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The University of Aberdeen introduced an Honours programme in European Studies in 1990-91.
Europe is undergoing great changes. Change brings new and complex challenges to political, economic and social structures. As the UK becomes more closely integrated with other member countries of the European Union (EU), so the need for a better understanding of Europe will increase. The opportunities for employment will be augmented, and a growing number of graduates will consider spending at least part of their careers in other European countries. The European Studies programme aims to enable them to do so by providing a thorough understanding of contemporary Europe, developing their linguistic competence and giving them direct experience of living in Europe.
The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of modern Europe through a study of the political, economic and cultural forces which have shaped Europe and continue to influence its development. The course centres on the European Union, but without neglecting the wider Europe of which the Union forms part; due attention is paid to the countries in Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe which are not (yet) members of the EU.
The MA programme is intended for students both from the UK and from other countries. In particular, the syllabus has been designed so that students from other EU countries will be able to enrol either for the whole course or for part of it, for example under exchanges forming part of an ERASMUS/SOCRATES exchange.
The course takes as its starting-point the view that an understanding of modern Europe must be broadly based, founded on a study of European history, institutions, law, and politics, together with the study of at least European languages (including English) and the cultures associated with those languages.
The course lasts for four years and is made up of core, plus elective elements; the third year of the course is spent abroad. The elective parts of the degree allow students to explore or specialise in areas of study (e.g. economics, history, language, law, literature, philosophy, politics & international relations, sociology) which particularly interest them. The final year programme consists of the dissertation and to a substantial degree elective elements.
The core elements are compulsory and are designed to provide a strong inter-disciplinary foundation. They consist of the following courses:
Students take two courses (one in each semester) on the History and Politics of European Integration, plus one or two languages, which can be studied from ab initio. The languages available are French, German, Spanish, and Scottish Gaelic. Additionally some electives are taken.
Students continue with one or two languages, and with History and Politics courses. Again electives from a wide range of options make up the required credits.
Year 3 is spent abroad, usually studying in one or two European universities for one or two semesters. The exchanges take place under ERASMUS/SOCRATES programmes.
During their year abroad, students will be expected to follow courses which are relevant to the European Studies programme and they are also required to complete a programme of work set by Aberdeen University.
Year 4 is in Aberdeen, and students will have the opportunity for specialised work. Depending on their particular interests, they can opt for either one or two languages, and they complete the compulsory dissertation (10-12,000 words) on a subject of their own choice which should have been chosen during the stay abroad. Additional courses from a wide range of other options are also chosen.
The degree is multidisciplinary and therefore taught across a range of departments by experts in their particular field, be it language, law, economics, politics. The University is particularly strong in its expertise on European matters; for example:
Professor Derek Urwin is a specialist in modern European history, European integration and the politics of nationality. He is the author of standard works on post-war European developments, his most recent being A Political History of Western Europe since 1945 and The Community of Europe.
Professor Trevor Salmon specialises in the study of European Communities, European security questions. He is the author of: Unneutral Ireland and co-author of Understanding the European Communities: Structure and Process, and A European Army.
Professor David Arter is a specialist on the European Union with particular reference to Nordic countries. He is the author of: Making Politics and Policy in Finland; Politics and European Integration in the 20th Century, and The Scottish Parliament. A Scandinavian-style legislature?.
Professor Paul Beaumont is a specialist in European Law and is the co-author of Private International Law, and of an authoritative text on EU Law.
Dr Christoph Dartmann, who as Director of European Studies co-ordinates the programme, is a specialist in 20th century Western European history, including the history of European integration. His publications include: Redistribution of Power, Joint Consultation or Productivity Coalitions? Labour and Postwar Reconstruction in Germany and Britain, 1945-1953.
The MA course saw its first students graduate in 1994. The degree provides students with the same intellectual and analytical training gained from any Honours degree but, in addition, graduates have a specific profile in that they possess linguistic skills, have direct experience of living in European countries, are thoroughly informed on major aspects of Europe and will have demonstrated their ability to operate in a multidisciplinary context. Thus they have intellectual qualities and applied skills together with the ability to adapt to various disciplines and changing circumstances, which are very much the kind of attributes employers are seeking whether in the public or private sectors in Britain and Europe. Graduates are pursuing a wide range of careers, for example: management (Marks and Spencer; Unilever; IBM); marketing (Britvic - International; Price Waterhouse, Vienna); Reuters News agency; import-export in Spain; financial sector, Germany; public relations (Shandwick) Brussels; a number have gone on to graduate from the prestigious Collège de L'Europe (Bruges) and others have become Stagiaires and work for various European agencies; some go on to postgraduate degrees in a range of studies, e.g. marketing, management, teaching.
Aberdeen University has considerable teaching and research expertise in the field of European Studies as well as a thriving undergraduate degree programme. The university library, which holds over one million books and periodicals and which operates an entirely computerised system, offers first class facilities for fundamental and secondary research. It is one of the few European Documentation Centres (EDC) in the UK. Thus the University is a deposit library for all EU working documents, from the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission and the Court of Justice. Being an EDC also means that the library has on-line access to the Commission's databases. These facilities, together with the expertise of the library staff, ensure that students have unique opportunities for gaining access to information and thus for research. The university provides excellent computer facilities to which all students have access. Students are encouraged to participate in the extensive programmes of lectures by visiting experts organised by university departments.
This is an interdisciplinary course, taught by staff from several different disciplines, but Dr Christoph Dartmann, Director of European Studies, acts as the focus of the programme. All students are advised by him and can see him by appointment.
Page last modified: Friday, 11-Jan-2008 14:14:01 GMT
European Studies
Crombie Annexe, University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen AB24 3FX
Telephone: +44 (0)1224 272470/272199 · Fax: +44 (0)1224 272203 · Email: c.dartmann@abdn.ac.uk
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