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European Studies Undergraduate Program

The Global Studies Program offers a B.A. in International Studies. You may major or minor in European Studies. See the Undergraduate Catalog for degree requirements.

Where to Start

Contact a European Studies Advisor if you are interested in our program. Our faculty will be happy to answer your questions, to explain the structure of the major and minor, and to help you choose future classes. An Advisor can also help you plan for study abroad and explain the transfer credit process. Click here to find an Advisor whose teaching and research interests are similar to yours.

All majors and minors must take EURS 201 - Introduction to European Studies. We highly recommend that you take it as soon as you can as it will give you a good feel for what it's like to study in our discipline. It is also a COLL 200 course.

First Semester Course Guide by Major

Both majors and minors will take two 300+ level courses on literature or culture taught in a European language other than English. Majors will take two additional 200+ level courses in a second European language other than English. All the courses that fulfill these requirements have beginning language courses as prerequisites. If you do not have experience in studying a European language other than English, it's best to get started on these requirements as soon as possible. See the Modern Languages & Literatures placement information to see what your language level is at W&M.

We encourage all students to participate in study abroad programs and independent research.

Finding Courses

Not all courses eligible for the ES major or minor are offered every year. Check the Undergraduate Catalog to see which courses are approved as meeting degree requirements. Then use the Dynamic Schedule or Open Course List to see which ones are offered in the next semester.

It is not formally required that an ES minor have an advisor to help navigate the degree requirements. However, if you should have questions or simply want to talk about your chosen field of study, do not hesitate to contact a faculty advisor or see the Program Director.