Western Europe successfully continues in its peaceful process of uniting what was a battleground for centuries.  With their massive production and exportation, industrialized countries of Western Europe are now major trade partners for the United States.  A federation of status once in combat has been established on democratic principles, and has reached a high degree of stability by employing institutionalized rules of behavior.  The dynamic process undertaken by the European Union is now occurring in an open system, which welcomes an increasing number of countries seeking membership.  These and other factors make it one of the most interesting areas of study.  Central Connecticut State University offers a B.A. and M.S. degrees in International Studies with regional specialization in European Union and West European Studies.

The field to be explored is stimulating, and the possibilities are many: from the historical perspective to the philosophical, political or economic point of view.  Students learn about the European Union, the heritage of its past, the challenges of its present, and the future of many projects.  They compare countries, study their geographical characteristics, their languages, and their culture, and have the opportunity to design, in consultation with their adviser, the interdisciplinary plan of study that best fits their interests in the area.

Lecture series offered by diplomatic representatives, business persons and internationally recognized scholars enrich the program.  Students can participate in overseas experiences, choose the country or countries they want to study, and select their favorite foreign language(s) among French, German, Italian, or Spanish.  Job opportunities are accessible in tourism, European companies, multicultural institutions, international marketing firms, international organizations, international communications, or U.S.-based companies with European operations.

B.A. Program in  International Studies, 57 credits

Program Requirements

Core Curriculum, 12 credits

IS 225 The World as a Total System

IS 475 Senior Project

and two of the following:

GEOG 120   World Regional Geography

HIST 122      World Civilization II

PS 104                   The World’s Political Systems

Regional Specialization, 18 credits

Six courses in European Union and West European Studies, selected from:

·         ART 418

·         ECON 475

·         ENG 339, 365, 458, 476, 477, 480, 487, 488*

·         FR 315

·         GEOG 452, 459*

·         HIST 344, 430, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446

·         HUM 150, 290*, 490*, 494*

·         IS 450, 490*, 497*

·         PHIL 232, 330, 332, 366

·         PS 334, 336, 433

and the following courses, taught in foreign languages:

·         FR 302, 316, 350, 471, 472

·         GER 305, 315, 316, 360, 379, 380

·         ITAL 304, 305, 315, 316, 470, 471, 476, 488

·         SPAN 304, 305, 315, 371, 471, 472, 476

*These topic and field courses may be chosen only when they focus on the area of specialization.

Additional Topic and/or IS course options focusing on the region of specialization may be available.

Directed Electives, 9 credits

Three additional courses in European Union and West European Studies or in a related field approved by advisor.

Modern Language, 18 credits

Six courses in a single modern language related to the region of specialization, or demonstrated competency equal to completion of the 226 level.  Languages offered are: French, German, Italian, and Spanish.  Students completing the language requirement with less than 18 credits must select from other approved courses in order to fulfill the eighteen credit requirement.

Structured International or Multi-cultural Experience

At least one semester of faculty supervised, in-depth exposure to another way of life is required.  Ideally, students will spend one academic year abroad, as part of the CCSU Study Abroad Program.  As an alternative, International Studies faculty will assist students to develop local multi-cultural experience related to the student’s academic track or regional specialization.

M.S. Program in International Studies, 30-33 credits

Program Requirements

Core Curriculum, 12 credits 

IS 570, IS 571, IS 572, Comm 543

Regional Specialization, 15 credits

Five courses in European Union and West European Studies at the 400 level or above, as approved by advisor, chosen from among the following:

·         ECON 430, 435, 475

·         ENG 458, 476, 477, 480, 487, 488*, 501

·         GEOG 452, 459*, 516*

·         HIST 430, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 540

·         HUM 490*, 494*

·         IS 450*, 490*, 497*, 590*, 596*, 597*

and the following courses, taught in foreign languages:

·         FR 471, 472, 510, 561, 571, 581, 588

·         ITAL 470, 471, 476, 488, 561

·         SPAN 471, 472, 476, 530, 551, 553, 558

*These topic and field courses may be chosen only when they focus on the area of specialization.

Additional Topic and/or IS course options focusing on the region of specialization may be available.

Research and Capstone, 3 to 6 credits

Plan A: IS 598, Research in International Studies and IS 599, These in International Studies; or

Plan B: IS 598, Research in International Studies and Comprehensive Exam; or

Plan C: IS 598, Research in International Studies and IS 595, Special Project in International Studies

Modern Language Requirement

Demonstration of competency equal to the 226 level in a single language related to area of specialization.

Note: No more than 9 credit hours at the 400 level, as approved by the graduate adviser, may be counted toward the graduate planned program of study.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students in the European Union and West European Studies program can apply to study abroad at any of the following institutions: 

United Kingdom:

Bolton Institute of Higher Education (England)

Bradford College (England)

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (England)

Central Lancashire University (England)

Queen Margaret College (Scotland)

University College of St. Martin (England)

University of  Hertfordshire (England)

France:

Universite de Caen

Germany:

Albert-Ludwig University of Freiburg

University of Bundeswehr, Hamburg

University of Constance

Universität Gesamthochschule Kassel

University of Heidelberg

University of Hohenheim

University of Karlsruhe (Technical University)

University of Mannheim

University of Stuttgart

University of Tübingen

University of Ulm

Spain:                            

Universidad de Léon                     

Sweden:

Växjo University

European Union & West European Studies Committee

Coordinator:

Dr. Angela Morales

Department of Modern Languages

Central Connecticut State University

1615 Stanley Street

New Britain, CT  06050-4010

Telephone:  (860) 832-2887

E-mail: moralesm@ccsu.edu

Departmental Faculty Advisors:

Dr. Richard Benfield, Geography

Dr. Paloma Lapuerta, Modern Languages

Dr. Angela Morales, Modern Languages

Dr. Maria Passaro, Modern Languages

Dr. Carmela Pesca, Modern Languages

Dr. Paul Petterson, Political Science

Dr. Karen Ritzenhoff, Communication

Professor Ron Todd, Art

Dr. Louise Williams, History

Dr. Angela Morales, Modern Languages

Home