Which Schools Have the Best European Studies Programs?
Do you enjoy learning about the various cultures and languages of Europe? Are you interested in ancient civilizations and the stories that played out between nations? If so, consider pursing a degree program in European studies. Schools offering Culture & Media Studies degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Degrees Could I Get in European Studies?
Degree programs are available at the bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels. Some schools offer programs specifically in European studies, while others offer courses in the discipline through their history or language departments. Bachelor's degree programs commonly take four years to complete, while graduate programs can be finished in 2-6 years. Most of the time, these degrees are not offered online. The following are a few of the top European studies programs.
Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Harvard University was ranked #1 for European studies by U.S. News and World Report in 2009. Harvard offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate degree programs in European languages and cultures. At the baccalaureate level, you could study Slavic, Germanic or Romance languages and cultures. Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are available in the areas of Germanic, Romance and Celtic languages and cultures.
In addition, the Minda de Gunzburg center for European Studies at Harvard publishes two peer-reviewed journals: French Politics, Culture and Society and German Politics & Society, which offer opportunities to learn about academic publishing in this field. The center also hosts visiting scholars and study groups that focus on topics such as Islam in the West, Jews in modern Europe, gender and politics, reform in European education and capitalism. If you're interested in travelling abroad to conduct research or undertake an internship, you can apply for grants and fellowships through the center to fund your activities as either a graduate or an undergraduate student.
The University of California - Berkeley
U.S. News ranked this West Coast university #1 in European studies along with Harvard. While U.C. Berkeley does not offer one unified European studies program, it offers a number of majors and courses in the history, language and cultures of various European countries. The Institute for European Studies provides you with an opportunity to get involved in numerous programs to further your studies. Examples include French, Finnish, Spanish and Portuguese studies programs in which you'll be able to attend lectures and other events to augment your education in any given area. The institute also has numerous ongoing research projects in which you could participate, covering topics such as transit in Germany, European food safety regulation and international finance.
Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
Yale was ranked as the #3 school for European studies by U.S. News in 2009. Like Berkeley, it does not have one European studies department but offers many options. The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offers an undergraduate major in Russian. You'll study both literature and culture in this program and have the option of combining your major with comparative studies from other departments. You can also specialize in Slavic or Russian linguistics.
The European Studies Council at Yale administers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in European and Russian studies. In this program, you'll choose an area of focus - either thematic or national - in which to apply your studies. Areas of specialization include Baltic studies, the European Union, modern Britain and Hellenic studies, to name a few.
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Russian literature and culture is also available, as is a Ph.D. in Medieval Slavic literature and philology. For either Ph.D. emphasis, you'll have to have competence in Russian as well as in either French or German and have a basic knowledge of Russian history.
Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton's undergraduate program in European Cultural Studies, ranked #4 by U.S. News in 2009, has been around since 1975. In addition to teaching you about European history, this program aims to help you improve your cultural interpretation ability. Topics of study might include the intellectual controversies in the 1600-1700s, alternate histories of the Enlightenment, psychoanalysis in European culture and film, contemporary European cinema or 20th century Eastern European literature and politics. If you choose to major in this area, you'll be required to present a thesis.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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