedke Konow

Faculty

The faculty of the European Studies major are those professors in various departments of the University who regularly offer courses that are directly concerned with issues relating to Europe, or to specific countries or traditions of Europe, past and present.

Description

The European Studies major is an integrated, interdisciplinary area-studies program. Students choose from a range of courses taught in different departments, selecting a focus that reflects their individual interests (e.g., German or Irish Studies). Since the program provides the student with competence in a European language, sufficient background to grasp the complexity of European history and civilization as a whole, as well as a specialization in one field of study, it is a solid preparation for graduate school or a career in government or private enterprise. A semester of study in Europe is strongly recommended but is not mandatory.

Objectives

  • Intermediate proficiency in one European language (equivalent to level 2/3 on the scale of five levels developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language). LMU offers French, German, Italian, and Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures as well as Greek, Latin, and Modern Greek in the Department of Classics and Archaeology.
  • Knowledge of the historical, intellectual, political, and religious contexts of Europe, past and present.
  • Knowledge of the art and literary works of Europeans, past and present.

European Studies Student Learning Outcomes

Students should demonstrate:

  • Linguistic proficiency in one European language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Latin, and/or Modern Greek);
  • Knowledge and understanding of:

- the history of Europe (History)

- the history of ideas in Europe (Philosophy)

- the politics of Europe (Political Science)

- the religious contexts of Europe (Theological Studies)

  • Familiarity with cultural expressions of Europeans such as:

- European literature (Classics, English, European Studies, Foreign Literature in Translation, French, German, Italian, Spanish)

- European art history and creative arts (Art History, Film, Theatre Arts)

  • Reflection on/assessment of:

- reasons why the major in European Studies was chosen

- cultural competency (what they have learned)

- content of the courses selected for the European Studies major

- development and evolution in the European Studies major

- extracurricular activities connected with the European Studies major (study abroad experiences, program-related activities, work experience/internships).

Student Learning Outcomes will be assessed through a Senior Capstone Project (EURO 500), which consists of a portfolio during the second semester of the senior year. The portfolio is a collection of multiple samples usually compiled over time accompanied by a personal reflection essay, which would show that the student has met the objectives of the European Studies Program.