Related Concentration in European and Eurasian Studies

With their vast geography, population diversity, and history, Europe and Eurasia continue to play central roles in international politics, economics, and social and cultural trends.  The RELATED CONCENTRATION IN EUROPEAN & EURASIAN STUDIES is particularly appealing to pre-professional students who wish to broaden their international experience while minimizing language requirements.

The Related Concentration in European & Eurasian Studies, administered in collaboration with the Center for Russian and East European Studies, is designed to let students explore their interest in both the REES and ESC world areas so that it fits comfortably alongside their majors or minors. It appeals particularly to pre-professional students who wish to broaden their international experience while minimizing language requirements. It is crafted to offer comparative study of your intended professional field—pre-medicine, pre-law, business, engineering, and health and rehab sciences—while capitalizing on your existing European/Eurasian language credits. This individualized, interdisciplinary credential provides a context for studying abroad and complements most academic plans and majors.

For the Related Concentration, we define Eurasia as the Russian Federation, Turkey, Mongolia, and the former Soviet republics.

Academic Requirements
The Related Concentration in European & Eurasian Studies requirements have three components: language, area studies courses, and a digital portfolio.

  1. Language Proficiency: One year (two semesters) of coursework, or demonstration of equivalent proficiency, in any European or Eurasian language. The same language classes (or AP credits) used to fulfill the general education requirement may be used here as well.
     
  2. European & Eurasian Studies Courses:  Four European/Eurasian Studies Content Courses (12 credits) are required. The courses must come from at least two different departments and none of the courses can overlap with a student’s other credentials. These courses are allowed to overlap, however, with general education requirements. Students must earn a C or better in courses counting towards the Related Concentration. View the approved courses.
     
  3. Digital Portfolio: Students will develop a brief electronic portfolio where they can reflect on their studies, explain the connection between the classes used to complete the requirements, and present examples of their work. Students may include papers or projects developed as class assignments, observations from study abroad, and insights gained from pre-professional experiences such as internships and informational interviews. The portfolio can also serve as part of an online resume, highlighting a student’s experiences, skills and interests.

Certificate Advising
In order to obtain maximum benefit from the program, students should meet regularly with the Assistant Director, Steve Lund. Mr. Lund advises on the completion of requirements, and opportunities that complement classroom learning, such as internships and research opportunities. 

Sample Courses of Study
Students may self-design their theme and group courses as they wish as long as the academic advisor approves. The theme may be created around a specific country or region, or it may be about an interdisciplinary, European and/or Eurasian topic. Here are some examples of course pairings and themes.

Irish Studies
HIST 0150 History of Modern Ireland
HIST 1124 Ireland
ENGLIT 1738 Irish Literature (Course available through study abroad)
PS 1543 Civil War

European and Eurasian Cultures
RUSS 0800 Masterpieces of 19th Century Russian Lit
HIST 1040 World War I in Comparative Perspective
ANTH 0538 Archaeologist Looks at Death
ENGLIT 1325 Modernism

Environmental Politics – A possible option for Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering students
PS 1542 Global Environmental Politics
SOC 1445 Society and Environment
ENGLIT 1005 Literature and the Environment
PS 1538 Politics of Oil and Natural Resources

Architecture and the City – A possible option for Civil Engineering students
ANTH 1530 Origins of Cities
ANTH 1762 Human Ecology
HAA 0040 Intro to Western Architecture
HAA 1160 Roman Architecture