Arts - European Studies BA

Program Overview

The European Studies program at [University Name] provides a multidisciplinary exploration of the European Union, equipping students with a deep understanding of its political, diplomatic, administrative, and economic processes. Students spend a year abroad at a partner university, gaining firsthand experience and developing cultural understanding. The program emphasizes critical thinking, research expertise, and strong communication and negotiation skills, preparing graduates for careers in various sectors, including the public and private sectors, EU institutions, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

European Studies is a multidisciplinary subject that explores the processes and consequences of political, diplomatic, administrative, and economic decision-making within the European Union. The program aims to prepare graduates for the challenges of a more interdependent and enlarged EU. It provides insight into the EU as a system of multilevel governance and a critical understanding of contemporary developments within the Union. The program emphasizes the development of independent thinking, strong communication and negotiation skills, cultural understanding, and research expertise.

Outline:

• Year 1 Modules:
• ES1002 Introduction to Europe and the European Union (5 credits)
• ES1003 The Nature and Political Evolution of the EC/EU (5 credits)
• ES1004 Europe: Rural Societies, Economies & Policies (5 credits)
• Year 2 Modules:
• Core:
Methodologies, Data Analysis & Research; Model European Union
• Electives:
Europe, Ireland and the Wider World II; The European Union and the International System; Comparative European Politics I; Institutions of the European Union; Mediterranean Politics; 1989 Revolutions: Poland and East Central Europe; Geography of Tourism; Contemporary Human Migration & European Settlement and Society; Cities of Diversity; Economic and Rural Geography.
• Year 3 Modules:
• Students spend this year studying at a partner university in a country appropriate to their studies and/or major language subject.
Examples include:
• Spain (Barcelona, Seville, Santiago, Salamanca, and Cadiz)
• Germany (Munich, Bonn, and Konstanz)
• Austria (Innsbruck)
• Sweden (Lund)
• Italy (Bologna, Siena, Florence, and Perugia)
• France (Aix-en-Provence (IEP), Paris III and Sciences Po, Lyon 3, and Rennes I and II)
• UCC also has partnerships with English language speaking institutions in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada, and South America.
• Year 4 Modules:
• Core:
Research Dissertation
• Electives:
Ireland & International Relations: From Independence to Globalisation; Capitalism, Communism and the Cold War: East and West Germany (1945-1990); The EU Periphery: Minority Issues, Nationalism and Identity Politics; Geography of Heritage; Historical Geographies of the City; Geopolitics and Geostrategies; Regional and Local Planning; Northern Ireland; International Relations; State and Economy in Independent Ireland 1922-2000; US Collective Memory, Intervention and the Impact of Vietnam since 1968; Constitutional & Institutional Law of the EU; Economic Law of the EU.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods include written exams, project work, and dissertations.
• Not all modules have formal examinations.
• The variety of assessment methods aims to enhance students' skills and knowledge.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, small group work, project and dissertation research, and online learning through Blackboard at UCC.
• The contact hours, lectures, small group work, and research required vary depending on the modules registered.
• European Studies lectures take place Monday to Friday.
• In Year 1, lectures take place three times per week, with tutorials also offered.
• Year 2 involves research techniques and a Model European Union, along with a range of optional modules.
• Year 3 is spent abroad, and students begin research for their final year dissertation.
• Year 4 involves continued degree design based on student interests, culminating in a research dissertation with an assigned supervisor.

Careers:

• European Studies graduates have pursued careers in various areas, including:
• European public and private sectors
• Foreign Affairs
• EU Institutions and Agencies
• Government Departments
• Communications
• Administration
• Marketing and Management
• Research
• NGOs and Charities
• Policy Analysis
• Consultancy
• Academia
• Media, PR, and Journalism

Other:

• The program offers a unique and valuable year abroad (Year 3).
• Students can cultivate expertise in a chosen subject through the Year 3-4 Research Dissertation.
• The program equips students with critical linguistic and communication skills and expertise concerning EU developments, skills that support a wide range of occupations.
• Students have the opportunity to avail of a work placement in Year 2.
• The program is available as a BA or BA International degree.
• In the BA, European Studies is available as a subject in Year 1 only.
• In the BA International, European Studies can be pursued to degree level for students selecting it with preferably one of the following subjects: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, or English.
• Students spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities in a country appropriate to their studies and/or the major language studied.

The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme.