Area Studies: Western Europe

Through its certificate, the Center for West European Studies coordinates undergraduate, graduate, and professional training designed to educate students about Western Europe. The instructional program is based on the premise that the best method for preparing Western European specialists is to offer a wide range of academic and professional courses on the region that serve to complement work in a major discipline.

The Certificate is designed to enable students to major in any discipline (including the physical sciences) and to compliment their studies with an interdisciplinary set of courses directly related to Western Europe, in addition to proficiency in a West European language. Certificate courses are offered in the departments of anthropology, classics, economics, English, fine arts, history, history of art and architecture, history and philosophy of science, linguistics, music, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, study of culture, and theater arts; in the language departments of French and Italian, German, and Hispanic Languages and Literatures; and in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and the School of Law.

Requirements:

• Three years of college level instruction, or the equivalent proficiency, in one Western European language other than English.
• At least six West European Studies courses or seminars, of which at least three must be outside the School of Law. Each semester, a list of courses designated as West European studies courses offered throughout the University can be found in the Schedule of Classes under the heading "Special Programs." The student may, with the approval of the EUC's Program Administrator, take graduate courses not shown on the approved course list if the student prepares a research paper with a West European focus. Based on current offerings and the student's background, upper-level undergraduate courses may be taken towards the Certificate. However, the student must obtain approval from the EUC's Program Administrator as well as from the School of Law, and will be assigned additional reading and a graduate-level research paper.
• An interdisciplinary research paper of 15-25 pages that reflects the use of materials in a West European language. This could be prepared for a course, but students are urged to conceptualize it with the certificate requirements in mind and to consult with the EUC's Program Administrator while writing it. The paper will be evaluated by at least two faculty members from two departments.
• Students must attend at least two CWES/EUC events per semester. Make sure to sign in at the event or e-mail the Program Administrator (euce@pitt.edu ) after an event to receive credit.

Contact Thomas Allen, Program Administrator at 412-624-5404 or euce@pitt.edu for more information.