When Lander University student Maddie Hudlow receives her diploma on Tuesday, December 15, she will become the first Lander graduate with a minor in European Studies.
The minor is open to students from all majors and consists of three components: British literature, European foreign languages and cultures, and European history. Students take two courses from each group.
The minor came about as the result of a meeting between Professor of English Dr. Jeff Baggett, chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages; Professor of Spanish Dr. Carlos Mentley, director of Lander's Study Abroad program; Professor of Spanish Dr. Pedro Lopes; and Professor of History Dr. Robert Figueira.
"Robert, Carlos, Pedro and I met to see how the classes that we already offer in languages, literature and history might be organized into a minor. Each of us selected existing courses from our own disciplines that would contribute to the program," Baggett said.
He said the minor is already generating interest among students.
"I've had students who are already taking classes in our various disciplines to contact me and say, 'Do you mean if I take two more courses, I can add a minor to my degree?' The minor gives an added incentive to students already taking humanities courses as electives," he said.
According to Mentley, it also makes the prospect of studying abroad more attractive.
"Since our most popular semester and summer abroad programs are in western Europe, a European Studies minor can be both an impetus and a reward for study abroad. Depending on where they study, students can complete up to two-thirds of the minor during a semester overseas," he said.
Figueira was asked why, in his opinion, European studies are important.
"European cultures, histories, languages, and literatures are the most prevalent and influential elements in our own American culture. Most of our students studying abroad study in European universities," he said.
Hudlow, of Alto, Georgia, said that the minor was a perfect way to integrate the work that she did for her history major with other humanities subjects that also interested her, such as French and English literature.
"The minor allowed me to enjoy high-quality instruction from excellent faculty in three different disciplines, stretch my academic capabilities, and learn more about diverse cultures. It encourages students of history to diversify their focus and appreciate how we got to the modern world. The minor has put me in position to explore various educational, personal, and career opportunities in Europe. I am so excited that I had the opportunity to pursue this line of study!" she said.
For more information about Lander University's minor in European Studies, visit www.lander.edu.