David P. Calleo, Director (for CV click here) The European Studies Program covers modern European history, political economy and international relations. It concerns itself with the European Union, member states and other states in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe. Europe has played a central role in international affairs throughout modern history and is now at a particularly fateful moment in its own evolution. With the Soviet collapse, it has regained its traditional geopolitical dimensions and some of its traditional problems as well. Its postwar experiment in creating a new form of continental interstate system has reached a critical stage, while its typical postwar socio-economic systems are under severe challenge. Studying Europe, in all its robust diversity, is fascinating for its own sake, and remains an excellent foundation for a career in the international field. Among leading graduate schools for international affairs, SAIS has always offered a particularly extensive program in European Studies. Our program is naturally concerned with the European Union and its member states, but also with other states in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe, including Russia. The program is closely coordinated between the Washington, D.C. campus and the Bologna Center. Candidates should spend their first year in Bologna, as there is a natural progression in courses from there to Washington. Roughly 40 to 60 European Studies concentrators are enrolled in the two-year MA program at any one point. The strength, breadth of perspective, and unique interdisciplinary rigor of the program attracts not only American students but Europeans as well. Roughly half the candidates in European Studies are non-American. Much of the faculty is also European. In addition to student contingents from most West European countries, a growing number come from Central and Eastern Europe, and also from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Many find our program, with a year in Bologna and a year in Washington, an excellent introduction to the West in general. Graduate education at SAIS has proved an excellent foundation for either a scholarly career of writing, teaching and research, or a professional career in government, business, or the media. Enrolling in SAIS European Studies is a good way for those with an undergraduate degree in European history, political science, economics or literature to transform their academic background into a professional capacity for analyzing problems in the contemporary world. Given Europe's central importance and the program's broad interdisciplinary character, its graduates not infrequently also find European Studies an excellent base for a career in some other part of the world. Campus Options The program is closely coordinated between the Washington, D.C., campus and the Bologna Center in Italy. Candidates normally spend their first year in Bologna. Co-curricular Activities The program offers a series of lectures and seminars at both campuses, mostly on contemporary issues and featuring a variety of government officials and scholarly experts. Ph.D. Program The European Studies has a small Ph.D. program, with a distinguished group of graduates. The approach to research is interdisciplinary and dissertation topics reflect the program’s broad interests. Ph.D. candidates must pass doctoral-level comprehensive examinations including one in international political economy. A demonstrated proficiency in both French and German is also required. Candidates are generally, but not exclusively, drawn from our own M.A. program. For a list of our graduates and their dissertation topics, click here. Typical European Studies Courses
(See http://www.sais-jhu.edu/courses/european_studies.html for course descriptions.) The following are Washington courses only; also see courses offered at the Bologna Center.
History and Ideas - Europe and Islam
- European Security in Transition
- Evolution of the International System
- Free Markets in Crisis
- Major Ideas in Modern Political Economy
Politics and Political Economy - The Political Economy of Transition in Central and Eastern Europe
- Current Issues and Crises in the EU
Country and Regional - The Balkans: From Fragmentation to What?
- Modern British Politics
- Modern French Politics
- Europe, Turkey, and the Mediterranean Region
Advanced Seminars - European Research Seminar
Special Courses - European Lecture Series (non-credit)
- The Newspaper Seminar (non-credit)
Suggested Electives Offered by Other Programs - The Imperious Economy: The United States in the World Political Economy (American Foreign Policy)
- Economic Development in Post-Communist Countries (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
- Politics and Civil Society in Contemporary Russia (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
- Russia and the New Eurasia: Geopolitics, Economics and Foreign Policy (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
- Nations, States and Nationalism in Comparative Perspective (Russian and Eurasian Studies)
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