European Studies

European Studies is an interdisciplinary major focusing on Europe’s rich cultural tradition and its ongoing contributions to the modern world. Designed for students with a passion for all things Europe, students can take courses from over 100 BYU faculty with specializations in the social sciences, humanities, language, business, and the fine arts. Besides developing an in-depth understanding of European history and culture and the importance of global citizenship, students acquire advanced and transferable skills in research, analysis, communication, networking, and collaboration.

European Studies students have access to over 150 BYU faculty members specializing in European languages, history, literature, politics, social science, business, and the visual and performing arts. Students take courses from scholars with national and international reputations and benefit from BYU’s unparalleled offerings in European languages. Each year students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of special programs, including lunches with visiting ambassadors, lectures by distinguished scholars, faculty discussions at Café Europa, and events sponsored by the European Studies Student Association (ESSA). European Studies students also have an inside track on such professional development opportunities as interning with the Brussels Government and Society and Scottish Parliament programs, presenting at prestigious undergraduate research conferences, and competing on BYU’s award-winning Model EU team. Students are highly encouraged to take advantage of the university’s numerous European study abroad programs, including the General Education (SAGE) initiatives in London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, or Madrid.

The European Studies Major

Each semester European Studies majors and minors can choose from over 100 courses taught by the roughly 150 BYU faculty members with expertise in European subjects. Students also have the option of fulfilling several requirements through Independent Study courses.

Interested students should meet with either the European Studies faculty coordinator, Professor Heather Belnap (208 HRCB or heather_belnap@byu.edu) or one of the counselors at the Kennedy Center Advisement Center (273 HRCB). Download ES Major Brochure (PDF).

Go to the Kennedy Center Advisement Center (273 HRCB), where the secretaries will assist you. Seniors must meet with an academic advisor before approval to switch to the major will be granted.

See the BA in European Studies page in the BYU Undergraduate Catalog and course options (PDF).

See the expected Learning Outcomes for the European Studies major and Senior Seminars (PDF).

The European Studies Minor

The European Studies minor allows students who have completed a mission, internship, or study abroad in Europe—or simply have a love for Europe’s people and cultures—to expand their knowledge of the continent and receive a formal credential signaling their international expertise. Requiring only 15 hours beyond the GE language requirement, a minor in European Studies is a perfect way to complement a degree in just about any field. Download ES Minor Brochure (PDF).

Faculty Coordinator

Heather Belnap
Associate professor of art history
208 HRCB or 3051 JFSB
(801) 422-8242

Governance

The European Studies program is governed by an Executive Committee of faculty that represents various departments and schools across campus. Affiliated faculty, comprised of faculty members whose work relates to Europe and who have elected to join this body, participate in discussions related to the program

Most of the assessment of the major and minor is done by the program coordinator through competency exams and surveys of graduates and alumni. The Executive Committee meets regularly to review the results of these exams and surveys and make recommendations to the affiliated faculty for needed changes. The results of the assessment work are communicated annually to the faculty affiliates, who are invited to discuss these findings.

European Studies Committee

Faculty Affiliates

Membership as a European Studies faculty affiliate is open to all BYU faculty members whose teaching, research, and/or service activities relate to Europe.

European Studies aims to foster a supportive environment for faculty and to provide a network in which faculty members can share, mentor, and collaborate on research related to Europe. The European Studies program frequently sponsors visiting scholars, lectures, receptions, and events such as Café Europa, as well as other related activities. These occasions provide faculty interdisciplinary contacts and connections, improve research opportunities, and foster the development of the study of Europe at BYU. Furthermore, the Kennedy Center provides potential funding to its affiliates for research and conference travel.

One of the most important contributions a European Studies faculty affiliate can make is to serve as a mentor to the program’s majors and minors, providing professional guidance, sharing internship opportunities, and advising on capstone projects. Affiliates may be asked to guest lecture in EUROP 200, the Introduction to European Studies course. That said, an affiliate’s participation in such activities is strictly voluntary.

While the primary responsibility of the European Studies program’s governance is the responsibility of its executive committee, which is comprised of ten–twelve members representing various disciplines, affiliates are invited to contribute to shaping the program. Questions, concerns, and suggestions may be shared at the annual meeting held during University Conference, as well as by contacting the faculty coordinator or member of the executive committee.

Faculty interested in being an affiliate should write to byueuropeanstudies@gmail.com. The European Studies program assistant will then generate an entry on the Kennedy Center’s European Studies faculty affiliate program web page and add you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Funding Opportunities

Affiliates are encouraged to apply for Kennedy Center research and travel grants that further their work on European topics. European Studies can also assist with the sponsorship of visiting lecturers (contact Heather Belnap, European Studies faculty coordinator, and Stan Benfell, director of Academic Programs and Research at the Kennedy Center for more information).

Professors of the Year

Clubs and Honor Societies

There are many professional and social opportunities for European Studies students. In addition to Model United Nations, LDS International Society, foreign language clubs, choirs, and honor societies, the program sponsors the Model European Union program and has its own student organization, the European Studies Student Association (ESSA). ESSA traditions include monthly brown-bag lunches with BYU faculty and career advisors, an opening social, and a closing banquet honoring graduating seniors and the student-selected European Studies Professor of the Year.

Internships

Recent experience has proven that European Studies majors and minors who have completed internships fare significantly better when applying for jobs or graduate school. The gold standard is spending a semester or summer interning in Europe. While several departments in the College of Humanities sponsor high-quality internships in Europe, students with an interest in government and public policy should consider the Brussels Government and Society internship, administered by the European Studies program, as well as the  the Scottish Parliament , overseen by the College of Humanities. See the links for application instructions under “Other Content” on the right.

If finances or life circumstances make it impossible to leave Provo, you can still have an outstanding internship experience through local providers. Visit the Internships page for more information.

Kennedy Center Opportunities and Resources

https://kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships/

Career Resources

While a degree in European Studies can lead to a range of graduate school and career opportunities, majors in the discipline are strongly encouraged to supplement their degree with a study abroad experience, an international internship, and a minor or secondary major in a complementary field. Past graduates have found work in business, government, nonprofit administration, and domestic and international teaching. Others have used the degree as a springboard to graduate studies in law, business, medicine, political science, public administration, international studies, history, literature, and language. See the tracks recent alums have taken on Career Pathways.

These alumni notes appeared in past issues of Bridges, the Kennedy Center’s alumni magazine.