About Project:
DG RELEX C1, CHAR 14/2009
This project is funded by a grant from the Directorate General for External Relations (DG RELEX) of the European Commission.
About IES:
Established in May 1998, the Institute for European Studies (IES) is part of the University of British Columbia's ongoing mission to advance international knowledge and research about Europe.
Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, the Institute promotes an exchange of ideas, students and scholars between Canada and Europe, and provides a forum for public debate on European issues through research seminars, workshops, lecture series and international conferences.
With the generous support of the
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) the Institute investigates Germany's place in European affairs. In addition, the Institute gratefully acknowledges the support of the Delegation of the European Commission to advance the study of European integration in Western Canada.
The goals of the Institute for European Studies are as follows:
- To educate a new generation of Canadian experts on contemporary Europe and its role in the world, and on the European Community and its role in the world
- To encourage graduate-level teaching and learning opportunities in European Studies at UBC and in Canada in general
- To facilitate and enhance research with respect to Europe on the part of Canadian scholars and students
- To foster the exchange of ideas, students and scholars between Europe and Western Canada in order to raise mutual awareness, understanding, and expertise
- To inform a wider public in Western Canada about Europe and its increasing economic, cultural and political importance in an interdependent and interconnected world
In pursuit of these goals, the IES has developed four main areas of activity. The first of these is the development of a Master of Arts programme in European Studies (see below). Secondly, the Institute has organized two series of seminars and lectures - Transformations of Europe (primarily a noon-hour series), and German Society and Culture (including the film series Kino & Kaffee). Thirdly, the Institute holds several symposia each year. In the 2003/4 academic year, three one-or two- day seminars will be offered to the UBC community and the general public. Finally, the Institute holds a major international conference every two or three years.
The Institute for European Studies offers a Master of Arts programme in European Studies. With the prospect of the enlargement of the European Community, Europe represents a major political and cultural force as well as a major trading partner for Canadians. Students trained in the MA programme are well equipped to go on to academic research interests focussing on Europe or to pursue professional career opportunities with a European focus. The Masters of Arts in European Studies is awarded on the completion of 30 credits of coursework including five core courses or 21 credits of coursework plus a 9-credit thesis.
The core courses in European Studies address a broad spectrum of cultural, economic, historical, legal and political issues using the theoretical and methodological tools of the core academic disciplines. Whereas much of the emphasis is on the "new Europe," it is essential that the core courses provide historical and cultural perspective, and deal with the forces driving people and states towards unity and diversity in Europe over many centuries. The sequence includes a survey of European history (the idea of Europe itself), a course on European geography (physical and cultural) as well as a comparative study of European economies, politics, legal systems and international exchange, including European integration. Although formal language study is not part of the MA curriculum, students must demonstrate proficiency in a major European language other than English before beginning the second year of the programme.
