European Thought and Culture
M.A. (4+1) Department of European Languages and Studies · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
The M.A. in European Thought and Culture draws on expertise from faculty in the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences in order to take an interdisciplinary approach to this area of study. The degree provides students with a rigorous course of study in the foundational philosophical texts and cultural products in literature and the arts produced in Europe from the Middle Ages to the present, locating them in their historical contexts.
Students may enter the M.A. program from two different tracks: the 4+1 program for current UCI undergraduates and the stand-alone M.A. track for students from outside UCI.
Admission
Admissions eligibility for the M.A. program (4+1 and stand-alone tracks) are as follows:
- Completed graduate application
- Official transcript
- Two letters of recommendation from instructors in a related field
- Writing sample
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Cumulative 3.3 GPA in major
- Completion of one European language other than English. See language requirement.
Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis for the fall quarter of the following academic year. Currently registered UCI undergraduate students in their final year of study may apply for the 4+1 track, which will allow them to begin coursework for the M.A. in their last year of undergraduate study.
Requirements
Course Requirement
All M.A. students must complete a total of nine courses (36 units) for the degree:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Complete: | ||
| EURO ST 200A | Core Seminar I: Foundations of European Thought and Culture | |
| EURO ST 200B | Core Seminar II: Theorizing Periods and Movements in European Thought and Culture | |
| EURO ST 200C | Core Seminar III: European Thought and Culture Beyond Europe | |
| EURO ST 201 | Topics in European Studies (four courses) | |
| EURO ST 299 | Independent Research (two courses) | |
Language Requirement
Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge in one European language other than English. For all students, this prerequisite requirement is expected to be completed by the time they receive their B.A. through completion of two years of a European language (2C level or equivalent).
Degree Conferral
All M.A. students must complete one of the following options as their degree capstone:
Plan I – Thesis
The thesis, approximately 25 pages in length, is a piece of independent research reviewed and approved by the faculty advisor and thesis committee.
Plan II – Comprehensive Exam
In this examination, students will have a 48-hour period to answer and submit a total of three essays; one 10-page essay on a specialized topic of research, and two five-page essays related to topics covered throughout degree coursework.
Time to Degree
Students are expected to complete all degree requirements and the Master’s thesis/comprehensive exam within one year (three quarters). Maximum time to degree is two years.