European security: the missing piece of European studies curriculum in the United States

Abstract

This article discusses the state of European security-themed coursework in American higher education institutions. Using a class catalogue search of leading European studies programmes, it finds that European security classes are infrequently taught, and a majority of these programmes do not offer any instruction focusing on this topic. European studies programmes can benefit from adding European security-themed classes to their curriculum. These classes correct curricular imbalance in the discipline, counters the discipline’s inherent EU-centredness, broadens students’ understanding of European governance and potentially attracts new students. At the instructional level, many challenges face professors teaching European security classes – students’ lack of knowledge of Europe and European affairs, a dearth of comprehensive textbooks, and the rapidly evolving nature of the topic – but these challenges can be overcome with careful planning and pedagogy. Ultimately, European studies as an academic discipline in the U.S. can be enriched by incorporating European security into its curriculum in a more comprehensive fashion.

Keywords:

• European studies
• curriculum
• higher education
• pedagogy
• security studies
• international relations
• political science
• EU centres of excellence
• council for European studies