Academic Advising

Q1: How many classes in foreign languages do I have to take?
Q2: I am taking the King’s Foundation Year program. Is this a good basis for the European Studies program?
Q3: How does the year or term abroad work?
Q4: Can I combine my European Studies program with other programs?
Q5: Why are there three sets of classes for the program?
Q6: How many departments should I take classes in?
Q7: I saw in the calendar that the class in European history is one of the first-year requirements. What happens if I miss this class?
Q8: When do I apply for the Honours program?
Q9: How does European Union studies fit in with the European Studies program?
Q10: What if a class I want to take has prerequisites that I don’t have?
Q11: How many multidisciplinary European Studies classes are in the program?

Q1: How many classes in foreign languages do I have to take?
A1:  For the Major program, we encourage you to take classes in one or more of the European languages other than English. However, these classes are not a formal requirement of the Major program. You will have to do at least one foreign language class anyway to meet the Dalhousie rules for all BA programs. 

More language classes are required for the Honours program in European Studies. You should plan to take a non-English language class each year of the program, and at least one class (e.g. at the first-year level) in another language at some point during your program.

Q2: I am taking the King’s Foundation Year program. Is this a good basis for the European Studies program?
A2: Yes. The FYP satisfies the requirements for the first year, except for the language class.  In addition you will have to take a science class to fulfil the general Dalhousie requirements for the BA.

Q3: How does the year or term abroad work?
A3: A term of study at a European university is part of the BA in European Studies, but only for the Honours program. It is optional for the Major program. In the Honours program, you would normally take this term during the third year of your program.

Many universities in France, the Netherlands, Britain and other European countries have arrangements for Canadian and other North American students. Dalhousie has links with several of these universities. More information on these links is available from the Study Abroad Office. You can plan your European term through the Study Abroad Office, though you should note that the office has a January deadline for helping with applications. Alternatively, you can apply directly to the university of your choice. As with other features of the program, it is a good idea to spend time with a European Studies advisor while planning your study abroad.

Q4: Can I combine my European Studies program with other programs?
A4: The European Studies program is designed as a multidisciplinary program, and includes a very broad range of classes. It is a combined program in at least three subjects. As part of the program, you can take several classes from different departments or programs that you are interested in (for example, French, History and Music), but the European Studies program cannot be combined with another program.

Q5: Why are there three sets of classes for the program?
A5: The idea behind the program is that the best way to understand Europe is to take a wide range of classes from different departments.  For example, if you happen to be interested in European history, you can focus on this while at the same time getting a different but complementary perspective through classes in Italian, German or Theatre.  For purposes of the European Studies program, the classes offered through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are divided into (1) history and politics, including a variety of other classes in the social sciences; (2)  literature and ideas, including the study of languages and classes in Philosophy;  and (3) the fine arts, for example, Music, Theatre and Film Studies. Please discuss the options with a European Studies advisor to get the optimal mix that suits your own aims and interests.

Q6: How many departments should I take classes in?
A6: One option is to plan to take classes in three departments or programs, for example, one from each of the three groupings of classes listed above. You may have a deeper interest in one particular subject; if so, take more classes in this area and, if you are in the Honours program, think of this as the main basis for the research for your Honours essay in the fourth year. 

Another option is to take classes from two different departments within a particular grouping (e.g., classes in both Spanish and Philosophy from the literature and ideas set, or History and Political Science from the first grouping).  However, check with the rules in the calendar on the numbers of classes to be taken in each department or grouping. For the Major program, you will take nine classes above the first year level; for the Honours program, the number is 11-13 (including the Honours essay and the language requirements).

Q7: I saw in the calendar that the class in European history is one of the first-year requirements. What happens if I miss this class?
A7: You can take HIST 1004 in the second year, or another class in European history instead.

Q8: When do I apply for the Honours program?
A8: This would normally be during the second year. The term abroad is then during the third year of the program. As noted above, you will need to plan ahead during your second year for the term abroad.

Q9: How does European Union studies fit in with the European Studies program?
A9: You can take classes in the European Union (in Political Science and in Economics).  Dalhousie has a European Union Centre, which was created through a generous grant from the European Commission in Brussels in 2006.  This is mostly directed towards research, including graduate research, and academic conferences.

Q10: What if a class I want to take has prerequisites that I don’t have?
A10: Depending on the class and your academic background it may be possible to waive the prerequisite. This is a matter for the instructor of the class, so check early with the professor teaching the class. You can also get advice on classes in most departments from the European Studies professor(s) in these departments.

Q11: How many multidisciplinary European Studies classes are in the program?
A11: There is a multidisciplinary seminar (EURO 4512 The Idea of Europe) in the fourth year, for both Major and Honours students. In addition for the second year level there are two separate one-term classes (EURO 2101 Europe: Ideas, Culture and Society to 1900 and EURO 2102 Europe: Ideas, Culture and Society from 1900 to the present). This is a very broad survey of European culture, history and politics and is required of all majors because it introduces key topics and problems in European Studies generally.