EURO Major
As a EURO major, you will deepen your understanding of the EU, European history and culture, as well as current events facing Europe and the transatlantic relationship – all the while developing advanced proficiency in a modern European language.
Students who wish to specialize in modern Europe within a particular discipline (such as Political Science, Economics, or History) are especially encouraged to double-major with EURO. You will have special access to the many resources of UNC’s Center for European Studies (a US Department of Education, Title VI National Resource Center and a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence funded by the European Commission) such as lectures, conferences, annual “Europe Week” events and even special funding opportunities.
The EURO major is small and offers individualized advising opportunities. Your advisor is ready to talk to you about courses, study abroad, internships, career options, and community engagement.
As a curriculum, the EURO degree has interdisciplinary structure and extensive language study. This training prepares you to join a network of students who have continued on to graduate studies and/or an international career in public policy, government agencies, NGOs, and transatlantic companies.
Interested? Have questions? Read a recent graduate’s perspective on the major on our blog, or email Katie Shanahan Lindner, EURO advisor for an appointment or sign up below.
Watch a virtual conversation between EURO staff and students to learn what the EURO major can offer you.
Visit the students’ section of our Medium blog for stories on EURO major and alum travels, studies, research interests, and more! You can also read up on UNC TransAtlantic Masters Program students and alums in the same section.
Requirements & Resources
To provide a strong European background in both historical and contemporary issues, there are two courses required for all majors. Each class is also cross-listed in the Political Science and History departments, respectively, with seats reserved for EURO.
You must complete the following courses:
- EURO 239 (POLI 239):
Introduction to European Government - EURO 159 (HIST 159):
Twentieth-Century Europe
EURO majors must select one theme of concentration and take four approved courses in that theme:
- Theme 1: Integration and Enlargement
- Theme 2: Histories and Cultures
One course must be taken from the theme outside the student’s chosen theme of concentration.
One additional course must be completed from Theme 1, Theme 2, or the list of approved Elective Courses on contemporary Europe. Check out the Course Catalog for a list of all approved EURO courses.
Of these six courses, at least three must be numbered 400 or above.
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ARABIC
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BOSNIAN-CROATIAN-SERBIAN
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CZECH
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DUTCH
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FRENCH
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GERMAN
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ITALIAN
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POLISH
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PORTUGUESE
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RUSSIAN
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SPANISH
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TURKISH
Other languages may be approved upon petition to the EURO advisor. One approved literature course taught in the language may also count as a theme or elective course, if included in the official course lists.
EURO majors are strongly encouraged to apply their language proficiency skills in Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC) courses and complete a Study Abroad Program in the target language.
List of Courses for Spring 2024 EURO Credit
Please direct any questions regarding courses and the EURO curriculum to Kayla Bassett Andrade, EURO Student Services Manager, at kbassett@unc.edu.
The Senior Honors Thesis is an opportunity for EURO majors to conduct independent research related to Europe in a discipline of their choosing. Students will choose an advisor and topic by the end of spring semester in their junior year, and should be in touch with Katie throughout the process to ensure proper documentation and enrollment.
Students will be enrolled in 2 independent study courses, EURO 691H and 692H respectively, in the fall and spring semesters of their senior year, during which they will research and write on their topic under the guidance of their faculty advisor, culminating in an oral defense of the project by mid-April of the spring semester. See the collected links below for more information on eligibility and protocols, and check out our Q&A with a EURO student who completed the Honors Thesis.
- Honors Thesis Eligibility, Deadlines, & Funding
- Honors Thesis Learning Contract (PDF Version)
- Online Learning Contract Manager (Online Submission of Learning Contract)
- This platform allows students to either fill out a web version of the contract, or upload a PDF version. This platform is also where you list your advisor. After you submit your contract, it goes for approval to your advisor and to Katie Shanahan Lindner. Final approval is completed by Honors Carolina.
- UNC Writing Center Honors Thesis Resource Page
EURO majors are encouraged to go abroad if they wish. Please see EURO advisor Katie Shanahan Lindner to discuss potential programs that could fit your interests, as well as the credit transfer process for EURO. Please see the study abroad website, studyabroad.unc.edu, for detailed information about summer, semester or year-long credit-bearing programs.
Other study abroad options include the Foreign Language & Area Studies Fellowships, which allow you to study a less commonly taught language over the summer. Summer research options exist as well, including the European Summer Research Award, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Burch Fellowships, the Frances L. Phillips Travel Scholarship, and the Class of 1938 Fellowship.
Please Note: EURO major regulations stipulated that students cannot transfer credit back for 400+ level courses from studying abroad.
Funding Opportunities
ESRA | European Summer Research Award
Applicants must submit a 5-page research proposal detailing the topic and research methods written with the advice of a faculty advisor and a recommendation letter from the advisor will be required with the application. The proposal must also include a detailed travel itinerary and timeline for research. Upon return to campus, the ESRA awardees will submit a 10-page research report of their findings documenting their experience. Awardees are also asked to write a CES Medium blog post about their experience and submit a photo essay documenting their travels.
In the application, please upload all supplemental documents as PDFs. If you are uploading an official transcript, please remove the password protection from the PDF.
The deadline for summer 2023 applications is February 15, 2023
The ESRA award is generously supported by Betsy Blackwell and John Watson.
Apply
Kellan Robinson | Summer 2019 ESRA Fellow
Kellan Robinson is a member of the UNC class of 2020. She is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and double majored in Contemporary European Studies and Global Studies (focus of Africa and International Politics) with minors in French and African American and Diaspora Studies. She used the European Summer Research Award (ESRA) to explore Black experiences in Europe, and attend related enrichment opportunities. Read our Medium post for more on Kellan’s work.
Lucas Fernandez | Summer 2019 ESRA Fellow
Lucas Fernandez is double majoring in Contemporary European Studies and Economics, with a minor in Business Administration. He is a member of the UNC Fencing Team. Lucas used the European Summer Research Award (ESRA) to investigate impacts of Brexit on UK universities. Check out our Medium post for more on Lucas’ work.
Parker Nelson | Summer 2020 ESRA Fellow
A member of the Class of 2022, Parker Nelson is double majoring in Contemporary European Studies and Peace, War, and Defense. He is using the European Summer Research Award (ESRA) to study the treatment of Chinese-Spanish citizens following growing economic relations between China and Spain.
Tracy Ridley | Summer 2020 ESRA Fellow
Tracy Ridley is a member of the UNC Class of 2022. He is double majoring in Contemporary European Studies, and Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures with a concentration in German Media, Arts, and Culture. Tracy is using the ESRA award to research the recognition of anti-Black racism in Germany; how Black Germans have been left out of the conversation of racism and to conclude about what the future may hold for this ever-growing community.
Lara Matsukura Bernardino | Summer 2021 ESRA Fellow
Lara is a member of UNC Class of 2023 double majoring in Contemporary European Studies and Business Administration with a minor in German. Lara is using the ESRA award to research the effect of exchange programs and educational initiatives on German-American relations, and interested in this topic after participating in the Congress-Bundestag Exchange.
EURO-TAM | Dual BA-MA
If you are in high school with an interest in UNC and Europe, you can learn more about the Excel@Carolina program. If selected for our assured admission fast-track, you will have the opportunity to complete your undergraduate and masters degree in five years using the EURO-TAM degree framework.
If you are already a UNC student, the EURO-TAM track is still available to you. Contact us for more information!
Hear from EURO-TAM alum Kellan Robinson
Course of study
The EURO Major – The Curriculum in Contemporary European Studies is an interdisciplinary and individualized major designed for students seeking to deepen their understanding of the issues and events currently shaping Europe. See the EURO major webpage for detailed information on EURO curriculum requirements. Eligible EURO majors who maintain a 3.2 GPA and complete all BA requirements before the end of their third year of study may apply for early admission to the TAM program. If admitted, they begin TAM coursework in the fall of their fourth year.
Application
To be eligible for admission into the EURO-TAM program, candidates must meet the following requirements before beginning the first year of TAM study:
- Graduate with a BA in Contemporary European Studies
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2
Students apply for admission to the TAM program in the fall of their senior year of undergraduate studies. The annual deadline will be posted on the TAM website. The admission criteria and required documents are available on the application page of the site.
Current or prospective undergraduate students who are interested in the EURO-TAM BA-MA program should contact EURO advisor Katie Lindner and the TAM associate director Dr. Sarah Hutchison as soon as possible, in order to strategically plan their program of study. Students should continue to meet with the EURO advisor at least once each semester to track their progress.
For office locations, see CES Staff.
Pre-Professional Programming
CES offers EURO-TAM Program students opportunities to hone professional skills. As a result, these students gain workplace competencies and interview talking points long before they seek full-time employment. Pre-professional opportunities can be ongoing commitments or one-time event and include various activities such as joining the Model EU team or a working group on immigration in Europe. Students can also assist with conference logistics or attend lectures/panels and write summaries or opinion pieces for the CES blog. For those who are heavily involved with Center offerings, a co-curricular transcript documenting consistent engagement may be available.
EURO-TAM Pre-Professional Programming Opportunities:
- Model EU – join the team and compete within the US. Share your experience through a blog post.
- Europe: Consider It All! Conference – write and present a paper for the annual conference; help with logistics.
- Career Workshops – get help with finding internships, preparing for interviews, and improving your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile with CES staff and your peers.
- TAM Alumni Panels – attend and network with other EURO-TAM cohorts and TAM alumni. Share your experience through a blog post.
- Global Career Night – attend and network with other UNC students and alumni. Share your experience through a blog post.
