School of Politics, Public Affairs, and International Studies
Department 3197 | A&S 208
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)-766-6484
Email: sppais@uwyo.edu
Definition of Europe
For the purposes of this minor, Europe is defined first and foremost as a geographic entity running from the Atlantic to the Urals and from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and the Caucasus Mountains. Historically, "Europe" can be traced to roughly the turn of the second millennium when a European identity began to take root. Courses that transcend these boundaries to cover topics such as colonization, migration, or trade should include the study of Europe, as defined here, in a prominent way in order to count toward the minor.
Course Requirements
A minimum of thirty (30) credit hours, twelve (12) of which must be in a single modern European language other than English, and nine (9) of which must be upper division, will be required for completion of the minor. All courses must be passed with a C or better. Topics courses, Honors courses, or special course offerings, may be substituted for course requirements based on the approval of the student's designated minor advisor.
Foreign Language (12 hours)
Twelve (12) hours of a modern European foreign language. Language study may be fulfilled by language instruction at UW, other in-country summer intensive programs, or language-focused study abroad programs, and need not necessarily be limited to the languages currently taught at UW. In the case of language courses taken outside of UW, the European Studies Minor Committee shall have final authority to determine the applicability of those programs and courses to satisfy this component of the European Studies minor.
Area Courses (18 hours)
Students are required to take six (6) hours from each of the areas of Contemporary Civilization, History, and Literature and Culture, for a total of eighteen (18) hours. POLS 2200, Politics of Europe and the European Union (3 hours) is required for the Contemporary Civilization area requirement. Click here for a detailed list of area course requirements.
Capstone Requirement
Students who minor in European Studies are encouraged to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities to study abroad in Europe. The preferred means for students to satisfy the capstone requirement is through a minimum three-hour study abroad experience. If a student cannot participate in a study abroad program, this requirement may be fulfilled by completing an upper-division capstone course that is specifically European in content, complete the Honors senior thesis on a European topic, or complete a 3-credit hour independent study wherein the student produces a substantive research paper on a European topic. The capstone requirement is not intended to add hours to the minor; credit hours earned in completion of this capstone requirement may apply toward the curricular requirements of the minor.
School of Politics, Public Affairs, and International Studies
Department 3197 | A&S 208
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)-766-6484
Email: sppais@uwyo.edu