European Studies (French pathway) with a year abroad

Course detail Description

The European Studies (French pathway) BA degree course is split between European Studies modules and French-specific modules. You will study a range of modules that cover European politics, political economy, political thought, contemporary history, culture, economics, and law, and then focus on French politics, history, language and contemporary culture.

This degree is a four-year study course composed of optional and required modules totalling 450 credits. Each year at King’s you will take modules totalling 120 credits, except for your third year when you will take 90 credits. In your third year you will study overseas, developing your modern language skills and deepening your understanding of French culture and attitudes to Europe.

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study, with about 15% of your week in scheduled learning and teaching activities and 85% spent in guided independent study. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide support and guidance for your studies.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

The primary methods of assessment for this course are coursework, assessed essays, oral and written examinations and individual and group presentations. Your practical exam in your third year will be taken once you return to King’s College London following your study abroad year.

The Strand Campus, where most of the teaching takes place, is located in the heart of London adjacent to the Thames and close to Covent Garden. No other place in the United Kingdom can compete with London with regards to the opportunities on offer for the study of modern Europe. The library and research facilities available, as well as the range of contacts with cultural institutes, libraries, international firms, journalists, clubs and government agencies, far outstrip anything available elsewhere. Foreign language film showings, exhibitions, political talks and other cultural events take place continually.

Year 3 is spent at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris.

• European Studies (German pathway) BA
• European Studies (Spanish pathway) BA
• European Politics BA

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Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. Students will normally take modules totalling 450 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide upto-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this course page for updates.

You are required to take the following modules:

• Core French Language (30 credits)
• The Making of Modern Europe (30 credits)
• Revolution & Reaction in Modern France: an introduction to modern French History (15 credits)
• French Political Thought (15 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 30 credits from a range of optional “Europe” modules. Modules may typically include:

• Introduction to Politics (30 credits)
• Introduction to International Economics (30 credits)
• Politics and Society in Britain, 1780-1945 (30 credits) [Department of History]
• European Law (30 credits) [The Dickson Poon School of Law]
• The Causes of War (30 credits) [Department of War Studies]
• Principles of Economics (15 credits) [King’s Business School]
• States & Market (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]

Year 2 Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

• Core French Language (15 credits)
• The Integration of the European Union (30 credits)
• Modern French History (15 credits)
• French Political Thought II (15 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 30 credits from a wide range of optional “Europe” modules. Modules may typically include:

• International Political Economy (30 credits)
• Foreign Policy Analysis (30 credits)
• War & Society (30 credits) [Department of War Studies]
• History of the European Cold War (30 credits) [Department of War Studies]
• War in International Order (30 credits) [Department of War Studies]
• Institutions, Identity & Society in Russia & Eurasia (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
• Microeconomics (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• Politics of Central & Eastern Europe (15 credits)
• Macroeconomics (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• Political Theory of Capitalism (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]

You are also required to take 15 credits from a range of optional French modules. Modules may typically include:

• Modernity & the City (15 credits)
• The Idea of France (15 credits)
• Death & Desire: Love in French Literature before 1700 (15 credits)
• The French Novel after 1700 (15 credits)
• French Poetry after 1800 (15 credits)
• Writing the Self in French Literature since 1700 (15 credits)
• French Cinema and its Others (15 credits)

Year 3 Required Modules

You will spend your third year of study in France at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po), where you are required to take modules from the International Programme:

• Exchange Placement Abroad module (60 credits)

Once you have returned to King’s College London following your study abroad year, you will be required to take 30 credits of Aural & Oral Exams as follows:

• Year Abroad Practical Language module (30 credits)

Year 4 Required Modules

You are required to take one of the following modules:

• French Language (15 credits) OR
• The Stylistics of Translation (depending on the level of French) (15 credits)

In addition, you are required to take 60 credits of European Studies optional modules. Modules may typically include:

• European Political Thought (30 credits)
• The Political Economy of Finance & Crisis (30 credits)
• The EU in the International System (30 credits)
• European Political Economy (30 credits)
• Extended Essay (if written on a European topic) (30 credits)
• Britain and EU Integration (15 credits)
• Clandestine Side of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism and Corruption (15 credits)
• Public Policy in Europe (15 credits)
• Russia & the EU (15 credits) [King’s Russia Institute]
• Culture, Identity and Justice (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• The International Politics of the UN (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]
• States and Cities in Political Anthropology (15 credits) [Department of Political Economy]

You are also required to take 45 credits of French optional modules. Modules may typically include:

• Extended Essay (if written on a French topic) (30 credits)

or

• Dissertation (15 credits)
• Contemporary French Politics (30 credits)
• Recent French Thought (15 credits)
• Contemporary Women’s Writing in French (15 credits)
• Citizenship & Exclusion: Republicanism & its Discontents (15 credits)
• Images of Algeria (15 credits)
• Shadows of Enlightenment (15 credits)

(Please note that it is not possible to take both the Extended Essay and Dissertation)

King’s College London reviews the modules it offers on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.