- WRESL: Working Group on Refugees, Europe, and Service Learning – become a member, organize events, moderate panels, introduce speakers, write blog posts, etc.
- CES Conferences/Lectures/Events – attend, help with logistics, or provide campus tour for guest speakers. Share your experience through a blog post or opinion piece.
- Mentoring Program for incoming EURO-TAM students – serve as a mentor and share your experiences with new EURO-TAM students.
European Horizons
European Horizons at Carolina is the first UNC student think tank centered around Europe. It aims to educate students about the international implications of current events in Europe; to facilitate discussion about the causes of, effects of, and potential solutions to pressing European issues; and to provide an environment in which those with special interests in Europe can interact and collaborate with each other both socially and academically. Connect with European Horizons on Facebook and Twitter.
Student Profiles
Where can the EURO major take you? Browse these profiles of EURO majors for possible career and academic options. Contact us at europe@unc.edu with questions about the major, the UNC TransAtlantic Masters Program housed at the UNC Center for European Studies, and professional paths.
Tatiana Colón
EURO CLASS OF ’16
Currently: Global Escalations Specialist, Facebook
Majors: Contemporary European Studies: Integration and Enlargement; Global Studies: International Politics and Latin American Studies
Why EURO?: Completing the EURO major is one of the best decisions I have made. As I student, I was able to take advantage of a range of opportunities offered by the Center – including participating in a week-long Brussels Study Tour – and built relationships with professors, staff, and peers that will continue to help me in the future. The EURO major is perfect for anyone passionate in international/European affairs who wants the ability to get to know professors closely while being challenged to create interdisciplinary and interregional connections.
Languages: Fluent English and Spanish, Intermediate Portuguese, Beginner French
Global Experiences: As a student at UNC, I participated in the Burch Field Research Seminar for Domestic and International Affairs in Washington, DC, where I gained valuable internship experience while working at the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST).
Professional/Academic Experience: Atlantic Council, Board Relations and Development Intern • Peace Corps, Intern • Co-founder, European Horizons, UNC Chapter
More details: At ADST, I worked with staff to copy-edit oral history transcripts and publish short pieces on important and interesting moments and figures in U.S. diplomatic history. Following my internship with ADST, I interned with the Atlantic Council, a leading international relations think tank in DC, and worked with the Board Relations and Development team to analyze opportunities for organizational growth and relationship strengthening.
Following my time in DC, I returned to UNC and completed an internship with the Peace Corps while leading a team of students to found the UNC chapter of European Horizons, an international student-based think tank founded by Yale University. My experiences at think tanks and small organizations provided me with the interpersonal and organizational skills needed to lead a team of driven students hoping to foster conversation and concrete policy change. Since UNC, I have gained experience in community-based development at a NGO located in the DC area, followed by now working in the Risk and Response Department at Facebook.
Michael Cunningham
EURO Class of ’21
Majors: Contemporary European Studies
Minor: History
As a transfer student, what about EURO appealed to you?
Being older, I have the luxury of knowing exactly what I want do study. The EURO program not only allowed me to have smaller classes but also married three things I love to study – Europe, politics, and history. Really, if they had asked me to design a program for my own personal benefit, EURO would be it.
Do you plan on applying to TAM?
I’m interested in studying at the University of Bath while in TAM to better understand the rise of populism and nationalism and how that relates to Brexit and both the EU as well as the “special relationship” between the UK and US.
Which of your courses has been the most impactful for you?
Professor Milada Vachudova’s course on Institutions in an Undivided Europe (POLI 438) was eye opening, not only because you do a fairly deep dive into Eastern Europe (which I think is forgotten for the most part) but also her passion for the subject was fascinating to watch in class.
Do you have a favorite EURO course?
It has to be POLI 433, the Politics of the EU. Not only is it extremely relevant to my interests but the professor, Dr. Gary Marks, has made the course engaging – which is hard to do given the limitations of Zoom.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m applying to TAM so I hope to go right into post-graduate work after a quick summer break. Ultimately, I’d like to work in governance on either side of the Atlantic be it in DC or London/Paris/Brussels.
Do you have a favorite EU Member?
It *was* the UK but… they’ve taken themselves out of the running for that accolade…
Sydney Rehder
EURO Class of ’22, TAM Class of ‘24
Majors: Contemporary European Studies; Political Science
Why the EURO Major?
The EURO-TAM Program has been one of the best parts of my experience at UNC, and I am so grateful that I chose EURO. The support from CES, personal and academic relationships, and opportunities to learn have all been incredibly influential in my growth as a student. I love that I can take so many interdisciplinary classes. It’s the best major you’ve never heard of!
What are your plans for TAM?
I am excited to do TAM because I think it will provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which the transatlantic relationship can positively impact global issues. I think international relations and cooperation are the key to solving the biggest issues we face, and I hope to learn more through TAM.
