European Union Center of California

EUROPEAN UNION STUDIES PROGRAM

The European Union Center of California announces a program of minimum requirements for proficiency in European Union Studies. Individual members of the Claremont Colleges may wish to adapt and enhance this minimum standard within their own academic programs.

Requirements of the Program

Four courses, consisting of one course (minimum) from at least three of the following four areas: modern European history, comparative European politics, European economics, and European Union institutions. The fourth course may be chosen from any of these four areas or a list of pre-approved elective courses. A complete list of pre-approved courses is available upon request.

Proficiency in at least two modern European languages (including English). The foreign language requirement can be fulfilled by completing two years (four semesters) of foreign language study at the Colleges, or by demonstrating equivalent proficiency. Students are encouraged to continue language learning beyond this minimum requirement and to establish genuine competency in speaking, reading and writing a foreign language. Students may not exercise the pass/fail option in foreign language courses.

Successful completion of these requirements (four courses plus the language requirement) with a minimum GPA of 3.00 throughout (not including language requirements) will be noted in a letter of commendation from the European Union Center of California. Successful completion of the above requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.5 will result in a letter of commendation with honors.

Note: Study abroad is an excellent complement to (but not a requirement for) the program. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of opportunities to study in Europe.

For more information or a detailed list of courses, contact the Center.

Course Selection Requirements

For courses to be listed for credit in comparative European politics, European economics, and European institutions, they must primarily focus on the specified issues. For electives to be accepted into the Program, the course needs to have a substantial EU component.

Modern European history: preference to courses that include attention to the 20th century through 1989.
Comparative European politics: preference to courses that primarily address different European political systems.
European economics: preference to courses that primarily address different European economic systems, or that focus primarily on the economics of European integration.
European Union institutions: preference to courses in which the study of the European Union and its institutions is the primary course focus.
Electives: preference to courses that have substantial European Union or contemporary European content, but do not meet the criteria for any of the preceding categories.

Click here for a listing of approved courses for the Fall 2009 Semester with European and European Union content.

Feel free to contact the EU Center if you feel that a course currently not listed on the List of Pre-Approved Courses would qualify for selection for the EU Studies Program.