New minor in European Studies now open to students in Class of 2026 and beyond

Bridging insights from history, politics, culture and the arts, the new minor in European Studies (EUS) invites undergraduate students from across disciplines to explore ideas that have shaped Europe’s past and present.

The minor, offered jointly by the Humanities Council’s Program in European Cultural Studies (ECS) and PIIRS’ Program in Contemporary European Politics and Society (EPS), is open to students in the Class of 2026 and beyond. The program of study is overseen by ECS Director Spyros Papapetros, associate professor of architecture, and EPS Director Harold James, Claude and Lore Kelly Professor in European Studies and professor of history and international affairs.

“In no other program at Princeton can students experience such a unique blending of the study of humanities, including literature, music, art, and architecture, with an equally informed knowledge of European history, economy, and politics,” said Papapetros. “Our interdisciplinary seminars bring together a highly original mix of students from European language [programs], social sciences, and science departments with a common interest in current socio-cultural debates.”

The minor provides a comprehensive, global study of Europe — historically and synchronically Ø giving students the opportunity to cover a wide array of time periods and interests, with a focus on interdisciplinarity.

“Some of our students focus on contemporary politics, history and economics, and they learn the lesson that these areas are not only intrinsically interconnected, but also impossible to grasp without a deep understanding of cultural, intellectual and social particularities,” said James.