What are the classes like?
I took a EURO course, Global Cities (GEOG 428), with Prof. Jon Lepofsky. It was the first course I’d taken at UNC that the professor cared more about learning than grades. All of the students were invested in the class, and we had really fascinating discussions on the concepts of space and place, physical location, and the role of political, social, and cultural ideas in geography. It made me think outside of the box, and consider the way that I learn and develop not just as a student, but as a person.
Which course has been your favorite?
My favorite course is my Internship for Credit course! I’m interning with Novel Hand, where I’ll be researching a wide range of humanitarian issues and writing articles providing solutions to those topics.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduating from TAM, I hope to work for a non-profit or global think tank. I’d like to focus on human migration and help provide resources and safety for refugees.
Tracy Ridley
EURO Class of ’22, TAM Class of ‘24
Majors: Contemporary European Studies; Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures – German Media, Arts, and Culture Concentration
Why the EURO Major?
I choose the EURO major because of its flexibility and the breadth of opportunities that it provides. While it allows me to focus on my main interests, European culture and history, it does not limit me to this. I was able to make personal connections with renowned people in my field of interest but also gain experiences like the Phillips Ambassadors Program with the help of the Center for European Studies. By pursuing this major, I feel as if I have a more well-rounded, wholistic perspective on not only Europe but the world in general.
Are you planning on doing TAM? Which tracks, where, and why?
I am currently planning on pursuing the 3+2 plan for the German-Turkish Studies track. This track seems to be a perfect fit for me. My main country of focus is Germany and the ever-growing immigration population in this country fascinates me. Having GermanTurkish friends, I have heard the stories of their families and how tough immigration in Germany can be. This is something that I want to change. Whether that be through pursuing an academic career or through a job at an NGO, I plan to play my part in the solution. I plan on spending the first semester at Carolina and the remaining three semesters at the Humboldt University in Berlin.
Could you tell us about your study-abroad experiences and plans?
For the Fall 2020 semester, I am currently studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. This choice of location was inspired by my desire to see the world and experience new cultures. I had never been to Asia before and this was by far the best decision I could have ever made. Every day I am trying new foods (my favorite Korean dish is Dak galbi), meeting new people and making memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. In addition to experiencing Korean culture on a daily basis, I am also speaking French and German with friends I have made from those countries. It is the best of both worlds for me to be immersed into Korean and European cultures simultaneously. Pending approval, I am hoping to spend the Spring 2021 semester at the Free University of Berlin.
What research have you done/applied for? What was this experience like?
I applied for and received the European Summer Research Award for the Summer 2020 term. Even though it was postponed due to COVID-19, I am planning to travel to Germany to conduct my research in 2021. The Center for European Studies was really flexible about tailoring the money and experience to fit my interests. I could walk in just about any day and Katie would make time to talk to me. My research will focus on the recognition of race and racial discrimination in Germany.
What languages do you study, and what has this experience been like for you?
While at Carolina, I have studied German as my foreign language. Since I grew up speaking German, this adjustment was an interesting learning experience. There were things we learned in class that I had known for years and others I had to learn just like everyone else. Though trying at times, the Department of Germanic & Slavic Languages & Literature was extremely resourceful in helping me adjust to learning German in a classroom setting.
Aleksandar Trivanovic
EURO Class of ’23, TAM Class of ‘25
Majors: Contemporary European Studies; Political Science
Minor: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Why the EURO Major?
I chose the EURO Major after going to the Fall into Your Major Session provided by the Student Union in my freshman year. I was already in my first EURO Course, which I was really enjoying, but EURO sold me on the amazing opportunities that came with being a EURO Major, such as the TAM Friday lecture series with EU diplomats, ambassadors, and changemakers. I was also floored by the opportunities in Study Abroad, FLAS Awards, and Summer Research Awards available to EURO Majors, which I can’t wait to take advantage of.
What are your plans for TAM?
I am planning on doing TAM Track I at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, because my goal is to work in Europe post-grad and I would love to continue studying the German language through taking courses in EU Politics and Migration in German.
What made you want to study Europe?
The first EURO course I took was POLI 239 with Brian Overington. I absolutely loved the class and it fueled my interest in the EU and European Affairs. The course was an excellent introduction to the fantastic faculty, great education, and fiery discussion provided by the EURO Major courses and I have had similar experiences in every other EURO course I have taken since.
Which course has been your favorite?
POLI 433H with Gary Marks because the lectures are incredibly interesting and I enjoy the lively discussions and debate with other bright minds in the EURO Major!
What are your plans after undergrad?
I plan on participating in the TAM program and either working for an NGO/non-profit in Europe, going into the diplomacy sector, or working remotely in Europe for a think tank.
And finally… If you could only eat one European food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gibanica (Serbian cheese pie)!