European Studies
B.A. Department of European Languages and Studies · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The European Studies program focuses on the study of Europe from the vantage points of several disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, such as history, art, cultural studies, and political science. Because Europe is both a geographical place and an idea that changes throughout history, it has had different meanings at different times and in different places. The study of Europe thus requires an open, pluralistic, and interdisciplinary curriculum that takes a critical approach to the idea (or ideas) of Europe.
The program provides a multidisciplinary view of Europe as a whole and of its historical, political, and cultural formation and global implications and encounters with the non-European world. It also provides a focus on specific areas area of European experience that cut across traditional disciplinary and national boundaries. Participation in the UC Education Abroad Program in a European country is strongly recommended for all European Studies majors.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
Completion of two years of language (through the 2C level or equivalent) in French, German, classical Greek, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.
13 courses (52 units) are required for the major.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Select two of the following: | ||
| EURO ST 9 | Topics in Europe in the Middle Ages | |
| EURO ST 10 | Topics in Historical Foundations (1500-1800) | |
| EURO ST S10 | Historical Foundations: Europe and the Foundations of the Modern World | |
| EURO ST 11 | Issues and Institutions in Modern Europe (1789-1945) | |
| EURO ST S11 | Europe's Futures: 1755-Present | |
| EURO ST 12 | What is the Origin of Language? | |
| EURO ST 13 | Topics in Contemporary Europe (1945 – Today) | |
| B. Select two additional courses from A (above) or from the following: | ||
| HISTORY 70B | Problems in History: Europe | |
| FRENCH 50 | Topics in French Culture and the Modern World | |
| ITALIAN 50 | Topics in Italian Culture | |
| RUSSIAN 50 | Topics in Russian Culture | |
| FRENCH 1C | Fundamentals of French 1 | |
| orFRENCH 1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of French | |
| orFRENCH 1BCSP | Accelerated Fundamentals of French for Spanish Speakers | |
| orFRENCH S1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of French | |
| GERMAN 1C | Fundamentals of German 1 | |
| orGERMAN 1BC | Intensive German Fundamentals | |
| orGERMAN S1BC | Fundamentals of German | |
| ITALIAN 1C | Fundamentals of Italian 1 | |
| orITALIAN 1BC | Intensive Fundamentals of Italian | |
| orITALIAN 1BCSP | Accelerated Fundamentals of Italian for Spanish Speakers | |
| RUSSIAN 1C | Fundamentals of Russian 1 | |
| orRUSSIAN 1BC | Intensive Russian Fundamentals | |
| C. Select two of the following: | ||
| EURO ST 100A | Topics in European Literatures and Visual Cultures | |
| EURO ST 100B | Topics in European Identities: Race, Nation, Religion, Migration | |
| EURO ST 100C | Topics in European Thought, Culture, and Society | |
| D. Select three of the following: | ||
| One course from C (above) | ||
| EURO ST 150 | Topics in European Culture and Society | |
| FRENCH 150 | Topics in French Literature and Culture | |
| GERMAN 150 | German Literature and Culture in Translation | |
| ITALIAN 150 | Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | |
| RUSSIAN 150 | Topics in Russian Literature | |
| E. Complete upper-division writing requirement with one of the following: | ||
| EURO ST 139W | Topics in European Culture and Society | |
| FRENCH 139W | Literature and Society | |
| F. Select three additional upper-division courses in European Studies, French, German, Italian, and/or Russian. Upper-division courses with relevant topics from other programs may be substituted with the approval of the advisor of the major. | ||
- Cannot be the same language used to satisfy the School of Humanities language requirement.
Residence Requirement for the Major: At least five upper-division courses required for the major must be completed successfully at UCI.
Optional Specializations
The following specializations are available to students in the major. Courses taken for specialization requirements may double count as electives taken for Areas B, D, and E above.
Italian Studies
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Select four courses from the following: | ||
| ITALIAN 2C | Intermediate Italian | |
| ITALIAN 50 | Topics in Italian Culture | |
| ITALIAN 150 | Topics in Italian Literature and Culture | |
- Two courses must be upper-division courses. ITALIAN 50 and ITALIAN 150 can be repeated for credit when course topic titles change.
Russian Studies
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Select four courses from the following: | ||
| RUSSIAN 2C | Intermediate Russian | |
| RUSSIAN 50 | Topics in Russian Culture | |
| RUSSIAN 150 | Topics in Russian Literature | |
- Two courses must be upper-division courses. RUSSIAN 50 and RUSSIAN 150 can be repeated for credit when course topic titles change.
Career Opportunities
The strong academic skills and professional orientation acquired by European Studies majors make it possible to pursue successful careers in such fields as international banking, law, journalism, management, public relations, publishing, and government service, as well as social justice and non-governmental organization (NGO) work both in the United States and abroad. Moreover, with its strong emphasis on developing critical skills in writing, speaking, and analysis, European Studies graduates learn to express ideas clearly, do independent research, and think analytically and imaginatively—the required tools for success beyond the undergraduate career. A degree in European Studies also prepares its graduates to enter advanced degree programs in international business, history, law, political science, and cultural studies.