CONCENTRATION Students concentrating in European Studies must take a minimum of one country course (choose from Britain, France, Germany and Italy). Candidates should consult with their faculty adviser regarding courses and independent readings that will prepare them for the comprehensive exams. Comprehensive Examinations European Studies concentrators are required to pass 3 comprehensive examinations: Comp I: Modern European History and Ideas (1600-1945)
Students without a strong background in European history should take the specialized history Core course, Evolution of the International System. This is offered in the second semester in Bologna, and a comparable course is also offered in Washington in the first semester. Although European Studies concentrators must pass COMP I, they need not take the Core course for credit. Those with a strong background in history may wish to opt for more advanced or specialized courses in history or political ideas, and then prepare for COMP I using the European Studies syllabus—preferably also auditing the Core course. Comp II: Pan European Political Economies (post-1945)
This exam encompasses the domestic political economies of the four major West European nation states, the European Union and European integration generally, the problems of transition in Central and Eastern Europe—including Russia, and Europe’s relations with the American and global economies. The Bologna course, West European Political Economies, is strongly recommended to prepare for COMP II, along with Political Economy of Transition in Central and Eastern Europe, offered in Washington. Normally, candidates attempt this exam in the fall or winter of their second year. Comp III: Europe and the World Since 1945
Europe in the Cold War is offered in Bologna, and numerous courses offered in Bologna and Washington cover the post-Cold War years. All European Studies concentrators should take at least one country course from among those listed for Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Germany and Italy are offered in Bologna, Britain and France in Washington. The European Comprehensive examinations are based on the European Studies Syllabus (click to download (MS Word | Adobe PDF) link), which sets out the topics and offers a bibliography for each of the Comprehensive examinations. Click here for old COMP exams. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS All candidates for the M.A. degree must complete a concentration in the field of International Economics by taking 4-6 economics courses at SAIS. Students can also pursue a specialization within International Economics by taking additional course work. CORE COURSES European Studies concentrators can substitute Comp I and Comp II for SAIS’s Core exam requirements in Evolution of the International System and Comparative National Systems. European Studies concentrators need not take any core exams, but they must pass the three European Comprehensive exams. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY European Studies MA candidates must pass exams to demonstrate proficiency, preferably in French or German. All non-native English speakers are required to pass an English placement exam upon entering SAIS. Native French or German speakers must pass proficiency in a seond language which can include English. CAPSTONE European Studies concentrators must complete ONE of the following capstones: 1. European Studies Oral Exam. Candidates submit, in advance, a brief paper with a topic they are prepared to discuss. It should feature a contemporary European issue in the light of its historical, institutional, political and economic settings. Participation in the non-credit newspaper seminar and at the various lectures on contemporary European political and economic issues is a good way to prepare for the oral. There are, of course, numerous courses dealing, at least in part, with Europe’s contemporary problems. 2. MA Oral Exam (to compete for honors—if eligible). A total of 16 courses taken for credit are required for an MA degree (unless a student has advanced standing or is in a dual-degree program). PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS BY ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) AY 2010-2011 Entering Class
AY 2009-2010 Entering Class DEGREE AUDIT (CHECKLIST) BY ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) AY 2011-2012
AY 2010-2011 | 
