Certificate in Transatlantic Studies

Europe and the United States share one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. Tied together by history, commerce, and security, they play leading roles in policy and cultural dynamics that influence people around the world. The CERTIFICATE IN TRANSATLANTIC STUDIES lets students pursue a comparative study of Europe and the United States, as well as countries that touch the Atlantic. Primary areas of study include governance, policy and security issues in the context of the transatlantic relationship, the history of colonialism, humanities and culture, and the comparative study of various professional fields such as business and medicine.

Academic Requirements
Certificate requirements have three components: Language proficiency, Transatlantic Studies courses, and an electronic portfolio.

  1. Language Proficiency
    A student must complete two years of study (four semesters) in an official European language (excluding English). Languages currently available include: Spanish, German, French, Italian, Swedish, Modern Greek, Irish Gaelic, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak. Students may request placement tests through the language department
     
  2. Transatlantic Studies Courses
    A minimum of five (15 credits) Transatlantic Studies content courses is required. Two of the courses may overlap with the student’s major or other credentials. The remaining courses must be from at least two departments outside the student’s major. Two of the courses must be at the 1000 level and students must earn a C or better in classes counting towards the certificate. Courses must be thematically relevant to each other. View the approved courses.
     
  3. Digital Portfolio
    Students will develop a brief digital 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, insights gained from pre-professional experiences such as work internships, extra curricular activities, and exceptional coursework to highlight their expertise in Transatlantic Studies. The portfolio can also serve as part of an online resumé, 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. 

Certificate Courses That Also Count for General Education Requirements
The following list includes courses that also count towards the EU certificate and general Education Requirements at the same time:

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’s relationship with the United States, or it may be about an interdisciplinary, transatlantic topic. Here are some examples of course pairings and themes. 

Transatlantic Politics and Policy
PS 1516 Transatlantic Policy Analysis
HIST 1090 History Medicine & Health Care
ECON 0500 Intro to International Economics
PS 1330 European Union Seminar
HIST 1175 Xenophobia in Modern Europe

Transatlantic Perspectives on Race and Racism
HIST 1175 Xenophobia in Modern Europe
SOC 1286 Race and the City
JS 1250 Jews & Judaism in Modern World
AFRCNA 0630 Afro-American History 2
HIST 1617 United States in the 1960s

Creative Arts
HIST 1055 History of Dance
ENGLIT 0315 Reading Poetry
THEA 0810 Introduction to Dramatic Art
THEA 1343 World Theatre: 1890-1970
GER 1528 Vienna

History and Policy of Healthcare
HIST 1090 History Medicine & Health Care
PS 1339 Science & Public Policy in US & Europe
PS 1516 Transatlantic Policy Analysis
SOC 0477 Medical Sociology
SOC 1450 Health & Illness